Round 16 WAFLW Match Report | Claremont Tigers vs East Perth

By Sebastian Hasluck

Claremont finish off the 2023 home and away season the way they started, as winners.

Claremont's unbeaten streak continued as they faced off against bottom-placed East Perth, who were desperately seeking their first win of the season.

Today’s match was a physical one, played on muddy ground in blustery winter weather. While the tackling pressure was intense, which resulted in primarily gritty contested ball situations, the Tigers managed to match East Perth's energy and bring their own physicality to the game.

Claremont laid a combined total of 87 tackles, 22 more than their opponents. Both Kobi Nichols and Taylah Orzel were able to hit double digits and lead from the front laying 14 and 10 tackles for the afternoon respectively.

Despite the scrappiness of the game, Claremont managed to distribute the ball effectively across the field. Their determination to gain possession and their selfless tactic of pushing the ball forward resulted in nearly 100 more disposals than East Perth, showcasing their dominance throughout the match.

The game started slowly, with neither team looking likely to score. Claremont broke the deadlock when Rebecca Tuckey kicked the first goal of the match 11 minutes into the first quarter.

From there, the Tigers took control, often trapping the ball in their forward half. Jacinta Valentini, Rachel Ortlepp, and Adele Arnup all contributed goals, giving Claremont a 27-point lead heading into the final break.

Brooke Whyte and Arnup sealed the victory with their goals in the final quarter, resulting in a 39-point win for Claremont.

The final score line was 6.5 (41) to 0.2 (2) in favour of the Tigers.

Taylah Orzel had a resurgent game, showcasing her best form at a crucial stage of the season. Starting at half-back and transitioning to the wing, Orzel applied crucial tackling pressure, displayed class with the ball, and handled the slippery conditions well.

Orzel took several marks throughout the match, contributing to her impressive stat line of 15 disposals, 10 tackles, 5 marks, and 3 inside-50s.

Sergeant once again proved to be a standout player for Claremont, demonstrating her league-class skills and strength. She showed great agility, weaving through oncoming traffic, and providing a reliable defensive option for rebounding balls.

In the last quarter, it took three East Perth defenders to bring Sergeant down, as they struggled to individually lay the tackle. Sergeant ended the game as the leading disposal winner, accumulating 23 disposals, 7 tackles, 3 marks, and 4 inside-50s.

Kobi Nichols continued her excellent form as a modern-day utility ruck. Her running ability and overall performance in the ruck position challenge the traditional hit-out dominant rucks in the competition.

Paired with an elevated Bec Anderson, this ruck combination provides a significant advantage for the Tigers heading into the finals. Nichols finished the game with 13 disposals, 14 tackles, 20 hit-outs, and 4 inside-50s, while Anderson contributed 13 possessions, 5 tackles, 9 hit-outs, and 3 inside-50s.

Jacinta Valentini and Taylah Angel displayed strong physicality in the contest. While Valentini had fewer disposals than Angel, her impact was notable, particularly in crucial tackles to stop East Perth's run. Angel recorded 18 disposals, 4 tackles, and 2 inside-50s, while Valentini had 8 disposals, 5 tackles, and 2 inside-50s.

Adele Arnup made the most of her limited possessions, kicking two goals from four kicks. Arnup once again proved to be dangerous when creating leading opportunities and showcased her skills with a well-placed kick inside 50 from Mackenzie Webb. Although the finish may not have been as clean as Arnup hoped, the goal still stood,

While Claremont can take pride in securing the minor premiership, they are aware that this achievement alone will not satisfy their hunger for a second consecutive flag. As the dust settles on the highly competitive 2023 season, the Claremont Tigers shift their focus to the next challenge: the Premiership Mountain.

Despite their familiarity with the climb, having tasted success last year, they understand that finals bring a different level of intensity, and formidable opponents can emerge as the last four teams battle to keep their seasons alive and emerge as the ultimate victors.

The next challenger on Claremont’s ascent is South Fremantle, which is scheduled for 2 pm on Sunday at Revo Fitness Stadium, where Claremont enjoys the advantage of a home deck.

The Tigers can draw confidence from their five consecutive victories over South Fremantle, but they are well aware that this year's South Fremantle squad has provided tougher contests with narrower winning margins. South Fremantle has been the highest-scoring team this season, showcasing their offensive potency. While Claremont will maintain their offensive pressure, they will also pay added attention to their defensive assets in order to counter South Fremantle's offensive prowess.

Claremont Goal Scorers:

Adele Arnup (2), Rachel Ortlepp, Jacinta Valentini, Brooke Whyte, Rebecca Tuckey

Claremont Best:

Taylah Orzel, Matilda Sergeant, Kobi Nichols, Adele Arnup, Taylah Angel, Jayme Harken