Tigers Fend Off Royals

Claremont Reserves held on for a crucial 10-point win against East Perth in glorious conditions at Leederville Oval in round 14 to draw level with second-placed West Perth and third-placed Subiaco on seven wins.

The Tigers prevailed 8.13 (61) to 7.9 (51) after restricting their wasteful opponents to just two goals in the opening three quarters but dropped off in the final term as the Royals slammed on five unanswered majors.

The result leaves Claremont with room for improvement but was the Tigers' third win in succession as they continue to gel and build momentum leading into another finals series.

Wingman Menno Inverarity (21 disposals, one goal) and inside midfielders Max Mumme and Finn Maloney (game-high eight inside 50s) gave Claremont tremendous service, while defender Louis Passera formed part of a miserly defence and key forward Steve Miller continued his strong form as he hauled in a team-high seven marks and kicked a team-high three goals.

East Perth key forward Nic Bonomelli (equal team-high nine marks, game-high 24 hit-outs, game-high four goals) dragged the Royals back into the contest with three goals in the final term, while Nathan Eaton recorded a game-high 27 disposals.

Claremont defender and acting captain Rohan MacNeill elected to kick to the city end of the ground with the aid of the breeze in the opening term, a contested start to the game engulffing the opening 14 minutes as the Tigers peppered the goals before returning forward Kostya Daylight kicked the first major.

Claremont's tackling intent was on display as several Tigers showed their appetite for the contest, hardworking forward Dylan Mulligan continuing his busy start to the game when he kicked truly to extend the Tigers' lead to 17 points at quarter-time.

Coach Darren Harper encouraged Claremont to be patient and improve their method when going forward., Mulligan kicking his second goal in the seventh minute of the second term after receiving a squaring pass from Miller.

Miller soon kicked his first goal after snapping brilliantly from the pocket, East Perth's Jonah Brooks replying with the Royals' first major after kicking truly with the outside of his boot.

Returning midfielder Bailey Bennett (team-high 22 disposals, six inside 50s) then won the centre clearance and sent the ball inside 50m where small forward Felix Rogers kicked Claremont's fifth goal, Miller adding his second a short time later after Mumme won the centre clearance and fellow midfielder Mitch Barron (team-high six tackles) sent the ball inside 50m.

Bonomelli kicked his first goal on the half-time siren to trim Claremont's lead to 26 points at the main break, the Tigers starting the second half with ruckman Jack Burton lining up at full-forward.

The less said about the first 19 minutes of play in the third term the better, before Miller produced a brilliant checkside from the pocket to kick his third goal and Inverarity snapped truly to give Claremont the only goals for the term and extend their lead to 36 points at the final change.

Harper praised Claremont's ability to wrestle back momentum after being outhunted by East Perth for the majority of those 19 minutes, Mulligan's work rate again on show in the early stages of the final term before Bonomelli kicked consecutive goals.

Two goals to Sandon Page either side of a fourth from Bonomelli saw East Perth finish the game with all the momentum and left a sour taste in Claremont's mouth, however, the Tigers did enough to bank the four points and next host West Perth in round 15 at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Meanwhile, Claremont Colts recorded their fourth consecutive win after defeating East Perth by 63 points, 16.12 (108) to 7.3 (45).

CLAREMONT 2.6 6.7 8.8 8.13 (61)

EAST PERTH 0.1 2.5 2.8 7.9 (51)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 S. Miller, 2 D. Mulligan, 1 F. Rogers, M. Inverarity, K. Daylight.

EAST PERTH: 4 N. Bonomelli, 2 S. Page, 1 J. Brooks.

BEST

CLAREMONT: M. Inverarity, M. Mumme, F. Moloney, L. Passera, S. Miller.

EAST PERTH: N. Eaton, D. Miller, N. Bonomelli, J. Brooks, C. Abbott.