FootyGoss Round News
East Perth versus Claremont
Saturday August 28, 2.15 PM
| WAFL | 1/4 | 1/2 | 3/4 | Full |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Perth | 3.6 | 4.12 | 8.20 | 12.23 (95) |
| Claremont | 1.5 | 7.7 | 9.10 | 11.13 (79) |
Match Summary
BRENDAN LEICESTER
Royals save best for last
AN inspired East Perth side has produced its best performance of the season at Medibank Stadium, upsetting premiership fancy Claremont by 16-points to secure its first finals appearance since 2007.
The Royals will now face East Fremantle in the first semi-final at Shark Park next Saturday, after handing the Tigers just their second loss this year in the 12.23 (95) to 11.13 (79) triumph.
However, it almost wasn’t, with the Royals’ inaccuracy in front of goals keeping the Tigers in the contest for the best part of three and a half quarters.
A productive start by East Perth was quickly erased in the second quarter though, as the home side found themselves on the wrong side of the whistleblowers.
Claremont managed to capitalise with three goals from a raft free kick opportunities, before adding two late in the term to arrest control of the match with a 13-point half time lead.
A goal from Tigers tall Andrew Ruck to start the third made the signs look ominous, as the Royals again continued to pepper the sticks with eight consecutive behinds.
Veteran midfielder Craig Wulff eventually broke the drought at the 13-minute mark, as his side mounted a comeback with the next three goals to hit the lead and set up an enthralling finish.
Not many predicted East Perth to challenge the minor premier, given the 103-point thrashing they suffered the last time they met, but with Wulff (25 possessions) in top flight, they had every chance.
He was backed up well by fellow midfielders Aaron Sweet (28) and Brendon Lee (27) while Craig Glancy provided plenty of rebound off half back with 27 touches as well.
A misfiring East Perth forward line frustrated fans at times, but overall was effective with Ben McKinley, Michael Swan, Adam Prior, Zac Clarke and Mat Seal adding 9.17 to the score.
In the final stanza, the Royals could only convert one of three chances, which would have put the result beyond doubt, but they still held onto an 18-point lead midway through.
However, Tigers forward Ian Richardson had a chance to make them pay, after getting two quick goals on opponent Jye Keath, and could have levelled the scores shortly after.
The aforementioned Clarke (2.4) provided the steadier, before McKinley (4.4) stepped up to the plate with a goal in time-on to secure the memorable victory.
Ian Rowe was outstanding for Claremont, as were AFL-listed players Byron Schammer (28) and Lewis Stevenson (26) who used his evasive skills to full advantage with a brilliant goal to end the second.
Key playmakers Luke Blackwell (15) and Ryan Brabazon (14) were kept quiet by their usual standards, while Donald Stirling kept the dangerous Jarrod Ninyette goalless.
GOALS:
Royals: McKinley 4, Clarke 2, Oakley-Nicholls, Wulff 1, Swan, Prior, Seal,
Tigers: Richardson 4, Brabazon 1, Rowe, Ruck, Stevenson, Schammer, Swift, Wilkes
BEST:
Royals: Wulff, Sweet, Glancy, Clarke, McKinley
Tigers: Rowe, Richardson, Stevenson, Schammer, Swift
