Tiger time! Claremont through to prelim after ending Demon fairytaleSunday, September 7, 2025 - 4:42 PM - by Jordan McArdle

Claremont have bounced back from a tough Qualifying Final loss to earn a chance at redemption against East Perth in next Sunday’s WAFL Preliminary Final at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

The Tigers won a one-sided First Semi-Final clash at Revo Fitness Stadium on Sunday by 39 points – 12.10 (82) to 6.7 (43) – to end Perth’s hopes of a premiership fairytale in front of 4217 fans on a wet and wild afternoon.

It capped off a massive day for Claremont on their home turf, with their EGT WAFL Colts side also sealing their Preliminary Final spot with an easy win over West Perth, while the reserves booked a Grand Final spot with a big victory over Swan Districts.

Classy forward Alec Waterman was the hero with a game-high four majors including the opener of the contest and the sealer at the five-minute mark of the final term.

Waterman stepped up in the absence of the club’s leading goal-kicker Jaiden Hunter who missed due to concussion protocols.

At the other end of the ground, defender Jasper Peace held dangerous Demons tall Aaron Clarke to just two goals after he booted six in the Elimination Final win over East Fremantle the previous week.

The midfield battle also went the way of the Tigers, led by ruckman Oliver Eastland who was enormous around the ground with 20 disposals and 37 hit-outs.

Sandover Medal trio Bailey Rogers, Callan England and Jye Bolton were also prominent in the engine-room, helping limit Demons stars Brandan Parfitt and Charlie Constable in the process.

Claremont were the far better team in the opening term, holding Perth scoreless, but couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard themselves on their way to a slender nine-point quarter-time lead.

The hosts then kicked into gear in the second, booting five goals to two to open up a 25-point buffer at the major break with Rogers making the most of a stint up forward with two important majors.

Perth stormed back into the contest after half-time, kicking back-to-back goals from tall duo Clarke and Blake Schlensog to have the Redlegs faithful believing.

But the Tigers did well to limit to damage before going on yet another run of their own to all but end their opponent’s finals campaign by three-quarter time.

A calf injury to Schlensog in the third term didn’t help Perth’s at all, leaving them without one of their most threatening big men.

Preliminary Final fixtures

Sunday, September 14, at Sullivan Logistics Stadium

League: East Perth v Claremont at 2.10pm

Reserves: Swan Districts v East Perth at 11.25am

Colts: East Fremantle v Claremont at 8.50am