Round 20 Preview - Perth v ClaremontFriday, August 4, 2017 - 4:49 PM - by Chris Pike

ONE of Perth's two wins this season did come against Claremont so the Demons will attempt to repeat that on Saturday at Lathlain Park to get off the bottom of the ladder but that would spell the end of the Tigers' season.

Following last week's loss to East Perth at Claremont Oval by four points, Claremont can't afford any more slip ups between now and the end of the season if the Tigers hope to return to finals action in 2017.

Perth might not be in finals contention with just the two wins from 17 attempts this season, but the Demons did climb from the bottom of the ladder despite having the bye last week. East Fremantle's percentage slipped below that of the Demons.

Perth can now take a significant step towards avoiding another wooden spoon by winning on Saturday at Lathlain Park.

The Demons did beat Claremont at the neutral venue of Fremantle Community Bank Oval back in Round 9 in a remarkable finish. That should give them confidence of being able to take it right up to Claremont.

But Claremont's simply can't afford to let it happen or it's season over. The Tigers have now lost their last four matches against Peel Thunder, South Fremantle, Subiaco and East Perth to slip to a 6-10 record on the season.

They currently sit in seventh position two games behind the fifth placed West Perth. Even with a win on Saturday against Perth, Claremont will remain either two games behind West Perth or a game behind East Perth depending on who wins that clash at HBF Arena.

But a win will at least keep the Tigers chances alive of playing finals in 2017 with games to then finish against South Fremantle, Swan Districts and West Perth. That's a tough finish so winning on Saturday is an absolute must.

Perth might have taken great heart out of that Round 9 win over Claremont but the Demons have lost their eight matches since by an average of 64.6 points a game. Prior to the bye last week Perth lost to West Perth by 53 points.

Perth should regain three important players to take on Claremont on Saturday from the side that lost to West Perth a fortnight ago.

Devin McFarlane has been sidelined through injury since Round 15 but the attacking defender who has a raking left boot will be an important inclusion against the Tigers.

Laine Wilkins was in career-best during the opening six games of the season before he got injured. Now after a solid return in the reserves two weeks ago, he should be back on Saturday to add some quality and another left-footer to the Perth side.

Former East Fremantle midfielder Jake Schleicher should also get another crack to add another strong ball-winner to the Perth midfield.

Claremont's great advantage over Perth would usually be in the big men department but that won't be so much the case on Saturday with state ruckman Mitch Andrews and tall forward/back up ruckman Eddie Simpson going out of the team from the one that lost to East Perth last week.

Oliver Eastland and Jeremy Goddard will be in the mix to replace that pair with both in line to make their league debuts for the Tigers.

Captain Jake Murphy and 98-game wingman Ryan Neates are also in the mix to return on the comeback trail from injury for Claremont while Bailey Rogers and Josh Bennett could also come into the league side.

PERTH (2-15, 8th) v CLAREMONT (6-10, 7th) – LATHLAIN PARK, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams, live stats 
Broadcast – HFM (107.3FM)