BY DAN SCAMOZZI

Key forward Max Minear responded to his League omission in strong fashion with a game-high four goals as the mighty Claremont Tigers defeated South Fremantle by 13 points in the Reserves qualifying final in splendid conditions at New Choice Homes Park.

Trailing by six points at the final change in a low-scoring and scrappy contest, Claremont kicked five goals to two in the final term with the breeze at their backs to prevail 10.7 (67) to 8.6 (54) and set up a semifinal showdown with West Perth.

Coach Darren Harper implored Claremont to improve their skill execution and eradicate their turnovers during a passionate three-quarter-time address, with the Tigers adhering to the message as they overran the Bulldogs.

Along with Minear, who was the most dangerous forward on the ground, captain and hard-running wingman Sam Alvarez (game-high 34 disposals, six marks, four inside 50s, one goal) gave Claremont tremendous service, while key defender Jacob Blight (22 disposals, game-high 10 marks) continued his outstanding form with his astute reading of the play and strong marking.

Fittingly, Alvarez and Blight tied for the players' player award.

Powerful midfielder Ronin O'Connor (25 disposals, six tackles) also responded to his League omission in strong fashion as he won the ball at the coalface, while rebounding defender Alex Pearce (25 disposals, nine marks) ably assisted Blight and helped repel the Bulldogs on several occassions.

Travis Abbott and Nathan Spooner kicked two goals apiece for South Fremantle, who will face Subiaco in the other semifinal.

Defender Marc Boyatzis (game-high six inside 50s, one goal) returned from a calf injury as another inclusion to the Claremont team as Alvarez elected to kick to the southern end of the ground in the opening term, Minear kicking the first goal in the eighth minute.

Abbott replied for the Bulldogs seven minutes later before Minear traded passes with fellow forward Kai Harwood (one goal) and finished brilliantly from the pocket, Blight already imposing himself on the contest as Claremont took a five-point lead at the first change.

Harper praised Claremont's intensity but encouraged them to attack the corridor and kick the ball long inside 50, Jake Hinder giving the Bulldogs a two-point lead after kicking truly in the eighth minute of the second term.

Kendyll Blurton, returning for his first game since round 15, restored Claremont's lead before Spooner kicked his first goal after the Bulldogs broke through the Tigers far too easily on the wing.

Dashing defender Cameron Anderson then delivered a spearing pass inside 50 to creative forward Zac Mainwaring who kicked truly moments before half-time to give Claremont a six-point lead at the main break.

Claremont began the second half with forward Patrick Kitchener in the midfield, consecutive goals to Spooner (second) and Jaxon Bellchambers giving the Bulldogs a six-point lead before Tigers wingman Ben Clarke couragously went back with the flight of the ball in defensive 50.

Kitchener then won a holding-the-ball free kick in the same area of the ground, Claremont subsequently wisking the ball forward and kicking truly through Alvarez.

A 100m penalty gifted Abbott his second goal and gave the Bulldogs their six-point lead at the final change, Harper highlighting the fact that they had kicked the majority of their score as a result of Claremont's turnovers.

Claremont began the final term with another positional change as defender Josh Sukuroski swapped with forward Coen Jackman, Harwood winning a holding-the-ball free kick at full-forward and kicking truly in the fourth minute to level the scores.

An electric run through midfield from South Fremantle's Darryl Anderson allowed teammate Aiden Hall to restore the Bulldogs' lead, Boyatzis replying with a miraculous snap from deep in the pocket to level the scores once again.

Pearce hauled in another mark before speedy midfielder Bailey Bennett (team-high seven tackles) finished with aplomb from 50m on the run, Minear kicking his third goal after earning a free kick and converting a 50m peanlty.

Lachlan Taylor replied immediately for the Bulldogs to trim Claremont's lead to seven points, Minear fittingly kicking his fourth and the final goal of the game to leave the Tigers just one win away from a grand final appearance.

League coach Ash Prescott praised Minear's matchwinning performance.

“He’s a promising young forward that’s coming through. He went out of the team last week but went back and played some good footy,” Prescott told The West Australian.

CLAREMONT 2.1 4.5 5.6 10.7 (67)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 1.2 3.5 6.6 8.6 (54)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 M. Minear, 1 S. Alvarez, B. Bennett, K. Blurton, M. Boyatzis, K. Harwood, Z. Mainwaring.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: 2 T. Abbott, N. Spooner, 1 A. Hall, L. Taylor, J. Bellchambers, J. Hinder.

BEST

CLAREMONT: S. Alvarez, M. Minear, R. O'Connor, J. Blight, A. Pearce.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: J. Salmeri, J. Sax, J. Bellchambers, B. Rioli, G. Wessels.