WAFL grand final heartbreak for Claremont as Great Southern duo Declan Mounford and Timm House shine

Great Southern duo Declan Mountford and Timm House were outstanding in defeat as Claremont fell agonisingly short of their first league premiership since 2012 on Saturday.

Mountford was captain of a gallant Tigers outfit that went down to West Perth by 12 points in front of a bumper crowd at Leederville Oval in the 2022 WAFL grand final.

The margin was just nine points at half-time before the Falcons took control in the third, but Mountford kicked a booming goal from well outside 50m late in the quarter to get the deficit back to 14 points.

Jack Buller had the Tigers’ first goal of the last term in the first minute and when Callan England kicked truly the Tigers trailed by less than a goal.

However, the Falcons clung on desperately with Mitchell Dobson booting the sealer in the 24th minute of a thrilling decider.

The grand final loss was heartache for the Tigers and their four Great Southern players.

Mountford, from North Albany, was superb across the four quarters to be among the Tigers’ best players on the big stage.

The skipper finished with 20 disposals, 10 of which were contested, to go with three tackles, two clearances, five inside 50s and three score involvements.

Gnowangerup’s House was used in defence as he has been throughout the finals and was a key reason the Tigers got so close.

House took seven marks and collected 17 possessions to go with four tackles and two spoils in a top display.

Former Albany and Royals player Tyron Smallwood was lively in the opening half but managed only one behind in the loss.

Playing in his 50th league game on the big occasion, Smallwood missed an early shot on goal and had five touches in the first term.

He finished with 11 disposals, two marks, five inside 50s and three score involvements.

Borden’s Anthony Davis played in defence and gathered nine possessions, two marks and had three spoils.