By Dan Scamozzi 

Claremont overcame a disappointing first half to record a vital seven-point win against a wasteful Perth at Claremont Oval in round 16 and retain the Pyke Cup.

The Tigers awoke from their slumber at half-time to produce a brilliant six-goals-to-none third term on the back of an increased appetite for the contest and work rate to eventually prevail 9.7 (61) to 7.12 (54).

Despite Perth recording 14 more inside 50s and three more scoring shots, the Tigers were more efficient with their forward entries and turned the game on its head in the third term after a flashpoint occurred on the half-time siren.

The robust Jack Beeck and Perth captain and former Tiger Corey Yeo saw a loose ball over the boundary line in front of ‘Dollar’s Deck’ before tempers flared and an all-in melee erupted between both teams.

Unbeknown to everyone at the time, it was just what the Tigers needed to kick-start their afternoon and would produce a desired response.

Forward Alec Waterman, who possesses one of the most lethal and powerful kicks in the WAFL and was one of three inclusions to the team along with fellow forward Kaiden Gilbert and debutant Rylie Morgan, kicked three brilliant goals during the Tigers’ third-term blitz to help turn the contest on its head.

No less effective at the other end of the ground was unflappable defender Dylan Smallwood, who brilliantly read the play and hauled in 10 impressive marks as he led the back line with aplomb and deservedly won best player and the players’ player award.

Powerful midfielder Dec Mountford (25 disposals, team-high seven tackles) continued his brilliant form and laid two ferocious tackles during the second term which prevented Perth from shooting at goal, while reliable and consistent defender Dec Hardisty provided fine support to Smallwood.

Midfielder Jye Bolton recorded a game-high 34 disposals and equal game-high 12 marks, while the hardworking and hard-running Ryan Lim (28 disposals, equal game-high 12 marks) was another solid contributor.

Ruckman Jeremy Goddard (game-high 44 hit-outs) won his duel with Perth’s Christian Eyres, while midfielder Morgan (17 disposals, five tackles) made a fine debut and helped fly the flag for his team when tempers flared at half-time.

On a sour note for the Tigers, in-form defender Lachie Martinis, who was also injured in the teams’ earlier meeting this season, suffered an ankle injury during the second term and had to be assisted from the ground.

Co-captain Ian Richardson elected to kick to the northern end of the ground in the opening term but it was the Demons who kicked the opening two goals, before the silky Anthony Treacy (equal team-high seven inside 50s) finished with aplomb from a tight angle on the run after receiving a spearing pass from full-forward and vice-captain Tom Lee.

The Tigers trailed the Demons by nine points at quarter-time off the back of fewer inside 50s and uncontested marks, before Mountford laid the first of his ferocious tackles in defence to earn a free kick in the opening minute of the second term.

Smallwood soon hauled in another mark before Richardson kicked truly after receiving a short pass from fellow co-captain Kane Mitchell (equal team-high seven inside 50s), before Mountford laid another inspirational tackle.

Martinis then had his game ended before the Demons kicked consecutive goals to take a 15-point lead at half-time.

Consecutive goals to start the second half from Waterman, including a booming finish from 50m, pulled the Tigers to within four points before Jack Bradshaw gave the hosts the lead for the first time after Lim won a clearance at half-back.

Richardson then kicked his second goal before Waterman landed another booming finish, this time from the pocket, to extend the lead to 15 points.

An unmarked Matt Palfrey then made the Demons pay with his own booming finish from 50m as the Tigers turned for home with a 21-point lead.

Six more tackles and 31 more uncontested marks were testament to the Tigers’ renewed appetite for the contest and work rate, as coach Darren Harris praised the team for their hard work.

However, a second goal to Perth’s Matt Rogers in the early stages of the final term served as a reminder that the Tigers’ job was far from complete, before Palfrey steadied for the hosts with his second.

Consecutive goals from the Demons set up a nervous finish for the Tigers, however, the hosts prevailed to record their 10^th win of the season, with Morgan fittingly leading the team from the field with the Pyke Cup in hand.

The Tigers will aim for consecutive wins when they face Peel Thunder at David Grays Arena in round 17.

CLAREMONT 1.2 2.4 8.6 9.7 (61)

PERTH 2.5 4.7 4.9 7.12 (54)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 A. Waterman, 2 I. Richardson, M. Palfrey, 1 J. Bradshaw, A. Treacy.

PERTH: 3 M. Rogers, 1 B. Colledge, M. Jones, J. Burke, Z. Roe.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. Smallwood, D. Mountford, D. Hardisty, J. Bolton, R. Lim.

PERTH: C. Leggett, M. Rogers, B. Colledge, J. Coniglio, C. Giblett.