Round 2 Preview Claremont vs. West Perth

Claremont will be looking to bounce back from their round one loss to Perth when they take on reigning premiers West Perth at Arena Joondalup this Saturday.

Like the Tigers, the Falcons had a disappointing start to their season when they lost to East Fremantle by three points.

The Tigers will be without vice-captain Trinity Handley after he suffered a hamstring injury in the loss to the Demons, while the Falcons could be without reigning club champion Andrew Strijk after he suffered a shoulder injury in the loss to the Sharks.

The midfield battle between the two teams could prove pivotal, with Luke Blackwell, Jake Murphy, Andrew Foster, Matt Orzel and Ryan Neates coming up against the likes of Aaron Black, Shane Nelson, Jay van Berlo, Matt Guadagnin and Ray Bartholomew.

The ruck battle also promises to be fascinating, with former Falcon Mark Seaby coming up against Chris Keunen.

The two teams will look to improve the quality of their ball use, after turnovers and poor skill execution were telling in round one.

With both sides managing a combined tally of 19 goals in the opening round, a fast start could be on the cards as both teams look to move the ball quickly into their forward line.

With no player from either side kicking more than two goals in round one, we may see more of the same as the talent from both midfield groups look to help out the forwards.

The Tigers emerged victorious in both encounters between the two teams last season, including a 21 point victory at Arena Joondalup in round 12, however, the Falcons recorded a four point victory in the 2^nd Semi Final on their way to winning the premiership.

The Tigers will be looking to give Broadbridge his first senior win as coach, while the Falcons will have the unfurling of the premiership flag before the game.

by Dan Scamozzi