BY DAN SCAMOZZI 

Two disappointing middle terms which yielded just one goal cost Claremont a chance of victory as Peel Thunder recorded a 22-point win in fine conditions at Lane Group Stadium in round six.

Leading by nine points at quarter-time, Claremont went goalless in the second term and kicked one goal in the third, Peel kicking eight goals during the same period before prevailing 12.12 (84) to 9.8 (62).

The result leaves Claremont in third position on the ladder and with plenty of areas for improvement, including decision-making and skill execution, while the Tigers need to be more consistent with their work rate and application.

Defenders Jack Lewsey, Dec Hardisty and Steve Miller gave Claremont solid service as Peel recorded four more inside 50s, utility Bailey Rogers (game-high 36 disposals, game-high 10 marks, game-high seven inside 50s) starring around the ground in another tireless performance.

Jared Hardisty played across half-back before moving into midfield and kicked two goals in the final term, Alex Manuel also kicking two as Claremont’s most dangerous forward.

Fremantle’s Mitch Crowden (team-high 27 disposals) was prominent and kicked two long goals, high half-forward Blair Bell (equal game-high three goals) and man-mountain Lloyd Meek (game-high 30 hit-outs) also giving the hosts solid service as Peel recorded their third win of the season.

Claremont captain Dec Mountford elected to kick to the southern end of the ground in the opening term as the Tigers went into the game with an unchanged line-up, repeat tackles inside 50 and a kick to the hotspot from rebounding defender Lachlan Martinis allowing Max Spyvee to kick the opening goal.

Manuel made Peel pay for a turnover as he split the middle from 50m, a kick inside 50 from Mountford allowing forward Max Minear to kick Claremont’s third goal approaching time-on.

Goals to Fremantle pair Neil Erasmus and Crowden pulled Peel to within four points, however, a sharp handball from midfielder Ben Edwards set up ruckman Kieran Gowdie for Claremont’s fourth goal and its nine-point lead at quarter-time.

Coach Ash Prescott urged the Tigers to take the game on, however, goals to Fremantle pair Liam Henry and Sam Sturt in the second term levelled the scores at half-time.

Things hardly improved for Claremont in the third term as further goals to Crowden (second), Bell, and three in a row from Fremantle’s Josh Treacy extended Peel’s lead to 32 points, a dashing run from Rogers setting up forward Cal England for the Tigers’ first goal since the opening term.

However, a second goal from Bell after the siren gave Peel a game-high 35-point lead at the final break, Prescott urging the Tigers to work for each other and roll the dice.

Jared Hardisty kicked truly in the third minute of the final term before Manuel landed a thumping finish for his second goal, Bell replying with his third to keep the Tigers at arm’s length.

Jared Hardisty snapped brilliantly from the pocket and Mountford kicked truly from inside the pack to reduce the margin to 16 points, however, a late goal from Fremantle’s Karl Worner snuffed out any chance of a miracle comeback as Claremont suffered its second loss of the season.

The Tigers host Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium in round seven.

CLAREMONT 4.1 4.4 5.6 9.8 (62)

PEEL THUNDER 2.4 4.4 10.11 12.12 (84)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 J. Hardisty, A. Manuel, 1 D. Mountford, C. England, M. Spyvee, M. Minear, K. Gowdie.

PEEL THUNDER: 3 B. Bell, J. Treacy, 2 M. Crowden, 1 N. Erasmus, K. Worner, L. Henry, S. Sturt.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Lewsey, D. Hardisty, S. Miller, B. Rogers.

PEEL THUNDER: M. Crowden, B. Bell, J. Hamling, L. Meek, J. Treacy.