Tigers Continue Winning Run

Claremont have registered their third consecutive win after the Tigers proved too good for East Perth in difficult conditions at the Showgrounds.

The Tigers restricted the Royals to their lowest ever score between the two sides in their 39-point win, 8.12 (60) to 2.9 (21), and continued their strong momentum after a slow start to the season.

A ferocious attack on the football and constant pressure were highlights in the hosts’ victory, as a disappointing Royals’ side had no answers to the Tigers’ superiority and failed to kick a goal in the second half.

Kiefer Yu, Ryan Neates, Corey Yeo and Matthew Davies were all ball winners for the Tigers, while Beau Maister returned from a four-match suspension in place of Jordan McAllister.

Kepler Bradley made marking look easy in tricky conditions as the utility pulled in several strong grabs, while the hard-working Aaron Holt and Shane McAdam applied constant pressure on their opponents and saw their efforts rewarded with two goals apiece.

Mark Seaby and Darcy Cameron combined for an intriguing ruck duel with East Perth big man Paul Johnson, while Davies’ rebound across half-back was once again a feature for the Tigers.

The Tigers elected to kick to the southern end of the ground in the opening term as a howling breeze favoured the direction, however, the opening ten minutes were a scrap, with both teams adjusting to the blustery conditions and struggling to gain any ascendancy.

When the returning Maister marked a long kick forward by John Williams (playing his 50^th game) at the 11-minute mark, the forward kicked the opening goal and gave the Tigers an eight-point lead.

Tom Ledger then let fly from 55m three minutes later following a handball from McAdam and a great tackle by Holt moments earlier, as the Tigers kicked their second major and took a 13-point lead.

Francis Watson then gave everyone at the ground a look into his unique talents as he pulled in a high-flying mark, before a fantastic smother by Ryan Lim signalled the Tigers’ intent and desire for the contest.

McAdam then kicked truly after being awarded a free kick to hand the Tigers a 20-point lead, before Tom Shanahan kicked the Royals’ first goal at the 23-minute mark.

The Tigers’ reward for their early dominance was a 13-point lead at the first change, as coach Michael Broadbridge paid tribute to Holt’s tackling and pressure.

A goal to former Claremont Colts’ player Alec Waterman at the three-minute mark of the second term saw the Royals close to within six points, however, astonishingly, that would be the final major of the game for the visitors.

A great chase and tackle by McAdam at the nine-minute mark continued the Tigers’ hard-working theme for the match, before reliable defender Brandon Franz prevented a certain Royals’ major with a mark on the goal line.

Bradley was continuing to haul in strong marks, while Ledger was starting to win his fair share of the football as the Tigers kicked into a strong breeze.

Another inspiring chase and tackle by McAdam paved the way for Neates to kick truly at the 25-minute mark following a strong mark and 50m penalty, with the Tigers taking an 11-point lead into half-time.

The third term would get underway in torrential rain as a dark ground and heavy conditions made viewing difficult, with an arm-wrestle engulfing the opening 14 minutes of play as neither side were able to gain an upper hand.

A second goal to McAdam after the silky forward gathered the crumbs at ground level gave the Tigers a 19-point lead at the 15-minute mark, before a goal to Bradley followed another tackle and assist by McAdam four minutes later and saw the lead extended to 25 points.

A long kick forward by Haydn Busher allowed Holt to run into an open goal and give the Tigers a 29-point lead as another dominant term with the breeze saw the hosts turn for home 30 points in front.

East Perth had the chance to trim the Tigers’ lead in the opening minute of the final term after co-captain Brendan Lee marked strongly in front of goal, however, the Royal shanked his effort as the visitors struggled to build any momentum.

A scrappy term saw just the one goal registered as Holt kicked truly following a pass by McAdam to give the Tigers a 37-point lead at the 19-minute mark, with the hosts well and truly deserving of their victory in trying conditions.

Seaby took home the players’ player award for his efforts around the ground, while the Tigers had a number of winners across the board on a dark day for the Royals.

The win sees the Tigers improve their record to three wins and five losses, and has the team sitting in eighth position on the ladder.

The Tigers will look to make it four wins in a row when they host Peel Thunder at the Showgrounds on May 30.

CLAREMONT 3.3 4.4 7.8 8.12 (60)

EAST PERTH 1.2 2.5 2.8 2.9 (21)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 A. HOLT, S. MCADAM, 1 K. BRADLEY, R. NEATES, T. LEDGER, B. MAISTER

EAST PERTH: 1 A. WATERMAN, T. SHANAHAN

BEST

CLAREMONT: R. NEATES, C. YEO, K. YU, M. DAVIES, K. BRADLEY, M. SEABY, S. MCADAM, A. HOLT

EAST PERTH: P. JOHNSON, S. PAYNE, T. BARASS, K. LUCAS