Claremont overpower East Perth for 2016 reserves premiershipSunday, September 25, 2016 - 2:22 PM - by Chris Pike

CLAREMONT kicked four consecutive final quarter goals to set up an 18-point reserves Grand Final win over East Perth to see the Tigers claim the 2016 premiership.

With Claremont's colts earlier beating East Perth for a second straight premiership as well, the Tigers reserves backed up that performance for their first reserves premiership since 2012.

East Perth's reserves finished on top of the ladder and did lead by as much as 24 points during the second quarter, but the Royals have now still not won a reserves premiership since 1983.

It was a tremendous Grand Final contest and it was goal for goal throughout the third quarter and the Royals were seven points up early in the last quarter. But the Tigers booted the next four goals to end up winning 14.14 (98) to 12.8 (80).

Jack Richardson was the star up forward for Claremont kicking five goals from 15 possessions and 12 marks to take out the Merv McIntosh Medal.

Gerrick Weedon was another star for Claremont to add another premiership to his remarkable run at colts, reserves and league level with the Tigers. He kicked two goals to go with 21 possessions and five tackles.

Tom Shanahan is in his first season with Claremont after crossing from East Perth and he enjoyed a strong Grand Final performance with 24 possessions in the midfield.

Zac Langdon also finished with 22 disposals for the Tigers and Lachlan Martinis 21. Harry Sinclair also did a terrific run-with job on East Perth's Steven Payne holding him just to seven disposals.

Matthew Allen and Asher Samelko kicked three goals for East Perth with Samelko also contributing 14 possessions, six marks and 19 hit outs.

Jordan Snadden was impressive as well for East Perth finishing with 23 possessions while Will Maginness had 20 disposals and Shayne Hille 19 to go with two goals.

Scott Jones worked hard in the ruck for the Royals with eight touches, six marks, 39 hit outs and a goal.

Claremont made the perfect start to the Grand Final with the first goal of the game after just two minutes through Keifer Yu.

The Tigers then made it two in the opening six minutes after Richardson kicked truly.

But East Perth soon steadied and kicked the last five goals of the opening quarter with Allen booting two of them, Samelko two and David Roche the other.

The Royals led by 20 points at quarter-time as a result but the Tigers again started strongly in the second term with a quick goal to Matthew Palfrey. East Perth got one back from Lewis Wilson and appeared in control until a strong finish to the half by Claremont.

Late first half goals to Weedon, Richardson and Palmer had Claremont trailing by just seven points at the main break.

The Tigers then drew level to start the third quarter with a goal to Ben Musitano. The Royals responded through Hill before Ben Higgs kicked truly for Claremont.

The lead continued to change hands with Mitch Lague goaling for East Perth after a 50m penalty before Richardson responded with his third to have Claremont narrowly in front. But Hille goaled on the siren for the Royals to see them lead by two points at three quarter-time.

That advantage grew to seven points to start the last quarter with a goal to big man Jones, but it was all Claremont from there.

Langdon, Weedon, Sinclair and Richardson all kicked truly to see the Tigers go from seven points behind to 17 points in front at the 17-minute mark of the last quarter.

East Perth didn’t give up and a big mark and third goal to Samelko with three minutes remaining and a 12-point deficit gave the Royals a sniff. But Richardson took a big mark up the other end and booted his fifth goal from outside 50 to seal the premiership for the Tigers.

CLAREMONT            2.0    6.6    9.11    14.14    (98)
EAST PERTH            5.2    7.7    10.7    12.8    (80)

CLAREMONT Goals: Richardson 5; Weedon 2; Sinclair, Langdon, Higgs, Musitano, Palmer, Palfrey, Yu.
Best: Richardson, Weedon, Shanahan, Sinclair, Langdon, Martinis, Speed.
EAST PERTH Goals: Allen, Samelko 3; Hille 2; Jones, Lague, Wilson, Roche.
Best: Hille, Samelko, Maginness, Snadden, Gorter, Jones.

MERV McINTOSH MEDAL: Jack Richardson (Claremont).