Tigers pip Falcons

by Dan Scamozzi

Claremont (Reserves) recorded its fourth straight win with a thrilling one-point victory over West Perth at the Showgrounds last Saturday.

Despite trailing at every change, the Tigers ran out 12.8 (80) to 11.13 (79) winners to notch their eighth win for the season and remain in third position on the ladder.

After kicking just one goal in the opening term and trailing by 22 points at quarter-time, the Tigers responded with five goals in the second and six to four after half-time.

Small forward Chris Oakley (three goals), Bailey Bennett and Jacob Sideris were rewarded with debuts after some fine form in the Colts.

Ben Higgs and Gerrick Weedon (nine tackles) both kicked three goals, while Rowen Powell was brilliant with 31 disposals, eight marks and one goal and ruckman Adam Speed more than held his own against his more experienced opponent in Chris Keunen.

Morgan Davies, Toby Plant, Anton Hamp, John Williams and David Ehlers also impressed in the come-from-behind win.

Hamp, Matthew Palfrey, Oakley, Bennett and Sideris all came into the Round 11 team who defeated Swans for Hugo Breakey, Haydn Busher (League), Jared Hardisty (League), Alex Manuel and Ashley Fitzgerald.

West Perth was best served by Mitchell Antonio (27 disposals, nine marks, one goal), Joel Leeson (21 disposals, eight inside 50s, two goals), Jordan Mills (three goals) and Mitchell Peirce, but was left to rue inaccurate goal kicking despite recording four more scoring shots.

Claremont will look to make it five straight wins when it faces fourth-placed Subiaco at Medibank Stadium on Saturday.

CLAREMONT 1.1 6.4 9.5 12.8 (80)

WEST PERTH 4.5 7.7 9.11 11.13 (79)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 C. OAKLEY, G. WEEDON, B. HIGGS, 1 D. ROSS, M. PALFREY, R. POWELL.

WEST PERTH: 3 J. MILLS, 2 J. LEESON, M. FOWLER, 1 M. ANTONIO, A. COE, K. KNOTT, C. KEUNEN.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. ROSS, R. POWELL, G. WEEDON, M. DAVIES, A. HAMP, A. SPEED.

WEST PERTH: M. ANTONIO, J. LEESON, M. PEIRCE, A. COE, J. MILLS.