CLAREMONT ticked off another box in its quest for back-to-back flags, defeating the red-hot Swan Districts by 21 points at Revo Fitness Stadium yesterday. In what was touted as a thriller given the Swans were coming off seven straight wins, and Claremont was yet to lose a match, it was the more experienced Tigers who got the job done, 5.7 (37) to 2.4 (16).

In one of the Tigers’ biggest challenges of the year, Claremont passed with flying colours, restricting the dangerous Swan Districts to just two goals for the match, and only four behinds in three of the tour quarters. Though tested in the second term, the Tigers proved too strong, kicking 2.4 to 0.3 in the second half.

Both teams had their chances early, but it was not until Adele Arnup put one through the big sticks midway through the first term that Claremont was on the board. On the eve of the first break, she made it two and the Tigers went out to a 12-point lead.

With Kate Orme providing run on the outside, and the likes of Jayme Harken, Sarah Garstone and Sarah Viney crashing and bashing on the inside, Claremont was able to maintain ascendancy even when Swans midfielder Ruby Mahony kicked her sides’ first in the seventh minute of the second term. Tigers debutant Bec Anderson then got on the board much to the delight of her teammates just 90 seconds later to reply, and Claremont soon edged out to a 13-point lead.

Winger Kayley King would respond for the black and whites, and be among their most consistent players again, with Eliza Gelmi and Jasmine Ware working hard behind the ball. Mahony was applying plenty of pressure in the middle, but despite their best efforts, the visitors still trailed by eight points at half-time.

A third goal to Arnup just a minute and a half into the third term really set the tone, and Claremont dominated forward half possession. Luckily for Swan Districts, all the Tigers could muster were four behinds, but in doing so, extended the lead out to three straight kicks. Leading goalkicker Courtney Zappara missed a chance later in the term when Swan Districts had its chances up forward, with Claremont leading by 17 with a quarter to play.

The black and whites fought to the end, but could only add two more behinds, and in typical Claremont fashion, the reigning premiers just got it done. Rachel Ortlepp kicked the sealer and finished with 15 disposals, three marks and five inside 50s as well, while Claremont came away with a the 21-point victory.

Orme (25 disposals, two marks and three inside 50s), Harken (23 disposals, four marks, six tackles and four inside 50s) and Garstone (22 disposals, four marks and four tackles) were all influential, while Arnup proved the difference up forward with three goals.

For Swan Districts, Ware (20 disposals, six marks) found the ball more than any other player on the losing side, while Gelmi (16 disposals, two marks and six tackles) and King (15 disposals, one goal) were both busy. Mahony (13 disposals, 10 tackles) brought her typical heat, as Isabella Edgley returned to the team and took four marks from 12 disposals.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Subiaco crushed Peel Thunder by 41 points in an inaccurate display, keeping its top four hopes alive in the process. The Thunder failed to score throughout the entirety of the match, as the Lions had 43 inside 50s to 11. Largely dominated by forward half possession, Subiaco booted 1.5 in the third term which could have really blown out the margin, and finished with a scoreline of 5.11 (41) to 0.0 (0).

Captain Tarnica Golisano was superb with 27 disposals, three marks, eight tackles and five inside 50s to lead from the front. Megan Brown (27 disposals, five marks, five tackles, six inside 50s and two goals) was the dominant player up forward, while youngsters Olivia Crane and Eva Popovsky also impressed in the win.

Peel Thunder defender Evie Cowcher (26 disposals, 12 marks and four tackles) was an unstoppable force again on the rebound, while skipper Ebony Dowson had 25 touches, five marks and three tackles. Krystal Carter also had 15 disposals, seven marks and five tackles in a hard-working effort.