Tigers Sink Sharks

By Dan Scamozzi

Claremont’s Reserves stormed into their first grand final since 2012 after smashing East Fremantle by 55 points in the preliminary final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Tigers won every term and led at every change in their 15.13 (103) to 6.12 (48) win, as a seven-goal-to-nil second-quarter blitz paved the way for a second final against East Perth in the space of two weeks.

A staunch defence, combined with a dynamic on-ball brigade featuring Gerrick Weedon (22 disposals, six inside 50s, four goals), Zac Langdon (24 disposals, eight marks, seven inside 50s, one goal) and Tom Shanahan (22 disposals, six tackles, seven inside 50s, one goal), resulted in 22 more inside 50s, 10 more scoring shots and nine goal kickers, as Claremont rebounded from its loss to the Royals seven days earlier.

Ben Higgs spearheaded the Tigers’ forward line with six marks and four goals, and was well supported by Jack Richardson (six tackles, one goal), who took home the players’ player award for his selfless performance.

Matthew Ehlers gave Claremont’s midfield first use during their powerful second term with an inspired display in the ruck, while the Tigers also laid seven more tackles in their memorable victory.

East Fremantle was best served by Jesse Adamini (22 disposals, two goals) and Jake Schleicher (26 disposals, one goal), but saw its season ended by a ferocious Tigers outfit.

Claremont kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term, as a dashing run from half-back and pass by Matthew Palfrey enabled Higgs to kick the opening goal of the game and give the Tigers a fast start.

Despite dominating the next 10 minutes of play, Claremont could only add three behinds, as a high-flying mark to East Fremantle’s Andrew Stokes lit up the contest before Toby Plant felt the full wrath of the Shark as he attempted to repeat the dose three minutes later.

A second goal to Higgs resulted from a spearing pass by Justin Speed and gave Claremont a 16-point lead, before Weedon quickly added the Tigers’ third courtesy of a free-kick.

Majors to Jeff Carter and Jacob Green saw the Sharks respond, before an after-the-siren goal to M. Ehlers gave Claremont a 16-point lead at quarter-time.

Coach Kepler Bradley praised the Tigers’ “good start”, with the hard-working Langdon accumulating 10 disposals, including nine kicks, in the opening term.

Selling a dummy and a cool finish on the outside of the boot saw Weedon kick his second and Claremont’s fifth goal to start the second term, before consecutive 50m penalties a minute later saw the powerful Tiger register his third major and establish a 27-point lead.

Speed then intercepted a pass and finished with aplomb on the run to make it four goals in a row, before Higgs benefited from a kick forward by Palfrey to join Weedon with three goals.

With Claremont now completely on top through midfield and surging the ball forward at every opportunity, a desperate chase and tackle by Richardson enabled Weedon to kick his fourth major, before Harrison Court added his name to the goal kickers’ list after some great work by Eddie Simpson and a smart handball from Higgs.

A thumping kick by Williams was marked and goaled by Shanahan to give Claremont eight consecutive goals on the back of a scintillating second term, as the Tigers took a 53-point lead into half-time after 28 minutes of pure dominance.

When Ben Musitano found Higgs for his fourth goal, it gave the Tigers nine in a row and a 59-point advantage at the eight-minute mark of the third term, before Schleicher kicked East Fremantle’s first goal since the 27-minute mark of the first quarter.

Adrian Ricciardello then gave the Sharks consecutive majors, before Keifer Yu flew highest to pull in a sensational mark.

A late goal to Richardson saw Claremont turn for home with a 54-point buffer, as Bradley implored the team to keep switching the play and keep up the momentum.

A strong overhead mark saw Langdon give Claremont first blood in every term and extend the Tigers’ lead to 62 points early in the final quarter, before East Fremantle’s Josh Cuneo pulled in a massive mark.

Adamini then kicked the Sharks’ fifth goal, before a kick from Watson was marked and goaled by Musitano to give Claremont a quick reply.

Adamini added his second before teammate Lewis Krakouer found his way into the umpire’s book for an off-the-ball incident which topped off a dirty day for the Sharks, but on the flipside, resulted in a golden opportunity for the Tigers.

Claremont will look to win its first Reserves premiership since 2012 when it faces East Perth at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

CLAREMONT 4.4 11.4 13.9 15.13 (103)

EAST FREMANTLE 2.0 2.5 4.9 6.12 (48)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 B. HIGGS, G. WEEDON, 1 Z. LANGDON, B. MUSITANO, H. COURT, M. EHLERS, J. SPEED, T. SHANAHAN, J. RICHARDSON.

EAST FREMANTLE: 2 J. ADAMINI, 1 A. RICCIARDELLO, J. SCHLEICHER, J. CARTER, J. GREEN.

BEST

CLAREMONT: G. WEEDON, Z. LANGDON, J. RICHARDSON, L. MARTINIS, B. HIGGS, M. EHLERS.

EAST FREMANTLE: J. ADAMINI, J. SCHLEICHER, J. CUNEO, M. BOYLE.