Tigers Outplayed By Royals

After coming from the clouds to record thrilling wins on several occassions this season, there would be no miraculous comeback from Claremont against East Perth in glorious conditions at Leederville Oval in round 14.

Instead, Claremont were handed a reality check by a superior, hardworking and skilful Royals outfit who prevailed by 24 points, 12.10 (82) to 8.10 (58), to replace the Tigers  atop the ladder after recording their seventh consecutive win.

Claremont led for just three minutes during the disappointing defeat but will lick their wounds and relish another crack at East Perth in the finals.

The Royals' ability to spread from the contest, move the ball with purpose and hit their targets proved too much for the Tigers, who were never allowed to play their own game due to East Perth's work rate resulting in them taking 45 more marks .

Inspirational captain and midfielder Dec Mountford (22 disposals, game-high nine tackles, game-high nine inside 50s) continued his outstanding form as he worked tirelessly in midfield and sent the Tigers forward, while hardworking forwards Alex Manuel and Ty Smallwood each kicked three goals.

Jye Bolton (team-high 30 disposals) once again divided his time between half-back and midfield but continues to look ominous when moved into the middle, while the Tigers desperately need to find some support for key forward Max Minear.

Powerful East Perth midfielder Hamish Brayshaw (equal game-high 32 disposals, two goals) proved a handful for Claremont as he won the ball and also hit the scoreboard, while fellow midfielder Mitch Crowden (equal game-high 32 disposals, six inside 50s) stood out from the pack with his precise kicking.

Dangerous small forward Sam Van Diemen and Liam Tedesco each kicked three goals for the Royals, who led at every change and recorded their 10th win.

East Perth captain Christian Ameduri elected to kick to the city end of the ground with the aid of the breeze in the opening term, reliable Claremont defender Dec Hardisty returning from injury for his first game since round nine and dangerous forward Talon Delacey a late withdrawal with illness.

Smallwood kicked the first goal of the game from just inside 50m straight in front, Van Diemen replying with his first major to give East Perth a lead they would never relinquish.

Crowden set up forward Tom Medhat for East Perth's second goal with a spearing kick inside 50m before Ameduri soon made it three, with the Royals' superior foot skills already on show.

Bolton was then moved into midfield and immediately won the centre clearance, forward Zac Mainwaring crumbing and snapping Claremont's second goal before Van Diemen replied with his second to give East Perth a 14-point lead at quarter-time.

Claremont coach Ash Prescott urged the Tigers to play quick, long and direct, while also highlighting East Perth's uncontested marks as an area in need of improvement.

A brilliant kick inside 50m from Bolton set up Manuel for his first goal in the second term, only for East Perth to reply with three consecutive goals to take a game-high 26-point lead.

Smallwood then won a free kick for a high tackle inside 50m and kicked his second goal on the stroke of half-time to pull the Tigers to within 20 points at the main break, however, Claremont were now a man down after wingman Ronin O'Connor suffered a shoulder injury whilst laying a tackle and would take no further part in the game.

Hardisty prevented East Perth from extending their lead in the early stages of the second half with an interception on the last line of defence, Manuel then winning a holding-the-ball free kick at full-forward and kicking his second goal to trim the margin back to 14 points.

Claremont's lift in both intensity and work rate after half-time was evident, however, an unmarked Tedesco soon kicked his second goal before key defender Anthony Davis prevented Medhat from kicking his second after producing a crucial smother.

Manuel, who is the WAFL's best finisher inside 50m with both sides of his body, then kicked brilliantly with the outside of his left boot deep in the pocket to register his third goal, utility Bailey Rogers setting up Smallwood for his third major in the same part of the ground as the Tigers pulled to within seven points at the final change.

On the back of working their way into the game through stronger intensity and work rate - led by Mountford - a pragmatic Prescott confirmed a "shackles off" approach to the final term, only for an unmarked Brayshaw to kick his second goal and forward Mitchell Schofield his first as the Royals regained some breathing space and a 16-point lead.

Defender Lachlan Martinis kicked truly out of congestion in the forward pocket in another highlight of the game, only for Van Diemen and Tedesco to kick their third goals as the Tigers suffered their first loss since round seven.

Claremont host West Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium in round 15, where Hardisty will line up in his 100th game and the Club will celebrate the 30-year reunion of its 1993 premiership.

CLAREMONT 2.1 4.4 7.7 8.10 (58)

EAST PERTH 4.3 7.6 8.8 12.10 (82)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 A. Manuel, T. Smallwood, 1 L. Martinis, Z. Mainwaring.

EAST PERTH: 3 S. Van Diemen, L. Tedesco, 2 H. Brayshaw, 1 T. Medhat, C. Ameduri, M. Schofield, R. Saunders.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. Mountford, A. Manuel, T. Smallwood, J. Bolton, L. Martinis.

EAST PERTH: H. Brayshaw, M. Crowden, S. Van Diemen, A. Schumacher, L. Tedesco.