Preliminary Final Rogers Match Report: Claremont Tigers vs South Fremantle

By Sebastian Hasluck

Match Day Reporter

The Bulldogs ended the Tigers' season in a challenging and muddy away game, depriving them of a grand final berth.

The Rogers were aiming for their first-ever appearance in the competition's grand final, hoping to emulate the success of their league counterparts. However, they fell short by eight points in a hard-fought battle held at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Interestingly, South Fremantle seemingly happen to be a troublesome opponent for the Rogers, having defeated Claremont in last year's finals series as well as during the regular season. Nevertheless, Claremont displayed great determination and fought tooth and nail against the Bulldogs.

The first half was tightly contested, with both teams making several mistakes due to the wet conditions. As the game progressed into the second half, the Tigers remained within striking distance, trailing by just eight points.

A crucial goal from Jessica Rava narrowed the gap to a mere two points, injecting new life into Claremont's hopes as they entered the final quarter.

However, the persistent rain and thickening mud proved to be challenging for both teams, favouring South Fremantle's midfielders who managed to overrun Claremont and grind out a hard-fought win.

Although Claremont had a few last quarter opportunities to score inside their attacking 50, they struggled to make clean entries, ultimately leading to a more defensive approach in the center of the field. This defensive strategy stifled any chance of mounting an effective offensive attack.

Despite their best efforts and the unfavourable weather conditions, the Tigers fell short of securing a victory and missed out on the opportunity to compete for the flag in 2023.

The final score favoured South Fremantle, with the scoreboard reading 4.11 (35) to 4.3 (27).

India Bonadeo once again showcased her exceptional talent and skill in another outstanding performance for the Rogers, even in the challenging wet weather conditions.

Bonadeo demonstrated her ability to read the game well by taking marks and intelligently distributing the ball backwards when faced with crowded opposition and limited space to manoeuvre. Bonadeo also came close to scoring an impressive late timed long-range goal, however it didn't quite materialize.

Bonadeo’s presence as a running tall in the midfield has added depth and will be a valuable asset in the team's campaign for the next season.

Lexi Fox emerged as a key player in the battle, particularly as the primary ruck. Despite the adverse weather, Fox effectively tapped the ball down to the running midfielders, including Charlotte Tompkin, Amy Evans, and Holly Fraser, who greatly benefited from her controlled service.

This trio made a strong impact in the preliminary final, contributing to many inside 50 entries. Tompkin, in particular, displayed her skills by delivering a precise kick to Savannah Muir, resulting in the first goal of the game.

Juliet Kelly, who recently regained form after a period on the sidelines, displayed impressive marking skills in the wet conditions. She also showed intelligence by floating to find the loose opponent, a tactic seemingly employed by South Fremantle.

The Rogers' season has now concluded with their finals campaign ending in Fremantle. Each passing year sees the team improving and elevating their position, not only in the home and away season but also in their performance during the finals.

During the season, the squad consistently made notable progress, evolving from their performance in Round 1 and continually strengthening their cohesion as a team. They displayed a pattern of continuous improvement, with personal development playing a crucial role in their growth, even if it meant learning from a few losses during the home and away season.

The emergence of young talent within the squad is highly promising, and the team's potential appears limitless. With more time to gel together and a strong offseason ahead, there is no doubt that this team has the ability to come back with a vengeance. Their sights can be set on going one step further, reaching the Grand Final, and even capturing the ultimate prize, the flag.

The Rogers' continuous improvement, combined with the tantalising young talent within the squad, sets a positive foundation for future success. It has been an absolute joy to watch the personal improvement of the Rogers’ players this year and I can’t wait to see what the Tigers achieve next season.

Attention now turns to the highly anticipated WAFLW Grand Final this weekend, where Claremont supporters and followers eagerly await the rematch against their new rival, East Fremantle. The grand final will take place at Minerals Resources Park on July 15th at 2:45 PM.

Tickets are available online, and it would be fantastic to see a sea of blue and yellow in the stands, showing unwavering support for the Tigers and cheering them on to try and secure back-to-back premierships.

A big congratulations is also in order for Jayme Harken, who deservedly claimed this year's Dhara Kerr Medal for being the Best and Fairest player in the competition. It is a well-earned accolade and a fitting recognition of her outstanding performances throughout the home and away season, showcasing her dominance on the field.

Claremont Goal Scorers:

Savannah Muir, Jessica Rava, Rio Angus, Esther Cooney

Claremont Best:

India Bonadeo, Charlotte Tompkin, Amy Evans, Lexi Fox, Holly Fraser, Juliet Kelly