CLAREMONT has been far from its dominant self of the last 12 months, but another tight win over Subiaco on the weekend all but locked in a double chance for last year’s reigning premiers. The Tigers won by three points against the Lions, though a late goal from Krstel Petrevski with 30 seconds to play cut back what was a safe margin in the final few minutes during the 3.6 (24) to 3.3 (21) result.

After back-to-back losses to West Perth and East Fremantle – before a tight win over Peel Thunder – Claremont was staring down the barrel of a do-or-die semi-final. Fortunately, getting over the line against Subiaco, coupled with Swan Districts’ upset win over West Perth all but handed the reigning grand finalists second spot.

Though there is one round to play, Claremont takes on East Perth – which lost by 95 points on the weekend – and would need to lose that, and for West Perth to knock off Subiaco in order to drop out of second.

The match against Subiaco was tight and scrappy with both sets of defences forcing turnovers and intercepting at will. Claire Ortlepp back in the side made a huge difference for the Tigers, leading the visitors with the likes of Rebecca Tuckey and Anjelique Raison combining for 13 marks from 31 disposals.

They looked to have the game in the bag early, racking out to a 15-point lead at quarter time after majors to both Charlotte Tompkin and Eva Campo. In both instances, players had to get creative, with the former able to get boot to ball while being tackled in the goalsquare, and the latter just swinging on the line to connect running back to goal.

Realistically considering their early dominance, the Tigers should have been further in front, but the likes of Petrevski and winger Hayley Corlett were continuing their great form. The Tigers on-ball group was winning a stack of it, as Sarah Viney, Taylah Orzel and Jayme Harken shared it around.

On the scoreboard though, it was Subiaco hitting back, with Taya Strickland kicking her side’s first, then helped set up Jess Pillera a couple of minutes later, and all of a sudden it was game on. The Lions continued to pepper with a couple of flying misses from Olivia Wolmarans and Aimee Schmidt, before a rare Claremont forward thrust saw ruck Jessica Ritchie put it to the top of the goalsquare where Adele Arnup clunked a contested mark in the final minute and extended her side’s lead back out to eight points at the main break.

Goals were hard to come by after that, with just one more major coming in the last 40 minutes, that being Petrevski’s late consolation goal to cut the final deficit back to three points. Both teams had their chances, with Bec Anderson and Tompkin for the Tigers, and Layla Quinn-Schofield for the Lions, the latter of which hit the post after what was almost a ripping attempt under pressure.

Claremont knew how important the win was, with Tompkin setting the tone in the opening minute of the final term, laing a huge run-down tackle. Players from both sides looked a little unsure of who the game would finish with Subiaco having more chances inside 50, but looking to pass off for better looks. That allowed the strong marking Tigers defence to pick off a number of centring passes and rebound up the other end.

Though the Tigers would not kick a goal in the second half, their defence was superb and held up bravely despite Subiaco having multiple opportunities to get in front. By the time Petrevski had kicked that last goal and the ball returned to the middle, the siren sounded and the Tigers had got up bb just three points.

Claremont had plenty of big ball-winners, but the likes of Orzel, Viney and Campo through the midfield, as well as the forward pressure of Tompkin and defensive reliability of Tuckey and Raison really stood out. Bridie Garlick, Harken and Ritchie were also very good throughout the match.

For Subiaco, Petrevski was clearly best on, while Corlett and Wolmarans had their moments. Utility Madison Dodd impressed in defence, while Tiah Toth and Clare McCarthy found their fair share of the ball in an even display across the board.

SUBIACO 0.0 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 3.3 (21)
CLAREMONT 2.3 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.6 (24)

GOALS:
Subiaco: T. Strickland, J. Pillera, K. Petrevski
Claremont: C. Tompkin, E. Campo, A. Arnup

RMC BEST:
Subiaco: K. Petrevski, H. Corlett. M. Dodd. O. Wolmarans, T. Toth
Claremont: T. Orzel, S. Viney. E. Campo, C. Tompkin, J. Ritchie

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Swan Districts spoiled West Perth’s party with an upset 21-point win to not only essentially lock in a finals spot, but put a line through the Falcons’ double chance hopes.

While mathematically West Perth could still make top two and Swan Districts could still miss finals, the former would need Claremont to lose to East Perth, and the latter would need to be thrashed by Peel Thunder, while South storm past ladder leaders East Fremantle.

In the win at Pentanet Stadium, the Black Ducks always looked in control and never surrendered the leader, kicking 4.1 to the Falcons’ 1.4 in the first half, essentially summarising the match. Swan Districts took its chances with both Taylah Edwards and Sienna Gerardi kicking two goals.

Ball-winning midfielder Lily Paterson and her partner-in-crime Carys D’Addario were very good, while the composure of Emma Humphries and marking prowess of Isabella Edgley in defence was superb. The wing battle between Kayley King and Megan Norbury was box office, while Mia Russo (25 disposals, five marks and a goal) was arguably best afield in a loss. Emily Bennett also worked hard for the Falcons.

South Fremantle did keep its slim finals hopes alive earlier in the day with an 11-point win over Peel thunder. The Bulldogs really needed to grab a large chunk of percentage, but outside of Poppy Stockwell (three goals), did not really make the most of their inside 50s. In the end, a plus-12 differential (37-25) only amounted to a 5.6 (36) to 4.1 (25) victory.

Stockwell starred with three goals from 20 disposals, seven marks and five tackles, with another couple of shots falling short or just missing. Madizen Wilkins was outstanding from defence and through midfield, while Noa McNaughton was lively, and Liusaidh Gilchrist found plenty of the ball.

Peel skipper Ebony Dowson and midfielder Gracie Fenton had an equal match-high 26 touches, though it was Holly Britton (25 disposals, six marks) and Evie Cowcher (19 disposals, eight marks) who were the best for the Thunder.

The other game went about as expected with premiership favourites and ladder leaders East Fremantle getting down to business in a 95-point shellacking of East Perth. Outside of bottom-ager Lucy Greenwood‘s impressive second quarter set shot, the Royals were starved of scoring chances despite holding their own greater than one might think in such a lopsided contest.

Though the final score was 15.11 (101) to 1.0 (6), the Royals still had 22 inside 50s, but the Sharks were able to repel and score 26 times from 38 entries of their own. Sarah Wielstra, Chloe Reilly and Grace Freeman all kicked three goals, while Alicia Blizard helped herself to two. For the Royals, Greenwood (17 disposals, five marks, dive tackles and a goal) was a clear standout, while Layla Firns and Jess Verbrugge tried hard all game.