By Ken Casellas

An outstanding performance in defence by Anthony Davis was the highlight of Claremont’s scratch match against Perth at Lathlain Park on Saturday.

Lining up at centre-half-back, and flanked by Lachie Martinis and Marty Frederick, Davis, a tall left-footer, repeatedly thwarted the Demons with his dashing play.

Not only did he repeatedly repel Perth’s attacking forays, but he cleared with typical long and accurate kicks. Eleven of his 16 kicks went directly to a teammate, and in the third quarter two effective spoils and a smother off the boot of a Perth player typified his defensive skills.

An encouraging performance in defence came from 19-year-old Josh Howard in a back pocket, playing alongside Eric Benning at full-back. Howard’s teammate from last season’s colts premiership side, Jasper Peace, also showed promise as a backman.

Ollie Eastland had an enthralling duel in the ruck with Perth’s Josh Edwards, and the 2023 E. B. Cook medallist looks set for another superb season, with 19 disposals, three tackles and 26 hit-outs.

The contest was only 90 seconds old when Eastland drove the ball forward and Zac Mainwaring took a sliding mark before kicking the first of his two goals in a sparkling nine-kick display, along with a team-high tally of six tackles.

It was a pass from Davis early in the last quarter that was marked by Mainwaring that gave the lively half-forward flanker his second major. Corey Mitchell, in a forward pocket, also provided some excellent sparkle in attack.

Claremont led for much of the match before Perth outscored the Tigers, five goals to two in the final quarter to win by eleven points. Frederick was rested in the final term, and Alec Waterman’s involvement was ended five minutes into the last quarter when he sustained a painful injury to his left eye.

It was a good, solid workout for the Tigers, who will meet South Fremantle in a scratch match, starting at 2.30pm at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday. The reserves practice match against Souths will begin at 11.45am, and the colts game will start at 11.15 on Sunday morning.

Details:

Perth 11.6 (72) beat Claremont 8.13 (61).

Scorers --- CLAREMONT: B. Rogers 4.1; Z. Mainwaring 2.2; S. Alvarez 1.1; M. Inverarity 1.0; O. Eastland, A. waterman 0.2; A. Manuel, R. O’Connor, S. van Rooyen 0.1; 2pts forced.

Best---CLAREMONT: A. Davis, O. Eastland, S. Alvarez, Z. Mainwaring, B. Rogers, L. Martinis, J. Howard.