With a mountain to climb heading into the final period, the Tigers were made to rue missed chances as a freakish Cameron Maynard<\/a> goal at the other end all but sealed their fate. The result will see Claremont miss out on a Grand Final for the first time since 2018, while South searches for its first flag since 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CLAREMONT 2.1 | 4.2 | 6.2 | 9.7 (61) GOALS: BEST:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n CLAREMONT:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #1 <\/strong>Robert Farmer<\/a> (West Coast NGA)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>13 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a game of two halves for Farmer, who showed his raw talent after a few early moments he’d want back. Albeit attempting to assert himself in a fiery final, the Eagles NGA prospect gave away a 100-metre penalty and another needless free kick in the first half. Given he was up for the fight, instead of dragging him, Claremont thrust him into the middle where his speed and creativity came to the fore. He owed his side and eventually played like it, including with a gutsy mark and set shot goal late in the piece. In glimpses, his slick hands and effortless turn of foot caught the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #4 <\/strong>Noah Braun<\/a> (West Coast F\/S)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>24 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Returning to the fold after a quad injury, Braun had a case for being Claremont\u2019s best in defeat. He was equal parts polished and tough on the inside, extracting the ball and dishing it out or accelerating into space. The West Coast father-son hopeful rode the bumps, including with a strong mark to slot his only goal in the first term. Braun\u2019s punchy left-foot field kicking was another feature of his game and he was super efficient in the cut and thrust of finals action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #6 <\/strong>Harper Banfield<\/a> (West Coast F\/S)<\/strong> Stats: <\/strong>26 disposals, 4 marks, 8 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n In combination with Braun, Banfield burrowed in hard at stoppages and was prominent amongst the midfield battle. His willingness to hunt and apply pressure made him effective going both ways, both willing the pill and shutting down opposition exits. Banfield\u2019s burst sped and power meant he had opportunities to take ground before launching forward, although some of his delivery wavered under pressure. His overhead mark inside 50 during the final term was reminiscent of big brother Charlie<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #8 <\/strong>Sam Irving<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>17 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 4 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Playing a similar role to George Gale<\/strong> as a tall wingman with strong aerobic underpinnings, Irving was a surprise packet on Sunday. He ran terrific patterns on the outside, providing width and drifting into both 50-metre arcs to offer aerial support. His size and willingness to launch at the ball third-up were outstanding. Irving also looked to utilise his favoured left foot on the way forward and imposed himself physically with some big tackles. He has a bunch of traits perfectly suited to his role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n #10 <\/strong>Tom Brown<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>10 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n Claremont\u2019s battering ram down back, Brown played tall and small depending on what his side required. He was most prominent in the air, proving difficult to beat in one-on-one battles and throwing himself into contests. Brown\u2019s power and closing speed was enough to make marking forwards wince, and his tackling was just as aggressive. He was thrown into the centre bounces during term four in an attempt to further impose his physicality and urgency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #25 <\/strong>Elijah Dennis<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dennis was a calming influence across Claremont\u2019s defensive half, intercepting in the air and mopping up at ground level. He leant on his mobility and playreading to arrive where the ball was heading, before taking possession and dishing it out with composure. Dennis generally took the ball cleanly and was reliable, but can perhaps take the next step by enhancing his physical output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #38 <\/strong>Benji van Rooyen<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 31 hitouts<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clearly confident after his stint at senior level, van Rooyen owned his ruck domain and managed to sustain his impact around the ground. His superior reach and aerial range were difficult to handle both in the ruck and when competing for marks, although the bigman is still developing his contest work. Pleasingly, van Rooyen showed touches of finesse with ball in hand and followed up extremely well for a player his size, even applying heavy tackles at stoppage. A strong end to his season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SOUTH FREMANTLE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #1 <\/strong>Cameron Maynard<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>9 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maynard\u2019s moments of magic carried on into Sunday\u2019s game, as the small forward helped ice the game with his stunning fourth quarter goal. Latching onto a loose ball out the back, Maynard darted towards the left-hand boundary and threaded the needle via the outside of his right boot. His first goal was credit to that same speed and crumbing ability, with Maynard getting into great positions and attacking the ball with venom. He was hard but fair, perhaps best shown when he and Tom Brown <\/strong>careered into each other during the first term, with Maynard popping back up first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #5 <\/strong>Jack McAuliffe<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>16 disposals, 5 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 3 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n They say the third is the premiership quarter, but McAuliffe went about 25 minutes early with his game-defining three goals in term two. His killer instinct was clear to see, showing innate goal sense to quickly slam the ball home on the run not once, but thrice. The co-captain\u2019s two majors on the eve of half time were massive team-lifters, while his first came on the end of a shrewd smother. McAuliffe was otherwise sighted scrapping hard to surge the ball forward and laid a selfless shepherd to send Jye Hunt<\/strong> into goal during term three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #11 <\/strong>Heath Wilson<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>12 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n While not a massive accumulator, Wilson played an important role in midfield where his size and strong frame were essential. He absorbed pressure and dished it out, either standing up in tackles to release teammates or wrapping up opponents to force a stoppage. Wilson was difficult to outmuscle in one-on-one duels or over the ground ball, and tended to dish it out cleanly. Adding a touch of explosive speed and dynamism could help take his game to the next level. Although, he managed to hurt the opposition with a snap goal in the first term which he chased over the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #12 <\/strong>Chace Vanderhoek<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>24 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recently crowned Jack Clarke Medallist has just about done it all at Colts level as a bottom-ager, pending a potential premiership this coming weekend. Vanderhoek was typically clean at stoppage and worked hard to provide support around the ground, looking his best when able to remain poised and distribute the ball calmly. He was prone to dumping long kicks under pressure, but had plenty of instances where he stopped, propped and found space to make the right decision. He was another midfielder who hit the scoreboard, converting a long-range set shot in the opening term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #15 <\/strong>Jarrah Hayden<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>9 disposals, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n The only over-ager to take the field, Hayden certainly made his presence felt. Defiant of his stat line, he was a vital connection piece for South Fremantle with his ability to present down the line and play a little taller than his 184cm standing. Hayden\u2019s strong frame and raking left foot served him well as he looked to follow up and launch the ball forward, often having to absorb plenty of pressure in doing so. His two goals were quality, the first being a ridiculous snap from the boundary, and his second coming from a tough set shot to steady South Fremantle in the third term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SOUTH FREMANTLE 4.2 | 9.2 | 12.2 | 14.4 (88)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Claremont: <\/strong>I. Darling 2, G. Giltrow 2, N. Braun, N. Blakeney, R. Farmer, J. Kee, E. Williams
South Fremantle: <\/strong>J. McAuliffe 3, J. Hayden 2, C. Maynard 2, K. Clucas, B. Foster, K. Freight, J. Hunt, E. Nathan, C. Vanderhoek, H. Wilson<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Claremont: <\/strong>N. Braun, B. van Rooyen, H. Banfield, S. Irving, T. Brown, E. Dennis
South Fremantle: <\/strong>J. McAuliffe, H. Graham, Z. Godwin, C. Vanderhoek, J. Hayden, C. Maynard<\/p>\n\n\n\nClaremont<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>South Fremantle<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Forward\/Midfielder | 179cm | 17\/07\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 183cm | 22\/10\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 181cm | 18\/12\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wing | 190cm | 23\/09\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defender | 188cm | 29\/07\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Defender | 193cm | 26\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruck\/Key Forward | 203cm | 17\/09\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Small Forward | 171cm | 14\/08\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 177cm | 14\/02\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 187cm | 04\/08\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder | 177cm | 14\/05\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forward | 184cm | 30\/10\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n