West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 13 September 1937, page 16


PERTH'S LAST EFFORT. Close Finish with Claremont. In the match between Claremont and Perth at the W.A.C.A. ground on Saturday, neither team segmed to show much interest in the issue, until near the end, when the closeness of the scores resulted in a hard finish. Claremont did not seem to be at full pressure during the match and when it tried to make an effort in the last quarter was very nearly too sluggish to win out. Perth, although not having the all-round strength of Claremont, had shown the effectiveness of spirit as against style, and by dogged play had set up what nearly proved to be a winning lead. Claremont, however, managed to overtake it and win by ten points. The teams were:CLAREMONT.-Backs: S. Moloney, Batt, Edmeades. Half-backs: Headon, Clarke, Grieve. Centres: Reid, G. Moloney, Hosken. Half-forwards: Julian, Lawn. BO~E. Forwards: O'Reilly, Hopkins, Morris. Ruck: Reeves, Sutherland, Hooper (rover). lNineteenth man: Bee. PERTH.--Backs: Fitzgerald, Love, Harbison. Half-backs: Wormald, Brox-n, Dewar. Centres: IL Davey, Puddey, Trainor. Half-forwards: Toohey, Hetherington, A. Lewis. Forwards: A. Grigg, Gook, Henfry. Ruck: Oliphant, Carrington, Keightley (rover). Nineteenth man: R. Lewis (replaced Wormald, shoulder injury, in second quarter). UMPIRE.-V. Sparrow. The play in the first quarter was desultory and without zhuch character. Both sides showed themselves to be capable of good football, but the play lacked spirit. Although Claremont looked the stronger team, its forwafd work was sluggish. Perth was brisker in attack but was against a more solid defence. Nevertheless, it made better use of its opportunities, and, despite a flash of brillaint leading from the centre by G. Moloney, with which Hopkins and O'Reilly co-operated, producing two goals, Perth kept ahead by two points, the scores being 3.6 to 3.4. Claremont took the lead by four points soon after the second quarter began, but it was very casual and Perth reaped the benefit of more vigorous play, regaiming the lead. Its habit of kicking behinds let it down. Claremont needed only a few kicks to get a ten-point lead, which was reduced to five points at halftime-6.9 (Claremont) to 5.10. Claremont, with the appearance of being half-hearted in its play, idled away scoring chances, and then Perth went ahead by seven points. With Clareless playing in bursts and Perth a less talented but steadier and more dogged game, the lead alternated several times. Perth deservedly went ahead and then two quick goals just before time put it in its best position for the match, with its score 1L13 against 8.12. Claremont was trying harder now but found it hard to get going. It decreased Perth's lead to only 13 points before

Perth increased it to 20 points--the highest margin for the match. However, two quick goals by Morris changed the complexion of the game and Claremont, only eight points behind, began to show life at last. Another goal made the difference two points, but now Perth pulled itself together and took the offensive, although a lot of striving yielded only a behind. Claremont could make no headway until a sudden burst from Batt to Headon to Reid put it in attack and Hooper goaled to give Claremont a three-point lead five minutes before time. Lawn kicked a behind and then a dangerous offensive by Perth produced only a similar score. Claremont attacked again, scoring seven points, and the final bell rang with the scores:CLAREMONT... 15.15 (105 pts.) PERTH ........ 13.17 (95 pts.) Scorers.--Claremont: Hopkins, 8.4; Morris, 2.1; O'Reilly, 2.0; Boys, 1.2; Hooper, 1.2; Lawn, 1.2; Reid, 0.2; S. Moloney, 0.1; Julian, 0.1. Perth: Gook, 5.4; A. Grigg, 4.3; Oliphant, 3.0; Henfry, 1.1; Keightley, 0.3; R. Lewis, 0.2; Toohey, 0.1; Hetherington, 0.1; H. Davey, 0.i. One of Perth's behinds was forced through. Although Headon has been seen in more brilliant form, he was the most consistent player for Claremont. Hopkins kicked half the team's score, leading out well and going for the ball on the ground as well as taking it nicely in the air. Batt was very solid in goal, saving a number of times right in the goalmouth. S. Moloney was effective throughout and G. Moloney won in the centre without over-exerting himself. Morris and Reeves were prominent and Reid won on a centre-wing without being in top form. Sutherland did well on the ball; Clarke and Grieve were strong in defence; and Julian showed distinct promise. For Perth, H. Davey won on a centrewing and was the most effective medium of attack. A. Grigg tried hard and did smart work in the scoring area. Carrington was a strong grafter in ruck, with Keightley dashing on the fringes. O1plant, Hetherington and Brown shone in patches and Gook did well against odds. Toohey -was very serviceable and Henfry and A. Lewis gave encouraging displays.