Rogers Chasing Grand Final Redemption

Claremont co-captain Bailey Rogers is hoping it will be a case of third time lucky when he leads the Tigers into Sunday’s Sullivan Logistics Grand Final at Optus Stadium.

Rogers has played in two losing Grand Finals, against South Fremantle in 2020 and West Perth in 2022 but gets his chance to cap off a brilliant career with a premiership.

Regular flag contenders this decade, Claremont has been unable to go the whole way and win their first premiership since 2012.

“It has been disappointing for four or five years now, so to get so close but not play in the last game of the hurt has hurt,” Rogers told Channel 7 after his side’s Preliminary Final win over East Perth.

“To be in Sunday’s Grand Final and have a chance to win it all, it’s a pretty special feeling.”

The Tigers were in control of the Preliminary Final against the Royals with a 20-point half time lead.

But they were headed in the third term as the Claremont finals curse threatened to strike again.

“We knew they were going to come out hard after half time and they kick, kicking the next three goals of the game,” he said.

“We just had to settle a bit and get the game back on our terms.

“It felt like we didn’t touch the ball in the third quarter, but we got to the break and had a chat and just steadied a little bit and were able to hold on in the end.”

Despite trailing by four points turning for home the Tigers kicked three goals to one in the last quarter with Rogers sent into defence to keep the Royals at bay.

“That direction came from Ashley Prescott for me to go behind the ball,” Rogers said.

“It was all about making East Perth’s task of scoring difficult and fortunately I was able to get in front of the ball a couple of times and stopped a goal hopefully.”

Claremont has played Peel three times this season for one win and two defeats.

The Tigers took the points in Round 2 at Revo Fitness Stadium with an 11-point result, while the Thunder won a three-point thriller when the sides met in Round 13 before the minor premiers flexed their muscles with a 28-point triumph in the Second Semi Final.

Rogers, a Sandover Medallist in 2021, will play game number 194 in the Grand Final against Peel Thunder.

It would be fitting if he could add a premiership to his list of achievements.

“This week it is all about recovery because we will be coming up against a fit, great WAFL side with a host of AFL talent who have had a week off,” he said.

“Apart from recovery we will hit the track this week and do everything we can to prepare for one of the biggest games of our lives.”