Tigers Target One Percenters

Claremont coach Ashley Prescott refuses to look in the rearview mirror heading into the 2026 Sullivan Logistics WAFL season.

The Tigers bowed out of the premiership race last year in the Preliminary Final against East Perth by five points following a home and away season which netted 14-and-a-half wins.

“We have worked very hard over the summer months,” Prescott said.

“When you collectively do this, it leads to feeling optimistic that we will compete very hard.

Despite the retirement of dual Sandover Medallist Jye Bolton, Claremont has maintained a talented list with designs on challenging for its first flag since 2012.

“We have had a strong, young, and committed group of core players that have their best football ahead of them,” Prescott said.

“With hard work and strong method, every individual on our list has an enormous capacity to improve.”

Prescott is adamant there’s no point looking back at 2025 and the opportunity the side missed, placing a priority on the club as a whole moving forward.

“Last year is irrelevant, we are at ground zero with every other team,” Prescott explained.

“Our focus at the football club is to get one per cent better every day.

“Coaches, players, support staff, and volunteers, we are all in it together.

“Our focus is firmly on the actions and behaviours to become a great team.”

Claremont begins its campaign against West Perth on Easter Saturday, April 4.

“We cannot wait to test ourselves and compete with intensity week in week out,” he said.

“Round 1 up at Joondalup is an exciting challenge and we cannot wait.”

One the Tigers’ ins are former South Fremantle player Tyson Headland, who has impressed in his first WAFL pre-season in several years, while Oliver Sheldrick and Max Spyvee return to the club and Adam Boules joins from East Perth.

Bolton and fellow retiree Lachlan Martinis are Claremont’s biggest off-season departures, with the rest fringe players in search of greater senior WAFL opportunities.

Claremont

2025 finish: Preliminary final

Coach: Ash Prescott (sixth season)

Captains: Callan England and Bailey Rogers (new)

Ins: Adam Boules (East Perth), Tyson Headland (Kwinana/Perth Football League), Oliver Sheldrick (travel), Max Spyvee (Augusta-Margaret River/South West)

Outs: Eric Benning (East Fremantle/WAFL), Jye Bolton (retired), Kai Dehavilland (West Perth/WAFL), Menno Inverarity (West Perth/WAFL), Lachlan Martinis (retired)