Tigers denied by Thunder

By Dan Scamozzi

Despite recording 11 more inside 50s, Claremont lacked avenues to goal in its 25-point defeat to Peel Thunder at the Showgrounds last Saturday.

In what was the final home-and-away game for the season and coach Michael Broadbridge’s last in charge of Claremont, the Tigers got off to a slow start and never recovered in their 6.9 (45) to 10.10 (70) defeat.

The result meant Claremont finished the season with a 7-13 record in seventh position on the ladder, while Peel (11-9) secured fourth position and will host East Perth in the elimination final.

A five-goal-to-one opening term set up Peel’s win, as the visitors led at every change in what was a forgettable encounter played in difficult conditions.

Claremont’s final score was its lowest for the season and lowest ever against Peel.

Jye Bolton led the way for Claremont, as he has done all season, with 33 disposals and eight inside 50s, while Tom Ledger (31 disposals), Jared Hardisty (30 disposals, one goal) and captain Jake Murphy (23 disposals, one goal) battled manfully.

However, Justin Speed was Claremont’s only multiple goal kicker with two majors, as the Tigers saw their frustrating season come to an end.

Peel’s Tendai Mzungu starred with 34 disposals and one goal, while Rory O’Brien (34 disposals) and Josh Deluca (28) were strong contributors.

Tanner Smith kicked two goals in the opening term before succumbing to injury in his 50^th game, while Jack Hannath, Gerald Ugle and Brayden Lawler kicked two apiece.

Peel’s defence was miserly – the Thunder conceded the second-lowest amount of points for the home-and-away season – and was led by Sam Collins as the visitors kept Tigers’ pair Darcy Cameron and Jack Bradshaw goalless after the duo shared 13 goals between them against East Fremantle seven days earlier.

Gerrick Weedon was a late inclusion for Beau Maister (concussion) and lined up for his 50^th game, as Claremont kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term.

Goals to Smith, Hannath and Ugle gave Peel a fast start and 18-point lead halfway through the opening term, with the visitors looking too slick for a lacklustre Claremont.

A second to Smith extended Peel’s lead, before Murphy capitalised on some ill-discipline from Peel’s Nick Suban and a 50m penalty to kick the Tigers’ first major.

However, Claremont’s joy was short-lived, as a second goal to Hannath gave Peel five for the term and saw the Tigers trailing by 25 points at the first break after recording just five inside 50s.

Goals to Hardisty and Ian Richardson gave Claremont a quick start to the second term and saw the Tigers close to within 13 points, before Lawler replied for Peel.

Jon Griffin then outmuscled Anton Hamp to kick Peel’s seventh major and give the visitors a 26-point lead at half-time.

A running goal to Speed gave Claremont an ideal start to the second half, before a stalemate engulfed the next 25 minutes of play, with neither team able to gain any ascendancy.

Bailey Banfield then kicked his first League goal after starring on debut seven days earlier to give Claremont consecutive majors and pull the Tigers to within 16 points.

However, Peel hit back through a second goal to Ugle and a major to the prolific Mzungu on the three-quarter-time siren to give the visitors a 28-point lead at the final change.

A second goal to Speed at the eight-minute mark of the final term saw Claremont close to within 18 points, however, a second to Lawler ensured there would be no comeback by the Tigers.

CLAREMONT 1.0 3.2 5.4 6.9 (45)

PEEL THUNDER 5.1 7.4 9.8 10.10 (70)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 J. SPEED, 1 I. RICHARDSON, J. MURPHY, J. HARDISTY, B. BANFIELD.

PEEL THUNDER: 2 J. HANNATH, T. SMITH, B. LAWLER, G. UGLE, 1 J. GRIFFIN, T. MZUNGU.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. HARDISTY, T. LEDGER, J. BOLTON, J. MURPHY, J. SPEED, R. LIM.

PEEL THUNDER: T. MZUNGU, R. O’BRIEN, J. HANNATH, J. DELUCA, S. COLLINS, R. NYHUIS.

CROWD: 958.