Match Report – Tigers roar home over ThunderSunday, June 13, 2021 - 11:34 AM - by Chris Pike

CLAREMONT had to dig deep but managed to kick the last three goals of the game on Saturday to beat Peel Thunder by seven points to open Round 10 at Revo Fitness Stadium.

The game was the only one on Saturday afternoon to open around 10 in the Optus WAFL Premiership Season and it turned out to be a tremendous contest between the Tigers and Thunder.

The teams could barely be separated for most of the afternoon with two goals apiece in the first quarter with Peel up by two points at quarter-time.

It was then another three goals from either side in the second term and it was Peel still managing to hold on to a narrow three-point advantage by the half-time interval.

Peel then managed the first two goals of the second half and then shortly before three quarter-time, the Thunder held a game-high 21-point advantage before Claremont managed a couple of late goals to bring the deficit back to 10 points.

However, by the 21-minute mark of the last quarter Roy George kicked truly to have Peel up by 12 points still. Claremont wasn’t done yet, though, and the Tigers kicked three goals in the game's final six minutes to snatch the 14.6 (90) to 12.11 (83) victory.

The victory improves Claremont to an 8-1 record on the season to take them to top spot on the WAFL ladder but having played an extra game than Subiaco while Peel now slips to a 3-6 record.

Emerging young key forward Jack Buller proved a match-winner again for Claremont to end up kicking four goals from six kicks for the day. Alex Manuel also kicked three goals for the Tigers.

Jye Bolton produced another best on ground performance for Claremont to continue his remarkable run of form with another 35 possessions, nine inside 50s, four marks, four tackles and a goal.

Bailey Rogers racked up another 29 disposals for the Tigers, Lachlan Martinis 25, Ryan Lim 22, Jake Patmore 19 and Jared Hardisty 18 to go with nine tackles.

Blair Bell, Lachlan Cullen and Roy George all kicked two goals apiece for Peel.

Luke Valente worked hard against the star-studded Claremont midfield for the Thunder with 26 possessions, six marks and five tackles.

Ben Hancock also finished with 20 disposals and six tackles for Peel while Jarvis Pina had 20 touches, Jackson Merrett 19, Michael Randall 18 and ruckman Lloyd Meek 17 to go with 37 hit outs and three tackles.

Both Claremont and Peel have the bye now in Round 11 before the Tigers face West Perth at Provident Financial Oval on Saturday June 26. That same day, the Thunder host East Perth at David Grays Arena.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 10

CLAREMONT            2.1    5.3    9.5    14.6 (90)
PEEL THUNDER            2.3    5.6    10.9    12.11 (83)

CLAREMONT: Goals – Buller 4; Manuel 3; Edwards, Bolton, England, Patmore, Eastland, Hamp, Barton.
Best – Bolton, Rogers, Martinis, Buller, Lim, J Hardisty, Patmore.
PEEL THUNDER: Goals – Bell, Cullen, George 2; Merrett, Lawler, Randall, Banfield, Lake, Giro.
Best – Valente, Hancock, Meek, Merrett, Randall, Pina, Watson.