Seven-goal Gowdie helps Tigers crush Demons

John Townsend

Kieran Gowdie produced the best performance of his career and second best-on-ground effort in a month as Claremont unveiled a ruthless streak to demolish a fellow finals contender.

Gowdie’s seven goal haul – mostly conversions of strong contested marks ashe dominated the forward 50 at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday – almost singlehandedly accounted for Perth.

It also provided lively defender Jack Lewsey with the perfect stage to celebrate his 100th league appearance.

The 67-point win, 20.9 (129) to 9.8 (62), was one of the most clinical performances of the current Ashley Prescott era as Claremont resisted several tough challenges in the first half before crushing the Demons in the second. The margin was five points at half-time but Perth were restricted to just 10 inside-50 entries and one goal after that.

Every Claremont player made a contribution of some sort.

They ranged from the powerful Gowdie’s magnetic display in attack, which made him the first Tiger to land at least seven goals since Jack Bradshaw kicked eight in 2016, to ferocious Mitch Barron’s 14 tackles, to young backman Jasper Peace keeping Perth’s dangerous Aaron Clarke to just three kicks.

Selection pressure will build in coming weeks when key forward Jaiden Hunter and captain Dec Mountford become available so every player is aware of the need to keep performing.

Gowdie might have got the memo earlier in the year, with his three-goal effort against West Perth a month ago crucial to that tight win, but he surpassed that display on Saturday with 10 marks, 15 disposals, 7.1 and unstoppable impact.

Claremont’s stars continue to shine but it was the contributions of some of the lesser lights that provided proof of the buy-in from all players.

Ruckman Ollie Eastland shaded his workmanlike opponent Josh Edwards, and backed up his career-best three goals last week with another two from smart set shots near the boundary.

Key midfielders Jye Bolton, Bailey Rogers and Callan England got plenty of the ball and used it with precision, with the most recent of the three Sandover medallists kicking the goal of the day after starting a scything run forward from near the centre.

Barron provided a muscular presence and was typical of the constant pressure that helped Claremont score 14 of their goals from turnovers.

Peace had a tough challenge against the dangerous Clarke but won virtually every contest while first-year player Austn van der Struyf had a brilliant second term as a rebounding defender when Perth turned up the heat and kicked five of their nine goals.

That pair’s efforts were complemented by veteran Dec Hardisty, who added a rebounding string to his bow, while Anthony Davis maintained his impact as an excellent interceptor and creative force with ball in hand.

Max Minear also had a breakout match with three contested marks and 12 contested possessions as a highly effective key back.

Ronin O’Connor was set the hardest task of the match when he was sent to Charlie Constable, the WAFL’s leading ball-winner.

The Demon finished with 34 touches and two goals, but a key part of Claremont’s second-half supremacy was built on O’Connor’s success in closing down the former Geelong player.

Claremont had less success with Brandan Parfitt, the 130-game Geelong premiership player, who won nine clearances from his 17 contested possessions, but his options were restricted after getting the ball.

Gowdie and Alec Waterman were sticky-fingered targets in attack who helped the home team claim 18 marks inside 50, while their accurate kicking from range ensured the work done up the field was rewarded.

Gowdie struck twice in the opening minutes to set the standard for the Tigers, kicked the final score of the third term to give Claremont unstoppable momentum and then smiled broadly in the last term when a relay free kick fell in his lap and enabled him to finish with seven goals.

The only bigger smile came from Lewsey who matched his first and 50th milestones with a memorable win at home.

CLAREMONT 6.1 9.2 14.4 20.8 128

PERTH 3.2 8.3 8.4 9.7 61

GOALS – CLAREMONT: Gowdie 7; Waterman, Eastland, Disisto 2; Rogers, Martinis, Elliott, England, Delacey, Smallwood, Mainwaring.

PERTH: Clarke, Constable, Derksen 2; Schlensog, Paton, Thorne.

BEST – CLAREMONT: Gowdie, Elliott, Rogers, Peace, Bolton, Minear, Barron, Eastland, England.

PERTH: Parfitt, Constable, Hine-Baston, Scoble, Byrne.