CLAREMONT has maintained top spot on the WAFL Women’s ladder by holding out a gallant Swan Districts to win by nine points at Revo Fitness Stadium on Sunday. Trailing by three points early in the fourth stanza, the Tigers kicked away with two in response to hold on for a vital victory against their finals-bound opponent, 6.2 (38) to 4.5 (29).

In a battle between first and third coming into Round 13, the Tigers were bolstered by some serious experience and are edging closer to their best side minus their top under 18s talents at the national championships. But they still took a little while to gel with Kayley King causing all sorts of headaches early in the first term with a pair of majors.

Claremont would respond with four of the next five goals over the next 47 minutes as Under 16s tall Hannah Seaborn slotted two and Jayde Musika nailed one in the final minute of the first half. Fortunately for Swan Districts, a major to Taylah Edwards had ensured the black and whites would lead heading into the main break, firmly in control of both the midfield and forward half possession despite the experience edge with the Tigers.

That lead would not last through to the final break however with the classy Jacinta Valentini becoming the only scorer in the premiership quarter with a major putting her Claremont side in front. The phenomenal effort of Jaime Henry on the inside combined with the run of Indiana West was important, while Lauren Quaife was getting first hands to her midfielders.

However it was King who would again bob up when her side needed her, kicking the opener in the fourth term for the visitors to edge ahead once more. It would only be a temporary feeling of relieve with Georgia Webb and Seaborn – for her third – both kicking majors to push out the margin again. It stayed at that difference with Claremont spending more time in attack and being able to hold off the Swans for an impressive hard-fought win.

Jayme Harken (18 disposals, two marks and 10 tackles), Sarah Viney (16 disposals, eight tackles and three inside 50s) and Matilda Sergeant (14 disposals, two marks and six tackles) were constantly under pressure in midfield, while Seaborn booted three straight from five disposals and five marks. Valentini, Kate Orme and Mackenzie Webb also showed their experience in the win.

Henry finished with 25 disposals, four marks, five inside 50s and a massive 17 tackles, while King (16 disposals, eight tackles and three goals was enormous up forward. West (22 disposals, three marks, five tackles and three inside 50s) also impressed, with Summer Yarran a little inaccurate with three behinds, but still lively tallying 20 touches. Quaife (46 hitouts from 13 disposals and five tackles) was strong at the stoppages.

The Tigers take on South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval next Saturday afternoon, while Swan Districts will look to bounce back against last placed East Perth. If the results go as expected, the Swans will regain the third spot they lost from the result on Saturday.

CLAREMONT 1.0 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 6.2 (38)
SWAN DISTRICTS 2.2 | 34. | 3.4 | 4.5 (29)

GOALS:
Claremont: H. Seaborn 3, J. Valentini, G. Webb, J, Musika
Swan Districts: K. King 3, T. Edwards

RMC BEST:
Claremont: J. Harken, S. Viney, M. Webb, H. Seaborn, M. Sergeant
Swan Districts: J. Henry, I. West, K. King, S. Yarran, L. Quaife

AROUND THE GROUNDS

East Fremantle kept its finals hopes alive with an impressive 12-point win over West Perth at Shark Park, getting up 6.4 (40) to 4.4 (28). Another enormous game from defender Madison Evans saw the Shark interceptor finish with 25 disposals and 13 marks, while up the other end, Sarah Wielstra booted two goals from 20 touches. Amber Kinnane – in her 50th WAFLW game – was busy, while for West Perth, the returning Emily Bennett and winger Taylor Ferguson were both among the best.

Subiaco showed its ability to maximise inside 50 opportunities with a dominant 9.8 (62) to 1.3 (9) triumph over Peel Thunder. Despite the lob-sided scoreboard, it was more a case of the Lions scoring 53 per cent of the times they entered the forward 50 compared to Peel’s 14 per cent. Paige Sheppard (32 disposals, five marks, five tackles and a goal) was outstanding again alongside fellow experienced players Krstel Petrevski and Lisa Steane, while Chloe Shearing booted three goals. Peel’s Chloe Wrigley and Ebony Dowson both topped 30 disposals in defeat.

In a similar scoreline but actually a one-sided demolition, South Fremantle cut through East Perth with a massive 10-goal win. The Bulldogs got up 8.13 (61) to 0.1 (1) at Sullivan Logistics Stadium thanks to massive clearance (39-20) and inside 50 (39-9) differentials. Tahleah Mulder and Madizen Wilkins found plenty of the ball, as Jasmine Bazeley and Tara Stribley add the run. The returning Emily Boothman performed strongly in defeat, with Sabella Banks‘ defensive pressure a highlight.