By Daniel Scamozzi

Claremont produced a ruthless and dominant performance to smash Perth by 46 points at Lathlain Park in round 19 and win the Pyke Cup, moving the Tigers into fifth position on the ladder with just two rounds of the home-and-away season remaining.

The 19.11 (125) to 11.13 (79) triumph was built on the back of fierce pressure, ferocious tackling, hard running, immaculate kicking and ball movement, and featured every Tiger playing their role as the team kicked its highest score of the season and recorded its seventh win.

Tenacious midfielder Jared Hardisty (six tackles, two goals) recorded a team-high 29 disposals and deservedly won the players’ player award for his outstanding performance that included hard running and precise kicking, while fellow midfielder Tom Curren (26 disposals, one goal) was also brilliant and regularly sent the team forward.

Ruckman Oliver Eastland (15 disposals, 35 hit-outs) had an enthralling duel with Perth’s Christian Eyres and continues to impress with his tap-work and work around the ground, while the dashing Jack Beeck (21 disposals) took a team-high eight marks, sent the Tigers inside 50m eight times and kicked two booming goals from tight angles.

Meanwhile, the unflappable Anton Hamp (seven marks) blanketed Perth’s Spencer White and was again outstanding in defence, while fellow defender Jordan Clark (16 disposals, six marks, four tackles) made an impressive debut.

Tom Lee kicked a team-high three goals and was one of 11 goal kickers, while Haydn Busher and Bailey Rogers returned from injury and replaced Jesse Laurie (omitted) and Addison Dew (omitted).

Joint vice-captain Kane Mitchell (calf) was unavailable for selection.

Former Tiger Corey Yeo recorded 38 disposals for the Demons, while Michael Bennell kicked three goals, however, the hosts were no match for the rampaging Tigers on a glorious afternoon for football.

Captain Ian Richardson won the toss of the coin and elected to kick to the southern end of the ground in the opening term with the aid of a slight breeze, and reached another milestone when he kicked the first goal of the game – the 400^th of his outstanding career.

Keifer Yu then intercepted a pass from the Demons before sending the ball straight through the middle, before Jye Bolton kicked a brilliant goal from the pocket to give the Tigers three consecutive majors and a 19-point lead in the 12^th minute.

A great tackle from the hardworking Alex Manuel on White earned the Tiger a free kick and epitomised the team’s appetite for the contest, before two quick goals from Bennell trimmed the Tigers’ lead to six points at quarter-time.

Nine more inside 50s than the Demons should have resulted in a bigger advantage on the scoreboard, however, coach Darren Harris lauded the Tigers’ start to the game and will to hunt the opposition.

A third goal to Bennell levelled scores in the opening minute of the second term, however, what came next was some of the Tigers’ most stunning football of the season.

A perfectly-weighted pass from Richardson to Lee resulted in the Tigers’ fourth goal before Richardson quickly added his second major, with a great mark and pass from Hamp at half-back instigating the play.

Goals to Tom Ledger, J. Hardisty and Kaiden Gilbert gave the Tigers five consecutive majors and a 30-point lead, before Yeo briefly halted the onslaught with the Demons’ fourth major.

Enter Beeck.

A booming finish from the boundary line at the northern end of the ground will earn the fan favourite a goal-of-the-year nomination and was the team’s ninth major, before Lachlan Martinis made the Demons pay from a 50m penalty.

Lee (second) then set sail from well outside 50m and kicked the Tigers’ 11^th goal of the half to give the team a commanding 41-point lead at half-time on the back of a sizzling eight-goals-to-two term.

The barnstorming half also featured nine goal kickers for the Tigers as the team shared the ball among the players and sliced through the Demons with its sweeping forays forward.

A second goal to J. Hardisty in the opening 30 seconds of the second half proved that the Tigers were in no mood to rest on their laurels, before majors to Gilbert (second) and Curren extended the lead to 58 points.

Outstanding pressure from the Tigers was forcing the helpless Demons into constant turnovers, before three consecutive goals from the hosts briefly halted the visitors’ momentum.

Enter Beeck.

Another booming finish from the boundary line, this time at the southern end of the ground, was the Tigers’ 15^th major, before Lee soon kicked his third to extend the lead to 54 points.

Richardson then took a screamer before the Tigers turned for home with a 53-point advantage.

Another booming goal, this time from Bolton (second), gave the Tigers a game-high 59-point lead in the second minute of the final term, before Clark showed what he’s capable of after taking a great mark in defence.

Three quick goals from the Demons added some respectability to the scoreboard for the hosts, before a brilliant smother from Declan Hardisty in midfield resulted in Manuel kicking the Tigers’ 18^th major.

The fact that his teammates went to congratulate D. Hardisty for his inspirational play further emphasised the Tigers’ mateship and commitment for one another.

A great spoil from Eastland at half-back soon after was another example of the Tigers’ work ethic, before Manuel kicked his second goal.

A late goal from the previously unsighted White provided the Demons with a skerrick of consolation, though the day well and truly belonged to the brilliant Tigers.

The Tigers will aim for consecutive wins and to further consolidate their position in the top five when they host Peel Thunder at Claremont Oval in round 20.

CLAREMONT 3.4 11.6 16.9 19.11 (125)

PERTH 2.4 4.7 7.10 11.13 (79)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 T. Lee, 2 I. Richardson, J. Beeck, J. Bolton, J. Hardisty, A. Manuel, K. Gilbert, 1 K. Yu, T. Curren, T. Ledger, L. Martinis.

PERTH: 3 M. Bennell, 2 B. Colledge, B. Johnson, 1 C. Yeo, S. White, M. Jones, S. Stack.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Hardisty, T. Curren, O. Eastland, J. Beeck, A. Hamp.

PERTH: B. Colledge, C. Giblett, M. Sinclair, C. Yeo, B. Johnson.