Round 6 WAFLW Match Report – Claremont Tigers vs South Fremantle

Sebastian Hasluck

Match Day Reporter

Claremont make it 5 wins in a row to hand South Fremantle their first loss of the season as the Tigers grind out a hard-fought win at home.

Claremont has lots to be happy about as they converted with near perfect accuracy whilst also defensively holding South Fremantle to their equal lowest score of the year. South Fremantle over the last three rounds has scored an average of 68 points a game, whilst also leading the league for most points scored. This highlights how instrumental and strong Claremont’s defensive line was in fighting off what is usually a wave of offensive pressure, to maintain their winning streak in 2023.

This top of the table clash wasn’t won just off Claremont’s defensive line, but also in other areas of the ground. Claremont were able to capitalise off their own dominant ruckwork and their forward pressure in order to defeat South Fremantle 8.2 (50) to 5.4 (34).
 

Two of the afternoons main contributors for Claremont came from two AFLW players in Matilda Sergeant and Madeleine Scanlon. Both of these listed Dockers took advantage of the pace of the WAFLW and were able to tie for lead possession winners for the Tigers. They displayed elite ball skills as they looked for clean avenue’s out of defence.
 

Both Sergeant and Scanlon showcased their speed off half back whilst also skilfully winning the ball off the ground at full acceleration. Neither of them shied away from the contest as Scanlon walked away with 17 disposals, 5 marks and 2 Inside-50s, whilst Sergeant finished up with 17 Disposals and 2 marks.

Rachel Ortlepp as per usual led by example, however floating this time off a half forward position. She applied her defensive mindset to her attacking role as she was able to lock the ball in the Tigers forward half with her forward pressure. It was only in the last term that Ortlepp was switched back to halt the South Fremantle momentum. Ortlepp showed that she can play around the ground gaining 15 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles and 2 behinds.

Matilda Dyke after Round 6 is now second in the league for hit outs as each week she continues to dominate her opposition in the ruckwork. This week proved no different as she went head-to-head with the third best rated ruckman in the league in South Fremantle’s Ariana Hetherington. Whilst Hetherington managed to contribute on the scoreboard Dyke won the ruck battle giving the Tigers midfielders the first look at the ball. Dyke won a few of her own clearances and was able to head inside-50 on several occasions. Dyke finished up with 7 Disposals, 25 hit outs, 5 tackles and 3 inside-50’s.

Ella Slocombe and Adele Arnup tied for the leading goal scorers of the game, scoring two goals each. Arnup is becoming an uber-consistent forward as she continues her streak of scoring goals in every round of the season so far. Arnup's forwards presence is notable because of the variety of her goals, which can be accomplished either seamlessly from a strong lead or skilfully from the middle of a pack. Arnup also had 6 possessions and 3 marks to go alongside her two goals. Slocombe also had a comprehensive day in her second game of the year, where she impressed with 2 goals, 12 disposals and 2 tackles.

Claremont look onwards to next Sunday in the last game of Round 7 where they face West Perth at 1:00pm at Pentanet Stadium. Claremont should look to put the foot down on the accelerator, as they build towards what feels like will be a dominant outing this weekend. Six rounds in and it seems as if the Claremont’s structure is in good stead with a lot of promise and opportunities for the Rogers girls to rise up and shine in league football.

Claremont Goal Scorers:

Adele Arnup (2), Ella Slocombe (2), Jacinta Valentini, Jasmin Stewart, Brooke Whyte, Matilda Husband

Claremont Best:

Matilda Dyke, Matilda Sergeant, Madeleine Scanlon, Rachel Ortlepp, Ella Slocombe, Adele Arnup