Sharks too slippery for Tigers

by Dan Scamozzi

Claremont’s finals chances hang by a thread after the Tigers suffered an agonising five-point defeat to East Fremantle at the Showgrounds last Saturday.

Despite being smashed in inside 50s and scoring shots, the Tigers almost pinched the game in the dying stages, but couldn’t find a way home as the Sharks prevailed 6.17 (53) to 7.6 (48).

The loss extends Claremont’s losing streak to five games and leaves it three wins outside the top five in seventh position.

Keifer Yu, recalled after a dominant performance for Claremont’s Reserves a week earlier, lead the way with 29 disposals, while Ian Richardson continued his fine form with 23.

Darcy Cameron took his goal tally for the season to 20 with two majors, while Beau Maister took nine marks and kicked one goal.

And Cameron Palmer made a fine debut after some consistent form in the Reserves.

East Fremantle was best served by Liam Anthony (33 disposals, six tackles) and the in-form George Hampson (31 disposals, 11 marks, eight inside 50s and two goals), while Jesse Crichton laid 12 tackles and Brock O’Brien continued his outstanding form across half-back.

The win was East Fremantle’s sixth for the season and fourth in a row, and gave the Sharks their first victory at the venue since Round 9, 2011.

Yu, Jack Beeck and Palmer came into the Claremont team who lost to Subiaco for Dylan Ross, Haydn Busher and Harrison McCracken.

East Fremantle took a one-point lead at half-time following a scrappy first half in tricky conditions, but blew the game open in the third term by kicking 3.4 to Claremont’s 1.1.

Despite trailing by 16 points at the final change, a brave charge by the Tigers saw them kick two goals to nil in the final term, however, their efforts were not enough to deny the Sharks.

Claremont will now turn its attention to Swan Districts at the Showgrounds in Round 11.

Meanwhile, Claremont continued its fine form in the Reserves with a 34-point win over East Fremantle, 12.6 (78) to 6.8 (44).

But the Colts suffered a 24-point defeat to the Sharks, 5.3 (33) to 8.9 (57).

CLAREMONT 3.1 4.2 5.3 7.6 (48)

EAST FREMANTLE 3.5 3.9 6.13 6.17 (53)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 D. CAMERON, 1 J. RICHARDSON, J. BRADSHAW, T. LEDGER, R. LIM, B. MAISTER.

EAST FREMANTLE: 2 G. HAMPSON, 1 J. BRISTOW, B. O’BRIEN, F. PERRY, T. BRISTOW.

BEST

CLAREMONT: I. RICHARDSON, K. YU, D. CAMERON, T. SHANAHAN, M. DAVIES, C. PALMER.

EAST FREMANTLE: G. HAMPSON, L. ANTHONY, B. O’BRIEN, D. ANTHONY, J. SCHOFIELD, J. BRISTOW.