WAFL 2025: Claremont produce highest-scoring term of year in opening quarter to set up big win over West Perth

Faced with testing, breezy conditions and muddy patches of turf at their Davies Road home, Claremont were most likely bracing for a low-scoring scrap as Saturday’s clash with West Perth got underway. Instead, the Tigers produced their highest-scoring term of the season in a stunning start to all but sew up the result by quarter-time. Claremont slammed through seven goals to the Falcons’ one in the opening stanza, laying the foundation for a 14.9 (93) to 9.7 (61) victory at Revo Fitness Stadium that launched them into the WAFL’s top two. In contrast to the Tigers’ fourth straight win, the result marked a sixth defeat inside seven games for West Perth to cause further headaches for coach Jason Salecic. Ruck star Ollie Eastland was superb with 28 disposals, 41 hitouts and a whopping 14 clearances, setting up a midfield domination led by Jye Bolton (32 touches, seven clearances). Former Fremantle Docker Joel Western (20 disposals) was a spark plug upon his injection into the side, getting first hands on the footy from the opening stoppage and barely looking back in an enterprising opening term. It included setting up plenty of opportunities for teammates and cashing in with a goal of his own in what was a welcome return to the senior side. Claremont’s first-quarter rampage included a string of three goals in as many minutes, punctuated by a neat snap by four-goal forward Jaiden Hunter from deep in the pocket, as the Tigers moved the ball with ease with the aid of a deceptive breeze. A rev-up from Falcons veteran Aaron Black before Salecic’s quarter-time address briefly sparked a response, with the visitors showing improvement early in the second term that included a Corey Rundle major. But it was countered almost immediately by a soccered goal for Kieran Gowdie’s third to help the Tigers assume control and set up a commanding 44-point half-time advantage in front of a delighted home crowd. Rogers banged through the first goal after the main break, having taken advantage of a 50-metre penalty, to crush any thoughts of an unlikely comeback despite an improved opposition that kicked four goals to the trickier southern end in the third term. The 2021 Sandover medallist briefly sent a scare through the Tigers camp after limping off early in the final term favouring right leg, but he returned late in the contest. Tyler Keitel helped the Falcons gain some respect by winning the second half, with the spearhead enjoying a push up the ground to amass 27 disposals and seven clearances. CLAREMONT 7.3, 9.5, 13.7, 14.9 (93) WEST PERTH 1.0, 2.3, 6.6, 9.7 (61) Goals - CLAREMONT: J Hunter 4 K Gowdie 3 S Alvarez T Delacey Z Mainwaring L Martinis B Rogers A Waterman J Western. WEST PERTH: D Dixon 2 T Keitel 2 K Knott 2 Z Patterson 2 C Rundle. Best - CLAREMONT: O Eastland J Bolton B Rogers B Elliott T Delacey J Hunter J Western. WEST PERTH: T Keitel Z Guadagnin C Lynch S Nelson K Bevan. Umpires: T McPhee L Fahey-Gilmour B Evans L Jago. Crowd: TBC at Revo Fitness Stadium.