Claremont made a statement over the weekend, ruining South Fremantle’s 17-game win streak to become the only undefeated team in the competition.
The Tigers defeated the reigning premiers by five-points, the winning goal coming in the final minutes of the match credit to a corridor transition out of the backline.
Co-captain Callan England was the man to exit the footy out of their defensive 50 with Zac Mainwaring the beneficiary as the ball spilt over the back of a contested mark.
Run and carry through the corridor opened an option on the forward flank for Jack Musika to receive the hands from Mainwaring, who streamed through the forward 50 with two bounces before straightening up and slotting the major to put the Tigers up by four.
A composed final stint of the match from Claremont saw them walk away with a five-point victory 74-69, now making their bid as premiership favourites for the season.
Claremont’s mid-forward young gun Zac Mainwaring joined Sports Breakfast this morning.
“They’ve come into this stage and were probably the benchmark for all teams, so to go out there and get a win at their home ground was a very pleasing way to start the season,” he said.
“You definitely always train those sorts of scenarios throughout preseason and so we kind of knew once that ball was in Cal England’s hand – who’s a very handy kick of the footy – that it was going to shape up to go down the corridor.
“As a small I don’t really like to fly myself, so when I saw my bloke going up I kind of stayed down and lucky enough it spilt over the back and I had Muzy holding some good width and with that I could give the hands and he was able to finish with a great goal.”
Sam Alvarez led the disposal count for the Tigers with a career high 30 touches, his positional change to half back proving worthy and giving Claremont good rebound.
The sealer from Jack Musika was a moment of redemption for him having played colts and reserves for the Bulldogs.
He was overlooked for most of his time at South Fremantle, and an opportunity to play at Claremont in 2024 was one he couldn’t pass up.
“He was obviously very stoked with that [goal]. We’ve absolutely found a diamond in Jack, he’s not only a great footy player but a great man to have around the club and he’s gonna be a big part in what we’re trying to achieve at the Tigers.”
Mainwaring spent most of his junior career and the beginning of his time in the WAFL as a small forward, but the preseason gave him a chance to develop into a larger bodied pressure midfielder.
He’s recorded 23 tackles across the last three games, getting seven each in the first two matches and nine in their most recent clash with South Fremantle.
The move has bumped up his disposals average to an all time high of 18.7, and his forward craft is still evident with two goals in their last victory.
“I worked on getting as big as possible and as strong as possible to hopefully be able to match up with some of the WAFL’s best.”
“I’ve always prided myself on my pressure game, so to get in there and get a few tackles and help defensively helps the boys like Cal England and what not to be able to use their offensive weapons and help us push the ball forward.”
Claremont face East Fremantle this weekend at Revo Fitness Stadium, and the Sharks will be sorely missing the presence of Milan Murdock who looks like he’s found himself a new home with West Coast.
Making his AFL debut at age 25, the late call up gives players like Zac hope they too can still make it to the top level of football.
“It’s been very eye opening seeing that kind of chance is still there. I’ll do everything I possibly can to keep putting my name forward.”
“East Fremantle is always a tough game, they’re such tough opponents and they’re well drilled… it’s always a bit of a grudge match, especially with the history of my old man at the Sharks as well.”
History between the Sharks and Tigers is hyping the match up to be another show stopper from Claremont, who will be hoping to hold onto that undefeated title for yet another round.
IMAGE: Sam Gosling