TIGERS STEADY TO DOWN DEMONS

By Mark Thornber

Round 20, Perth v Claremont

Showgrounds, Saturday 9 August 2014

Perth                           2.1        5.7       9.8       10.13    73

Claremont                  1.2        4.5       13.7      17.8      110

Perth lapsed badly in the third term to allow Claremont to kick 9 goals and win by 37 points in fine conditions for football at the Showgrounds on Saturday.

Claremont kicked the first goal to the Pavilion end of the ground until Perth responded with the next major through clever forward Callum Collard. The Demons were certainly trying hard with Michael Sinclair and the returning Jared Risol both standing firm in the back half.

Matthew Moody kicked truly just before quarter time to give the Demons a lead of 5 points at the first break. The second term saw    both sides find goal scoring easier with Ugle and Matthew Hunt kicking truly as a real upset looked likely as Dene White and Cameron Manuel were finding plenty of the ball.

When Collard kicked a wonderful snap goal after receiving a free kick Perth had opened up an impressive 20 point lead and were playing some great team football. Just as Perth were looking good though Claremont responded with a couple of late majors just before half time to now only trail the Demons by 8 points.

The second half saw Claremont take control in the midfield largely through the dominance of Mark Seaby in the ruck along with Luke Blakewell and Jake Murphy.

Claremont soon hit the front until Perth fought back with a clever snap from Gerald Ugle and then another to Chance Bateman to regain the lead.

With Seaby though in complete control the Tigers continually drove the ball forward with Trinity Handley proving a real danger inside the forward 50 metres. The home side was simply unstoppable as they booted 9 goals to Perth’s 4 for the quarter to take a lead of 23 points into the last change.

Perth started the last term well with Eyres converting truly from a 50 metre penalty to put the Demons within 17 points.

Despite having the ball though deep in their forward line for large periods they just could not convert their opportunities as the Tigers fleet footed brigade ran that much harder in the last quarter.

The Tigers finished the game off well with to run away and kick 4 goals to 1 to win by a comfortable margin of 37 points.

For Perth White was outstanding all day picking up 35 touches and was again well supported by Tropiano. Sinclair was solid all day in defence and Collard lively up forward to boot 4 goals.

Perth had Michell Browne making his league debut for Perth becoming player number 1558.

Next week Perth face the daunting task of playing East Perth at home.

Goals: Collard 4, Ugle 2, Moody 1, Bateman, Hunt, Eyres.

Best: White, Tropiano, Sinclair, Collard, Kalajzic, Manuel.