WA Football Commission

Piranhas bring down Falcons in Style Tuesday, September 8, 2015 - 6:58 AM

The Claremont Piranhas have stayed true to their status as premiership favourites by bringing down the Joondalup Falcons by over six goals in Sunday's Reserves Grand Final.

Among well fought out Grand Final intensity, neither team could break free of the other as the margin stood at only three points at quarter time. The Piranhas looked dangerous in front of goal, but failed to convert to finish the opening term with only four behinds, whilst Joondalup had 1.1 (7) to their name.

Jaime Hearle opened the second term for her team in style, taking a contested grab twenty meters out in front of goal which she kicked truly. This was Claremont’s first goal of the match and from there, they didn't look back. Bella Zadnik followed suit moments later, with a textbook drop punt set shot on goal courtesy of a great marking effort.

Zoe Palandri worked hard around the ground and throughout the midfield to keep the ball inside Claremont’s forward half. Her smart ball use and deliveries inside fifty proved influential in the Piranhas attack. No one was left surprised when she took out the Best on Ground medal, rewarded for her hard work and commitment in and around contests.

Claremont were in control for the majority of the second quarter. Though they outscored the Falcons by two goals in this term, their lead was nothing close of safe with a thirteen point lead, leaving the match still wide open for anyone to win.

The second half saw Claremont’s inaccuracy let them down in front of goal as they could have extended their lead much further.Steph Yanev reminded onlookers why she won the reserves leading goal scorer award for 2015, opening the final term with a strong mark and goal. Her contested grabs throughout the game and pressure up forward proved very important.

The Falcons were inaccurate kicking outside of their defensive 50, forcing turnovers from uncertain kicks. An opportunity for a spark of motivation arrived as Claremont gave away a free kick to Kylie Lane in front of Joondalup's goal. Unfortunately for the Falcons, the opportunity disappeared as the ball was unkind, avoiding the goalposts to bounce out of the boundary in an unfortunate reminder of Joondalup’s tough day. 

The sealer arrived as Amy Woods of Claremont kicked true directly in front of goal in the dying moments of the 2015 grand final.

‘Its been a long eight months, with some trying times. It’s a great opportunity to strut our stuff. For all the work we put in, well done and congratulations’ - Claremont Coach Charmaine Rogers

It was Claremont’s game to win all along, and deservedly so. What began as a tight match was won in the second half through the Pirahanas dominance and class. It’s no secret why the Piranhas have been the top side all season. Instead of being known as the premiership favorites, they’re now the very deserving premiers of 2015.

Final Score: Claremont Piranhas 7.17 (59) def Joondalup Falcons 3.3 (21)

Written by Sandra Argese