West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 21 June 1937, page 7


CLAREMONT'S CONVINCING FORM South Fremantle Fades Away. Outplayed in the first quarter of the match at Claremoit oval on Saturday, when south Fremantle established a lead of over five goals, Claremont reached the peak of its form in the second term and in a brilliant burst added 10.4, took the lead and was thereafter never in difficulties. Claremont's recovery and ultimate easy victory can be attributed mainly to the fine co-operation of G. Moloney, Reid and Hopkins; the suppression of Jenkins by Clarke was a further setback to South Fremantle. Lawn and Bee, who are on the injured list, were replaced by Reid and Reeves in the Claremont side while Orr gave way to Caratti In South Fremantle's team. Following. were the teams: autherland. Batt. Edmeades. Half-backs: Headon. Clarke. Grieve. Centres: Reid. . G. olonev. Heaken. BHafIorwards: Boys, Compton. Maitland. Forwards: Morris, Hopkins, O'Reilly. RBck: Reeves, S. Moloney. Hooper (rover). Nineteenth man: Symonds. SOUTH FREMONTLE.-Baeks: Dodd, Noble, F. Brown. Half-backs: White, D. Doig, Back. Centres: K. Miller. Lewinaton. Bradford. Halfforwards: W. Smith. Jenkins Prosser. Forwards: Reilly, Poole. Caratti. Ruck: Richardson. Hugall, E. Hayward (rover). Nineteenth man: Orr (replaced Back. inured knee, in last quarter). TUPIRE.--C. Cook. Claremont sacrificed. an early opportuny of scoring and, tagkng the most direct route, South Fremantle assumed control and scored two goals in as many minutes. South Prenantle had the better of inatters in the ruck but was unable to penetrate Claremont's first line of defence. Claremont was not blending as a side and could not keep pace with South Fremantle, whose backs were also outwitting the Claremont forwards. Hopkins secured Claremont's only goal for the quarter with a lucky shot off the side of his boot. With a magnificent kick Poole scored South Fremantle's fifth goal Several further assaults broke on Clarke. whose marking and spoiling had South Fremantle worried. Quarter-time scores were 6.3 to 1.0 in South Premantle's favour. Claremont made an important and, as it proved, entirely successful move when Reid was sent to the centre-half-forward position. Well fed by G. Moloney, who was now supreme at centre, he, in turn, sought out Hopkins with unfailing accuracy and at times covered long distances with his kicking. South Premantle was still winning in the ruck but was incapable of checking Claremont's fastmoving centre line. Jenkins, who had met his waterloo in Clarke, was moved to a flank and showed his appreciation by several times inaugurating attacks, most of which were rendered futile by the dour Claremont defence. About eight minutes from half-time the scores were level At this stage Claremont's ruck awakened and, with G. Moloney playing brilliantly and Reid roaming at will Claremont drew ahead. South Fremantle, playing a hard game, sought vainly to restore its lost lead. Claremont continued the pressure to the bell and, with 11.4 to 9?3, was then in a strong position. The respective goalkeepers were called upon to stop two early offensives. Batt was showing excellent judgment in his kicking in and it was he who started the day's' prettiest passage of play which culminated in a goal from Hopkins. Claremont's teamwork contrasted with its opponent's sluggish and purpoeless play. The pace had slackened considerably. Claremont had undisputed control and kept the opposing defence well occupied. Prosser and Bradford were striving hard to create openings but secured little support from the forwards. D. Doig was undergoing a trying ordeal in defence and several times brought off timely saves. South Fremantle made the mistake of allowing Claremont's forwards too much liberty. At three-quarter time South Fremantle was 20 points in arrears-14.6 to 17.8. South Fremantle resumed without Back (who had done well in defence) and immediately encountered trouble from the Moloney-Reid-Hopkins combination. In an endeavour to stop G. Moloney's triumphant progress, Jenkins was entrusted with the task of minding him. It was more than he could manage. Claremont had now taken complete control; its players were yards faster to the ball, seldom beaten in the air, and always sensing a lead. South Fremantle had faded into insignificance and treated Claremont's occasional brilliant passages of play with an indifference that suggested a loss of energy. Final scores:oLABEMONT . . 22.13 (145pts.). STH. FREMANTLE 15.10 (100pts.). Scorers:--Claremont: Hopkins, 11.3; OReiflly, 3.3; Morris, 3.2; Reid, .".3; Compton, 1.1; Maitland, 1.0; Hooper, 1.0; Boys, 0.1. South Fremantle: Poole, 6.3; E. Hayward, 4.1; Caratti, 2.1; Reilly, 2.1; Jenkins, 1.3; Hugall, 0.1. Claremont had no weakness ana every man played his part. In G. Moloney and Reid it had two equally brilliant players. At first somewhat uncertain in his disposal, Moloney later found his touch and his co-operation with Reid was a feature of the game. He was safe in the air and his tenacity in ground play gave him complete dominance all day. Much the same can be said of Reid, who was directly responsible for a number of Hopkins's goals; Reid kicked well and was most unselfish. Hopkins was in great form, some of his marks being freakish. He was always in position and was extremely accurate. Clarke and Headon were a formidable pair in defence, the former's marking being high class. Hosken, Batt and Morris also stood out. Poole, who kicked six goals in trying conditions, gave another clever display of forward work. He showed sound judgment in leading and two of his goals were gems. E. Hayward worked hard and, apart from kicking four goals, was prominent throughout. He was tireless in his following and never flinched m the heavy going. Bradford proved himself a valuable acquisition; he broke even with Hocken on a wing He has a fine kick and seldom fails to lodge the ball with a teammate. Prosser, Hugall, Reilly and Carratti were also of service.