Tigers Claw Past Demons | Round 20 League Match Report

Claremont has won three consecutive games for the first time under coach Michael Broadbridge following a 37-point victory over Perth at the Show Grounds.

The Tigers’ win was built on the back of a nine-goal third quarter, with the hosts prevailing 17.8 (110) to 10.13 (73).

With the Tigers coming off a bye in round 19, turnovers by foot and hand were common in the opening quarter on a perfect day for football.

A goal to vice-captain Trinity Handley at the four-minute mark resulted from a free-kick, following a tense and sloppy start from both sides.

It took 13 minutes before the next score arrived, with Jack Bradshaw registering a behind after both sides cancelled each other out with poor use of the football.

Callum Collard kicked the first of his four goals moments later, with the Demons reducing the margin to one point at the 18-minute mark.

Playing in his 100th game of League football, Matt Moody then capitalised on a Tigers’ turnover to give Perth a five-point lead at the 20-minute mark of the opening term.

Just the three goals were kicked between the two sides, as Perth took a four-point lead into quarter-time after an opening term to forget.

Broadbridge urged his team to move the football quicker and take the game on in the second quarter, while free kicks against were an area the Tigers needed to address.

A goal to Ben Daniher at the six-minute mark of the second term saw the Tigers regain the lead, before Gerald Ugle responded to put the Demons back in front.

Matthew Hunt earned a second shot at goal after being pushed in the back following his original kick, and when he converted the Demons were out to a 14-point lead at the 19-minute mark.

A second to Collard from deep in the pocket gave the Demons their third consecutive goal, along with a 20-point lead at the 22-minute mark.

With the Tigers needing someone to stand up and arrest the Demons’ dominance, captain Jake Murphy rallied to kick two crucial goals just before half-time, reducing the margin to eight points.

The Tigers had been disappointing in the opening half, with poor use of the football not allowing the forward line to have an impact on the game.

Too many turnovers were taking place, with slow ball-movement and poor skills playing into the hands of Perth.

A third consecutive goal to Murphy gave the Tigers a perfect start to the second half, with the inspirational skipper snapping truly as the hosts started to gain the ascendancy.

A goal to ruckman Mark Seaby at the 10-minute mark of the third term resulted from a spearing pass by vice-captain Luke Blackwell, and suddenly the Tigers had hit the front on the back of four consecutive goals.

Anton Hamp would be the next player to benefit from Blackwell’s exquisite foot skills, as he nailed a booming goal to give the Tigers a 10-point lead at the 11-minute mark.

A second goal to Seaby resulted from a kick to advantage by ruck partner Mitch McGovern, as the Tigers threatened to run away with the contest.

Incredibly, the Tigers had kicked six consecutive goals after trailing by 20 points late in the second term, to lead by 16 points.

However, the Demons were far from beaten, rattling off the next four goals including two more to Collard (four) to take a seven-point lead at the 23-minute mark of a pulsating third term.

Handley then dribbled through his second goal, as the Tigers’ long kicking into the forward line continued to trouble Perth’s defenders.

Bradshaw kicked his first major after a wonderful pass by Murphy to give the Tigers a five-point lead at the 26-minute mark, before goals to Neates, Handley (third) and Bradshaw (second) gave the Tigers a 23-point lead at three-quarter-time.

In what was a remarkable third term, the Tigers kicked the first four goals, only for the Demons to kick the next four, before the Tigers responded with the final five in a 34-minute quarter that was a highlights bonanza.

Broadbridge encouraged his players to keep the “foot on the throat” in the final term, while maintaining the pressure on the opposition.

The Tigers also had the advantage of an extra week’s rest, as they looked to outrun the Demons.

A goal to Christian Eyres resulting from a 50m penalty ensured that the Tigers’ work was far from done, with Perth reducing the margin to 17 points.

A strong mark and third goal to the best-on-ground Seaby came after a long kick by Murphy, giving the Tigers a 23-point lead at the 11-minute mark of the final term.

Tom Willett then capped off his solid game in defence with a fantastic running goal, which included efforts from Blackwell and Tom Ledger in moving the ball forward.

McGovern then lit up the game with two late goals, including an outstanding pack-mark after a long kick by Handley, as the Tigers continued their outstanding recent form, while maintaining their excellent run at the Show Grounds.

The win was Claremont’s sixth from eight games at the venue, and proved how much the club has improved since a 65-point loss to the Demons in round one.

Seaby took home the players’ player award for his outstanding efforts, which included 40 hit outs, 19 disposals, 10 marks and three goals.

The Tigers also had several ball winners including Neates (37), Ledger (31), Blackwell (29), Matt Davies (27), Tom Taylor (24), Murphy and Corey Yeo (21).

The score of 17.8 (110) was the highest score Claremont has recorded this season, and saw the club take home the “Pyke Cup”, which was named after Father and Son duo Frank & Don Pyke.

The Tigers have now won five of their last six games, and move into outright fifth position, one game clear of West Perth.

The Tigers travel to Medibank Stadium in round 21 to face second-placed Subiaco.

CLAREMONT 1.2 4.5 13.7 17.8 (110)

PERTH 2.1 5.7 9.8 10.13 (73)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 M. SEABY, J. MURPHY, T. HANDLEY, 2 J. BRADSHAW, M. MCGOVERN, 1 R. NEATES, T. WILLETT, B. DANIHER, A. HAMP

PERTH: 4 C. COLLARD, 2 G. UGLE, 1 C. BATEMAN, M. HUNT, C. EYRES, M. MOODY

BEST

CLAREMONT: M. SEABY, R. NEATES, J. MURPHY, T. HANDLEY, L. BLACKWELL, T. LEDGER, M. DAVIES

PERTH: C. COLLARD, D. WHITE, A. TROPIANO