WA Football Commission

Written by Sandra Argese, 4 August 2019

Claremont has survived a scare from a hungry Peel Thunder outfit to run out 11 point winners on Sunday afternoon.

Cloudy conditions at Claremont Oval set the scene for the seesaw-like affair. The tone of the afternoon was set by several lead changes, with neither side more dominant than their opponent for the opening three quarters. 

But such was the sheer intensity the game which made it one of the tightest arm wrestles of the season.

With a goal a piece at the end of the first quarter, only two points separated the two sides. The trend certainly continued. 

Hereripene Williams was forced from the ground after coming off second best from a collision halfway through the second term. She later returned to the field, and proved to be one of Peel’s best clearance winners all game.

Claremont nudged ahead in the inside 50 count, but Peel’s defence held their ground. With just over two minutes remaining before half time, neither side had managed a goal for the quarter, until the Tigers clawed back in front when Zoe Timmers slotted a much-needed goal for the home side. The lead was short lived, with a goal to Peel’s Kira Phillips – who forced a turnover by marking the ball from a Claremont kick out – less than one minute later giving the Thunder a one point buffer at the main break.  

Mother nature decided to pull a few tricks from her sleeve as the heavens opened to heavy rain at half time, leaving the ground wet and slippery.

Peel’s Zoe Cocking had to be taken from the ground following an accidental collision in the third term. Caitlin Boccamazzo found herself off the field in the hands of trainers with what appeared to be a leg problem.

While Claremont were only ahead by five points at three quarter time, it was still anyone’s game to win.

It was the final term and consecutive goals to Taylah Suda - who finished as the Tigers lead scorer for the day with two majors - Jessica Fenton and Elizabeth Drake helped the Tigers to a 21 point lead, and the biggest margin of the afternoon.

A response from the visitors in the final term did eventually arrive, but it was all a case of too little, too late.

Kira Phillips finished with four goals and gave the Tigers defence a lot to worry about all afternoon. Leading well and finding space all afternoon, her strong chest marks and precision kicking in front of goal proved a telling factor for Peel. Fighting back in the last term to kick the last two goals of the game, she drew the margin back to 11 points – but the damage had been done.

In the grand scheme of things, the result sees both sides remain right in the mix for finals football; Claremont remain top spot on the ladder, while Peel hold onto fourth spot. 

QUARTER BY QUARTER

CLAREMONT TIGERS: 1.0 (6) 2.1 (13) 4.3 (27) 7.2 (44)
PEEL THUNDER: 1.2 (8) 2.2 (14) 3.4 (22) 5.5 (35)

GOALSCORERS

CLAREMONT TIGERS: Taylah Suda (2), Jessica Fenton, Sally Williamson, Zoe Timmers, Elizabeth Drake, Caitlin Lewis.
PEEL THUNDER: Kira Phillips (4), Casara Hill.