Round 4 – East Perth v Claremont Match ReportMonday, April 10, 2017 - 8:43 AM - by Chris Pike

ROUND 4 of the WAFL season began under lights at Leederville Oval on Friday night with Claremont remaining undefeated in 2017 beating East Perth by 36 points.

Friday night football returned to Leederville Oval and with Claremont aiming to avoid a first loss of 2017 and East Perth determined for a first victory, and with both clubs under new coaches, it was always going to be a fascinating contest.

It was the Royals who started well with four opening quarter goals but the Tigers held them scoreless in the second term while piling on six goals themselves.

That set up the win and after an even second half Claremont ran out 16.9 (105) to 11.3 (69) winners.

The result leaves Claremont undefeated in 2017 under new coach Darren Harris with victories now over East Fremantle, Perth and East Perth.

East Perth, meanwhile, remains without a victory in 2017 under Luke Webster with losses now to Peel Thunder, West Perth, Swan Districts and Claremont.

Claremont once again proved to have plenty of options in attack with Zac Langdon continuing his tremendous start to the season with three goals from 18 possessions.

Tom Lee, Beau Maister, Ian Richardson and captain Jake Murphy all kicked two goals apiece for the Tigers. That was despite Kyle Anderson and Eric Mackenzie doing good defensive jobs for East Perth on Lee and Maister respectively.

Along with their two goals, Richardson also gathered 23 possessions for Claremont while Murphy also had 25 disposals.

Claremont had plenty of big ball winners as well with Ryan Lim continuing his hot start to 2017 with another 36 possessions and a goal.

Jye Bolton also racked up 33 disposals for the Tigers, Tom Ledger 30, Matt Guelfi 30, Bailey Banfield 23, Keifer Yu 21 and the recalled Jack Bradshaw 18.

Mitch Andrews worked hard in the ruck for 14 possessions and 39 hit outs for Claremont.

East Perth was desperate to try and find some avenues to goal and Will Maginness did step up to kick four goals from 23 possessions. Daniel Venables also kicked two majors but between Tom Lamb and Fraser McInnes they got just the one major.

Dom Sheed responded to his demotion from the West Coast Eagles racking up 37 possessions, eight tackles, seven inside-50 entries and a goal for East Perth.

Luke Partington also gathered 29 disposals for the Royals, Steven Payne 24, Francis Watson 24, Kurt Mutimer 23, Malcolm Karpany 22, Jordan Snadden 18 and Will Schofield 18.

Mackenzie also finished with 21 disposals and 11 marks to go with his strong defensive efforts.

Scott Jones battled hard in the ruck for East Perth with 10 touches, seven tackles, 25 hit outs and a goal.

Claremont now takes on South Fremantle in what shapes as a fascinating contest between two in-form teams on Good Friday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

East Perth faces another big test also on Good Friday to try to get a win on the board against Subiaco at Leederville Oval.

CLAREMONT            3.1    9.3    14.5    16.9    (105)
EAST PERTH            4.0    4.0    7.1    11.3    (69)

CLAREMONT – Goals: Langdon 3; Maister, Murphy, I Richardson, Lee 2; Lim, Bradshaw, Holt, J Richardson, Guelfi.
Best: J Murphy, Lim, Langdon, Busher, I Richardson, Bolton, Ledger.
EAST PERTH – Goals: Maginness 4; Venables 2; Sheed, Lamb, Jones, Watson, Ameduri.
Best: Sheed, Maginness, Payne, Watson, Mackenzie, Anderson.