BY DAN SCAMOZZI

A coaching masterstroke paved the way for the mighty Claremont Tigers’ 24-point come-from-behind win against West Perth in the first semifinal in front of nearly 5000 spectators at a packed and heaving Revo Fitness Stadium.

After kicking just three goals in an error-riddled and disappointing first half and trailing by 25 points halfway through the third term, the Tigers, with their season on the line, needed a spark. 

Enter co-captain Dec Mountford (27 disposals, six tackles, six clearances).

The No.5, who inherited his playing number from former midfielder Jake Murphy, has been playing on a wing due to the Tigers having an abundance of midfielders at their expense.

However, the move of Mountford inside the centre square to start the second half from coach Ash Prescott turned out to be the catalyst for Claremont’s stirring fightback and 14.8 (92) to 10.8 (68) win.

Not only did Mountford get busy in the Tigers’ hour of need, winning contested ball and sending the team forward, he also nullified the impact of West Perth ball magnet Shane Nelson.

An inspirational performance which led to Claremont kicking nine of the last 10 goals to end the Falcons’ season and setting up another showdown with South Fremantle in the preliminary final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The reliable Dec Hardisty (five marks) also continued his outstanding form while fellow defender Dylan Smallwood won the players’ player award for his efforts in limiting West Perth spearhead Tyler Keitel (three marks, three goals), while skilful forward Cal England (20 disposals, seven marks, game-high eight inside 50s) kicked a game-high four goals in his best game of the season.

Co-captain Jared Hardisty (team-high nine tackles) and fellow midfielder Ben Edwards (24 disposals, one goal) were also pivotal to the result, with Bailey Rogers, vice-captain Jye Bolton (team-high 28 disposals, six tackles, team-high eight clearances, five inside 50s) and Alex Manuel all kicking two goals.

Meanwhile, Anton Hamp (game-high eight marks) made a timely and composed return from a broken hand which has kept him sidelined since round 12, with the defender replacing suspended forward Timm House in the only change to Claremont’s team from the qualifying final.

The Tigers kicked to the Claremont end of the ground in the opening term and drew first blood when England converted in the fifth minute, Keitel replying with his first goal before Jared Hardisty won a holding-the-ball free kick in defensive 50.

Former Tiger Keegan Knott then kicked the first of his three goals after a Claremont turnover, Dec Hardisty hauling in a strong mark before West Perth captain Aaron Black, who was locked in a fierce battle with Kane Mitchell, converted a free kick to give the Falcons a 14-point lead.

England replied with his second goal to pull the Tigers to within seven points at the first break, with Prescott urging the team to be bold.

The opening 10 minutes of the second term saw neither team able to gain any ascendancy before West Perth’s Rudy Riddoch kicked truly, Rogers splitting the middle from 50m and Riddoch punishing Claremont for another turnover as the Falcons extended their lead to 11 points at half-time.

Prescott then made his tactical switch for the start of the second half as rebounding defender Lachlan Martinis replaced Mountford on a wing, a dashing run and kick to full-forward from defender Jack Lewsey marked and converted by Isaac Barton in Claremont’s best and cleanest passage of play for the game.

Mitchell Antonio replied for West Perth before Jack Buller kicked truly for the Tigers, Knott kicking one of the goals of the year from deep in the pocket before Keitel added two in quick succession to establish the Falcons’ game-high 25-point lead.

Edwards then finished with aplomb on the run before England kicked his third goal, Bolton converting a 50m penalty to give the Tigers three crucial goals within the space of five minutes to trim the margin to six points at the final break.

With Mountford now wielding his influence on the contest, a passionate Prescott urged the Tigers to “empty the tank” during a motivating address, before wingman Ryan Lim kicked truly early in the final term to level the scores.

Knott replied with his third goal before Mountford ran down Riddoch at half-back and the Tigers whisked the ball back up the other end of the ground where Manuel landed a 50m bomb, Rogers then running into an open goal to slam through his second and sending the Tiger Army into a frenzy.

Bolton then launched from 55m and split the middle before Manuel landed another 50m bomb, England fittingly kicking the final goal as Claremont completed a remarkable comeback in front of their adoring fans on a memorable day at Tigerland.

CLAREMONT 2.2 3.6 8.7 14.8 (92)

WEST PERTH 3.3 5.5 9.7 10.8 (68)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 C. England, 2 B. Rogers, J. Bolton, A. Manuel, 1 R. Lim, B. Edwards, J. Buller, I. Barton.

WEST PERTH: 3 K. Knott, T. Keitel, 2 R. Riddoch, 1 A. Black, M. Antonio.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. Mountford, D. Hardisty, C. England, J. Hardisty, B. Edwards.

WEST PERTH: A. Black, K. Knott, T. Keitel, R. Riddoch, S. Nelson.

CROWD: 4768 at Revo Fitness Stadium.