Round 12 WAFLW Match Report – Claremont Tigers vs Subiaco Lions:

Claremont maintained its hot form in the blistering Broome heat, grinding out a hard-fought victory over the Subiaco Lions.

Benefitting from their preseason travel experience, Claremont successfully adjusted to the challenging conditions, giving them a slight mental advantage over the Lions.

Although the game initially started off with a clean and competitive flow, resulting in a goal each in the opening quarter, the relentless heat gradually transformed it into a test of mental endurance. As the temperature soared, tackling intensified, and mistakes became more prevalent.

The third quarter was a slugfest, with neither team scoring. The Lions, on the other hand, stayed within striking distance, ready to attempt a comeback. With the stakes rising and the Tigers desperate not to suffer their first loss of the 2023 season, Ella Solocombe scored late in the fourth quarter, sealing a win.

Claremont's success throughout the game was largely due to their resilient defensive players, who consistently rebounded the ball. As a result, the midfield was highly contested for a significant portion of the game, resulting in a back-and-forth exchange along the corridor. This enabled plenty of the main ball winners to share and distribute the ball evenly amongst the Claremont players. Claremont ended up having 56 more possessions across the board compared to Subiaco.

Despite the relatively low scoring, the exhibition match proved to be an entertaining spectacle, drawing a sizable and enthusiastic crowd in Broome for this special event. The final score favoured Claremont, with a score line of 3.4 (22) to 1.1 (7).

Claremont's midfield duo of Matilda Sergeant and Jayme Harken once again showcased their exceptional ball handling skills and tactical awareness in the engine room. Despite the taxing conditions, both players appeared to be running on top of the ground, gliding through the plays, swiftly identifying targets and executing precise forward passes.

Sergeant had an outstanding performance, accumulating an impressive stat line of 22 disposals, 6 tackles, and 4 Inside 50 entries. Meanwhile, Harken made her presence felt with 17 possessions, 5 tackles, and 4 marks.

In a notable role change, Kobi Nichols stepped into the ruck due to a personnel absence and had her best game of the year. Although she didn't dominate the majority of crucial hitouts, Nichols proved to be a valuable fourth onballer, contributing significantly to Claremont's possession count.

Her dynamic play style allowed her to generate clearances and inject pace into the midfield. Nichols enjoyed her highest possession count of the season, recording 17 disposals, 8 hitouts, 4 marks, and 3 Inside 50 entries.

It is worth noting that while this strategic approach may not be suitable for all ruck matchups in the competition, it proved to be effective in this particular game, highlighting Nichols' versatility and impact on the team's performance in generating clearances and maintaining midfield momentum.

Juliet Kelly demonstrated her building form in the backline, proving that age is merely a number. With a series of solid performances under her belt, Kelly showcased her skills once again, recording her highest possession count of the year with 15 disposals. Most of her possessions were hard-fought contested possessions, displaying her determination and ability to win crucial ground ball battles.

Kelly's defensive efforts were complemented by the leadership and presence of Claire Ortlepp, who acted as a defensive general, halting opposition surges with her exceptional intercept marking. Ortlepp contributed 15 disposals, 6 marks, and 4 tackles to the team's efforts.

Rachel Ortlepp, who previously played alongside her sister in the backline, has successfully transitioned to a forward role and has thrived in her recent outings. In this game as well, she showcased her blistering speed during transitional plays, providing a significant highlight.

Her goal at a critical juncture in the match helped regain momentum for Claremont.

Similarly, Jacinta Valentini, who has been playing as a high half-forward throughout the season, formed a formidable partnership with Ortlepp, creating a potent combination that made an impact when entering the forward 50.

After such a gruelling encounter, Claremont will have a well-deserved week off with a bye in round 13, allowing the team to recuperate before their anticipated push towards an exciting finals series. The next fixture for the Claremont Women's league team is scheduled against Swan Districts, set to take place on June 11th at 2pm, with Claremont enjoying the advantage of playing at home.

Swan Districts, despite initially stumbling with four consecutive losses at the start of the season, including a defeat at the hands of Claremont on their home ground, have experienced a remarkable turnaround since round 6.

They have emerged victorious in their last seven matches, catapulting them to an impressive third position on the ladder. Their recent hot streak has been characterised by convincing victories, boasting an average winning margin of 43 points over the past seven rounds. In comparison, Claremont has maintained a winning margin of 31 points during the same period.

While this may not pose a significant concern for the Tigers, given their flawless undefeated record thus far in the 2023 season, it will certainly provide them with a substantial challenge against Swan Districts' potent forward line, which has consistently demonstrated their scoring prowess.

Claremont Goal Scorers:

Adele Arnup, Rachel Ortlepp, Ella Solocombe

Claremont Best:

Matilda Sergeant, Kobi Nichols, Rachel Ortlepp, Jayme Harken, Jacinta Valentini, Juliet Kelly