West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 12 June 1939, page 17


HEAVY BLOW TO PERTH. Weakened Claremont Side Triumphs. Weakened by' the absence of players such. as Reeves, Hooper, Lovegrove and Oath, Claremont played remarkably coheive football at the W.A.C.A. ground on Saturday when it outplayed Perth and .won by 44 points. Normally Perth would have fancied its chances of success but when Claremont was making hasty arrangements to fill its team the result was popularly forecast in favour of Perth. But Claremont, realising that extra effort was demanded, played a fast, clever game, the keynote f 'which was evenness. The uninformed onlooker would have thought that Perth was the patchwork team. Claremont dominated the ruck and throughout the game Perth was unable to check Sutherland's great work: there. The Claremont back lines worked smoothly and in all parts of the field the player with the ball was backed up. !eith, on the other hand, broke down

In defence, where certain players neglected to watch their men, who made goal-kicking from any position look simple, and its forward division was not good. Following were the teams:CLAREMONT.-Backs: S. Moloney, Grieve, Sutherland Hall-backs: Headon. S. Clarke Guthrie. Centres: Kemp, Edmeades. Reid Half-forwards: Gibson. Compton. Heusler. Forwards: Boys, G. Moloney. Baker. Ruck: Hunt, Bermdinham. Serleant (rover). Nineteenth man: McDonald (did not play). PERTH.-Backs: Fitzgerald. Robertson, Rundell. Half-backs: Hrlsz. Bailer. Hatton. Centres: Davey. Pudder. Ransom. Half-forwards: Lewis. Henfry. McKenzie. Forwards: Coleman. Gook, Hetherington. Ruck: Olphant, Haddleton. Grig (rover). Nineteenth man: Love (replaced attn. brised le at threeosarter time.)UMPIRE.---G. UMPIRE.---G. Owen. Although Claremont kicked the first goal, Perth showed the more enterprise in the early stages of the game but forwards moved out too far. Bailey was defending in great style for Perth and Claremont then attacked from the determined Gibson's wing. Three goals. two of them from angled running shots, were added in quick succession. Claremont was winning easily in the rack and it was faster and showing better judgment. When Oliphant showed up Perth looked dangerous but the Claremont half-back line was hard to pass. Reid's long kicks to the front of the goal were valuable and by quarter-time Claremont had established a lead of 7.3 to 3.1. Perth fought hard in the second quarter and, despite Clarke's fine play, reduced the gap to five points. Claremont's kicking to the forwards had been.poor and when Sutherland was "resting" Perth's ruck improved. Then G. Moloney moved to the centre and he sent the ball down to Boys for agoal That began a rally and Heusler 'did better at half-forward. Perth played vigorously and'had chances to score which were wasted largely through slowness in kicking or punching the ball Serjeant was roving nicely and at half-time Claremont led with 1L4 to 7.6. Origg and Henfry played well and Perth scored an encouraghng goal soon after the Interval. Claremont, however, was winning in the air. and its back remained strong. Bailey and Robertson'were sadly overworked yet they managed to keep Claremont's scoring down. Perth's shooting for goal was inaccurate. .For a long period, largely through Ransom's speedy play, Perth had the ball in its cramped forward lines but with little or no result, and Claremont made one penetrating drive and goaled. Perth was sve goals in arrears at three-quarter time8.9 to 13.9. Robertson decided to mak drastic chsngej in an endeavour to turn the tide. Love came, on and went into the goal Robertson became goal-sneak and Gook centre half-forward. Combined play along the wing resulted in a goal. Reld, however, continued to dominate play on his wing. Puddey was improving but till Claremont was superior in the ruck and it riddled the opposing defenc3e. tltmstely Robertson returned to the full back.position. Towards the finish Claremont added goals without great' effort. Final scores:CLARIEMONT ..,.. 20.13 (133 pt.) PERTH.........i iii (89 pte.) Scorers:--Claremont: Compton. 3.4; Serjeant, 3.; l. Mploney, Bermingham, Boys, each 3.1; Baker, 1.2; Kemp and Reid, each 1.1; Gibson and Heusler, each 1.0. Perth: Cook, 3.4; Henfry, 3.2; Grigg, 3.1; Cdlema, 2.2; McKenzie and Hetherngton, each 1.0; Oliphant, 0.1. (One behind forced through.) Clar? Vnt's most valuable player was Sutherlaid, whose powerful work in the ruck mad it-pgaslble for the side to attackn freenlt ad to prevent a sudden Parth rall. ,Reid, on the centre twing, Pe a brm~iant display, seldom being eaten for the ba eand always playing a direct game. sereent's roving was of a high standard and his opening and foflownig up of the play was admirable. rieve,' the goal-keeper, gave easily his best display pf the season, spoiling Intelgently anai shadowing Gook deterninedly. At half-back, Clarker was in fine feor , arliann-ad bandling. the- ball lurely. His dol on the hals-back line were also strong-the ever-cool Headon and the reliable Gthriew. eGibson, Hunt, S. Moloney. the useful Kemp and Bermingham were the best of a good rematnder. Boys worked up'tomgood fon n and 0. Molnoey's was a heady m se. For Perti the oustandl player was Ransom. On the left wing be was tireless and tenacious. He showed surprising pace and marked welL Bailey, the centre hall-back, and Robertson, the goa4keeper, were strong in an..defence division; 'without., adequa pport they played with distinction. Griggaroving was valuable, though his llofwers were badly beaten .- Puddey, unirtain before half-time, was prominent in the second hal f. Henfry battled'hard' and did sohe nice things. Lewis showed Improved form and HRsz played his best football in the second hall. Goak occa. sionally took a brilliant mask but, like Oliphant, his form was below his best.