Match Report – Tigers with too much roar for RoyalsSaturday, May 29, 2021 - 11:02 PM - by Alex Ventouras

A DOMINANT final term has seen Claremont retain its top two WAFL position giving the Tigers a hard fought 36-point win against East Perth on a gloomy Saturday afternoon at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Influential performances from Jye Bolton (33 disposals), Callan England (19 and two goals) and Jack Buller (three goals) were instrumental in holding off a brave East Perth who were led by Angus Scott (34 disposals) and Aiden Lynch (26 and two goals).

The Tigers started the game strongly dominating the territory battle but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard taking just a seven-point lead into the quarter-time break.

In-form midfielder Angus Scott continued his strong season with 14 disposals at quarter-time but didn’t have much help from his teammates as Claremont’s bigger bodies looked far too strong around stoppages thanks to familiar stars Jye Bolton and Bailey Rogers.

The Royals wrestled back momentum in the second term despite Scott only managing the three touches for the quarter after his dominant start. 

They started to win the ball in the contest and made the most of their opportunities when entering inside-50 whereas the Tigers were unable to capitalise after being all over East Perth in the first half of the quarter. 

Tigers debutant Sam Alveraz provided plenty of run on the wing this quarter, his work rate and decision making with ball in hand certainly would’ve impressed his teammates and coaches on debut. 

An entertaining third quarter saw the Tigers begin to get on top again as ruckman Oliver Eastland made his mark on the game giving his midfielders first use with crafty hit outs.

But it was his ability to get his hands on the ball around the ground that proved a serious issue for opposing ruckmen Scott Jones and Ajang Ajang. 

Claremont piled on three early goals in the final term adding to their 17-point three quarter-time lead and eventually finished the game as comfortable 36-point winners. 

BULLER CONTINUES STRONG DEBUT SEASON
After three goals in tough conditions last week, Claremont forward Jack Buller has finished with another bag of three and a handful of impressive contested grabs, again in difficult conditions for tall forwards. The young forward is putting together a really impressive debut season and has been an incredibly handy replacement for Claremont after the retirement of Tom Lee and Alec Waterman being drafted by Essendon. 

MARTINIS TAG WORKS FOR ROYALS
Lachlan Martinis who going into Round 8 was sitting second on the disposals list for the league was well held by second gamer Josh Underwood. Martinis has been one of the in-form players in the league this season but was rarely sighted on Saturday afternoon finishing with just the 11 disposals. However, Underwood gave away two costly free kicks in a minute at a crucial stage at the start of the final term, one a 50m penalty for an off the ball hit on Martinis and then another for clashing with Jared Hardisty off the ball that resulted in a Claremont shot at goal. 

BOLTON A CLASS ABOVE
East Perth had no answers for Claremont superstar Jye Bolton who finished with 33 disposals and a goal in a best on ground performance. The two-time Sandover Medallist was dominant around the stoppages but also found himself playing deep forward at time proving a handful for East Perth’s defenders. His grunt work around the contest was matched by his work rate that allowed him to find plenty of ball on the outside as well.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 8

CLAREMONT            2.1    4.6    8.10    14.12 (96)
EAST PERTH            1.0    4.5    6.5    9.6 (60)

CLAREMONT: Goals – Buller, Patmore 3; England 2; Rogers, Mountford, Bolton, Manuel, Miller, Barton.
Best – Bolton, Lim, Mitchell, Buller, Mountford, Eastland, England.
EAST PERTH: Goals – Magro 3; Lynch, Simpson 2; Hille, Dobson.
Best – Lynch, Scott, Schumacher, Underwood, Blee, Sparks, Magro.