The thumpings of Claremont in recent weeks by East Fremantle had a similar look. Full-on pressure from the first bounce, winning the clearances, getting the ball forward and if it did go Claremont’s side of the centre it would be whisked out at speed, usually by Cam Eardley.
But the preliminary final looked different.
For the first 10 minutes Claremont won the clearances, East Fremantle fumbled and kicked horribly and a pattern was set. The first big issue for the Sharks was that Milan Murdock was absent with a crook ankle – there goes the in-under possessions. And the Tigers put Jason Carter (below) on Eardley – there goes their everything.
Carter not only stopped the Shark run he kicked two goals in the first quarter. It was all over by half time – incredibly East Fremantle’s only two goals were kicked after the first and second quarter sirens.
Claremont were very well organised with Ben Edwards, Bailey Rogers and Ben Elliot getting plenty of the ball, Jack Buller marking well, Oliver Eastland competing hard in the ruck and Jye Bolton spending time delivering the ball from the back line. The move of Timm House to defence continued to work for the Tigers too.•
Eardley found his mojo in the second half and orchestrated a rally that never really threatened but at least averted a slaughter, Jackson McDonald and Ryan Lester-Smith were consistent throughout. Jamie Meade had a good finals series and Jed Hagen kicked a couple of goals and was energetic in his team’s revival.
In 2020 Claremont lost the grand final by three points and a week or so later sacked coach Darren Harris. New coach Ashley Prescott has the Tigers back in the grand final where they’ll face West Perth coached by Darren Harris.
It’s a nice set up for the game at Leederville Oval, West Perth’s old home ground, next Saturday starting at 3pm.
Claremont 10.11 (71) East Fremantle 6.7 (43)
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