By Daniel Scamozzi

A brilliant and dominant performance from returning midfielder Declan Mountford helped Claremont record a 22-point win against Perth in glorious conditions at Lathlain Park.

Despite trailing by 19 points at half-time, the Tigers kicked eight unanswered goals in a scintillating third term to prevail 13.8 (86) to 9.10 (64) in the first of their two pre-season matches.

Mountford, back at Tigerland after three seasons and 12 games with North Melbourne in the AFL, starred with his ball-winning ability, strength in the contest and composure, and was awarded best player and won the players’ player award for his impressive display.

The busy and hard-running Tom Ledger (one goal) worked tirelessly and gave the Tigers tremendous service, while the returning Callan England starred from the wing and won plenty of the ball.

Defender Bailey Rogers was also prominent with his unwavering attack on the ball and provided one of the highlights of the game when he burst through the centre late in the third term before delivering a brilliant pass from the outside of his boot to forward Anthony Treacy, who then slotted his second goal.

Meanwhile, midfielder Jye Bolton fought off close attention from the opposition to play a prominent role, while forward Ian Richardson kicked a game-high three goals.

Acting captain and full-back Anton Hamp marshalled Claremont’s defence with aplomb, on a day where the Tigers had nine goal kickers and meaningful contributions across every line of the ground.

Captain Corey Yeo, Brant Colledge and Michael Bennell each kicked two goals for the Demons.

The Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term, however, two early goals saw the Demons take a 12-point lead.

Richardson then split the middle from 50m directly in front, before a ferocious tackle in midfield from the robust Isaac Wallace resulted in Ledger finishing with aplomb on the run just moments later.

The busy Mountford then found Tyron Smallwood who kicked the Tigers’ third goal to give the team an eight-point lead at quarter-time.

Coach Darren Harris emphasised the importance of competing and winning territory, before a desperate smother from Wallace across half-back and a strong mark from Declan Hardisty at full-back early in the second term reaffirmed the Tigers’ appetite for the contest.

Clint Jones hit back with the Demons’ third goal, before a brilliant tackle from Hardisty prevented his opponent Bennell from having a shot at goal.

Colledge then made the Tigers pay for a turnover in defence, before Kaiden Gilbert cleverly snapped Claremont’s fourth goal.

Three consecutive goals then gave the Demons a 19-point lead at half-time.

With the Tigers needing to regain their composure and get the game back on their terms, repeat efforts from Bolton and a clever pass from Matt Palfrey allowed Treacy to kick his first major, before Palfrey went from goal provider to goal scorer after a blistering clearance from the busy England.

Richardson then wound back the clock with two brilliant finishes from distance on the back of spearing passes from Harrison McCracken and Alec Waterman, as the Tigers reclaimed the lead on the back of a barnstorming start to the second half.

The speedy Bailey Bennett then pulled a rabbit out of a hat when he finished brilliantly from a tight angle on the run, before Smallwood soon did likewise from the opposite pocket after a great transition from defence.

The returning Jack Bradshaw then split the middle from a tight angle after some more repeat efforts from Palfrey, before Rogers’ brilliance allowed Treacy to kick the Tigers’ eighth goal of the term and gave the team a commanding 30-point lead at the final change.

Harris lauded the team’s efforts in winning territory and pressing, and also paid tribute to the forwards, led by the hardworking Palfrey.

Second goals to Bennell and Yeo saw the Demons close to within 18 points in the final term, before wingman Ben Rushforth kicked the Tigers’ 13^th and final goal of the game.

The Tigers host Swan Districts at Claremont Oval on Saturday in their final pre-season game.

CLAREMONT 3.3 4.4 12.6 13.8 (86)

PERTH 2.1 7.5 7.6 9.10 (64)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 I. Richardson, 2 T. Smallwood, A. Treacy, 1 J. Bradshaw, T. Ledger, M. Palfrey, B. Bennett, K. Gilbert, B. Rushforth.

PERTH: 2 C. Yeo, B. Colledge, M. Bennell, 1 C. Jones, M. Rogers, S. Garstone.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. Mountford, T. Ledger, C. England, B. Rogers, J. Bolton.