TIGERS PIPPED BY DEMONS

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

A late goal from former Tiger Jack Richardson handed Claremont Reserves their first loss since the opening round of the season as Perth prevailed by four points in the second semifinal at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Leading by two points in the final minute of a tight and even contest, the Tigers couldn’t prevent Richardson from taking a pack mark close to goal, as he kicked truly just moments before the final siren to help Perth prevail 11.6 (72) to 10.8 (68).

The result sets up a clash between Claremont and Subiaco in the preliminary final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday afternoon, with the winner to face Perth in the grand final.

Emerging defender Louis Passera, who was again handed the job of guarding Perth veteran Matt Rogers, played his role with aplomb as he blanketed the burly forward to win best player, with teammate Luke Knight also starring in defence with his positioning and spoiling.

Inside midfielder Ben Elliott (game-high 23 disposals, equal team-high four inside 50s) led the way in midfield as he won the ball and sent the Tigers forward, with key forward Max Minear (six tackles, team-high three goals) providing a focal point and maintaining his fine form.

Speedy midfielder Bailey Bennett (seven tackles, equal team-high four inside 50s, one goal) also gave Claremont terrific service along with hardworking forward Tyron Smallwood (team-high eight tackles, two goals), while fellow forward Anthony Treacy (one goal) returned for his first game at any level since round 17 after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, defender Marc Boyatzis won the players’ player award, while captain and in-form wingman Ben Rushforth (six marks, one goal) sustained an unfortunate calf injury early in the second half and took no further part in the game.

With Rushforth electing to kick to the Claremont end of the ground in sunny and warm conditions, the Tigers lined up with their captain and Sam Alvarez occupying the wings, Kieran Gowdie in the ruck, Jacob Blight at full-back and Isaiah Butters at full-forward, before repeat efforts from Smallwood led to Bennett kicking the opening goal.

Blight then denied Perth with a goal-saving touch on the last line of defence, the returning Treacy converting a kick inside 50 from fellow forward Zac Mainwaring to give Claremont what would turn out to be a game-high 12-point lead.

Knight then denied Perth with a brilliant smother in defensive 50, goals to Christian Eyres and Jack Steel drawing the Demons level before a terrific chase and tackle from Minear won the Tiger a free kick at half-forward.

Former Tiger Corey Yeo kicked truly from a tight angle after the quarter-time siren to give Perth three consecutive goals and a five-point lead at the first break, with Claremont coach Darren Harper praising the Tigers’ tackling and contested possession but instructing them to improve their skill level.

Minear snapped truly early in the second term to reclaim Claremont’s lead before Perth replied through Jack Bodle, goals to Smallwood and Rushforth giving the Tigers an eight-point lead in the 15^th minute.

Perth’s Jayden Quill kicked the first of his two goals to trim the margin to one point, Minear converting a brilliant kick inside 50 from Alvarez to give Claremont a seven-point lead at half-time.

Rushforth then limped from the field early in the second half in a bitter blow for the Tigers, as Perth kicked consecutive goals to edge in front, Smallwood replying with his second goal before a dashing run and squaring pass from Elliott set up Mainwaring for his first major.

However, another goal from Eyres drew Perth level at the final break, with Harper urging Claremont to take the game on.

A third goal to Minear gave the Tigers a perfect start to the final term before key defender Bill Reilly denied Perth with a goal-saving touch on the last line of defence, a second goal to Quill again levelling the scores before former Tiger Jye Clark suffered concussion in a collision with Boyatzis which halted the game for several minutes.

A second goal to Steel edged Perth back in front, Gowdie reclaiming the lead for Claremont before the previously unsighted Richardson stepped up to snatch the win for the Demons.

Meanwhile, Claremont Colts overcame a 14-point deficit at the final break to run all over Swan Districts by nine points, 11.14 (80) to 11.5 (71), and book their spot in the grand final.

CLAREMONT 2.3 6.4 8.5 10.8 (68)

PERTH 3.2 5.3 8.5 11.6 (72)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 M. Minear, 2 T. Smallwood, 1 B. Bennett, A. Treacy, B. Rushforth, Z. Mainwaring, K. Gowdie.

PERTH: 3 J. Steel, 2 C. Eyres, J. Quill, 1 C. Yeo, J. Richardson, M. Rogers, J. Bodle.

BEST

CLAREMONT: L. Passera, L. Knight, B. Elliott, M. Minear, B. Bennett.

PERTH: C. Eyres, J. Quill, S. Perkusich, C. McPartland, B. Gray, C. Yeo.