Tigers Win 11^th Premiership

By Dan Scamozzi

Claremont’s Reserves defeated East Perth by 18 points in the grand final at Domain Stadium last Sunday to secure their first premiership since 2012.

Despite trailing by 20 points at quarter-time, the Tigers won the next three terms and slammed on 12 goals to seven in the process to prevail 14.14 (98) to 12.8 (80).

The result gave Claremont its fourth premiership in seven years and 11^th overall, as the Tigers capped off a fantastic season in style.

Congratulations to the team, coach Kepler Bradley and all of the support staff.

Jack Richardson took home the Merv McIntosh Medal as best on ground following his 12 marks (several contested) and five goals, while Gerrick Weedon continued his terrific form with 21 disposals, five tackles and two goals.

Tom Shanahan was brilliant in midfield with 24 disposals and six inside 50s, while Zac Langdon won 22 disposals, laid nine tackles and kicked one goal.

Harry Sinclair ensured that East Perth’s Steven Payne had no influence on the game, while Luke Maddock and Francis Watson were resolute in Claremont’s defence.

Justin Speed laid 10 tackles, with Claremont laying 18 more than East Perth, recording seven more inside 50s and eight more scoring shots in their memorable victory.

East Perth was led by Jordan Snadden (23 disposals, six marks), while Matthew Allen and Asher Samelko each kicked three goals.

A goal to Keifer Yu gave Claremont an ideal start to the game as the Tigers kicked to the city end of the ground in the opening term, before Richardson doubled the lead after being found by Ben Higgs in a move which was started by Cameron Palmer in defence.

However, the next five goals, including two to Allen and Samelko gave East Perth a 20-point lead at the opening change, with the Tigers needing to regain their composure.

A goal to Matthew Palfrey early in the second term did just that, before Lewis Wilson replied for East Perth.

Yu then allowed Weedon to kick truly, before Allen hit back for East Perth with his third major.

A second to Richardson saw Claremont respond, before a booming goal to Palmer saw the Tigers trailing by just seven points at half-time.

An early goal to Ben Musitano saw Claremont draw level early in the third term, before Shayne Hille replied for East Perth courtesy of a 50m penalty.

Higgs then replied for Claremont after being found by Alex Manuel and gave Claremont the lead, before Mitchell Lague reclaimed it for East Perth courtesy of another 50m penalty.

A third goal to Richardson saw both teams continue to trade goals in an entertaining contest, before a second to Hille gave East Perth a two-point lead at the final change.

A goal to Scott Jones extended the lead to eight points, before Langdon replied for Claremont following a kick forward by Weedon.

Weedon then went from goal provider to scorer with his second following a great mark and kick by Eddie Simpson to give Claremont the lead, before Sinclair made the most of a 50m penalty to give the Tigers an 11-point buffer.

A strong mark then allowed Richardson to kick his fourth goal and give the Tigers four in a row following a clearance by Speed, before Samelko hit back for East Perth with his third major.

However, in a fitting finale, Richardson would have the last say, as a clearance by Shanahan allowed the imposing forward to kick his fifth goal and give the Tigers their second straight win.

CLAREMONT 2.0 6.6 9.11 14.14 (98)

EAST PERTH 5.2 7.7 10.7 12.8 (80)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 5 J. RICHARDSON, 2 G. WEEDON, 1 B. HIGGS, K. YU, M. PALFREY, H. SINCLAIR, C. PALMER, Z. LANGDON, B. MUSITANO.

EAST PERTH: 3 M. ALLEN, A. SAMELKO, 2 S. HILLE, 1 L. WILSON, M. LAGUE, D. ROCHE, S. JONES.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. RICHARDSON, G. WEEDON, T. SHANAHAN, Z. LANGDON, H. SINCLAIR, L. MARTINIS.

EAST PERTH: J. SNADDEN, S. HILLE, M. ALLEN, A. SAMELKO, S. JONES, W. MAGINNESS.

MERV McINTOSH MEDAL: J. RICHARDSON (C).