West Coast remains a game out of the top-five after falling short against an impressive Claremont outfit at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
An undermanned Eagles’ team put up a good fight but eventually fell behind late and went down to the Tigers 12.7 (79) to 6.12 (48).
Chris Masten led the way for the Eagles with 30 disposals, while youngster Bailey Williams was strong in the ruck with 30 hit-outs and a goal.
Nick Reid was dangerous up forward and finished with three goals for the game.
Kane Mitchell was the Tigers’ major ball winner with 34 disposals, while forward Jack Bradshaw finished with three goals.
Tyron Smallwood got the Tigers off the mark with a goal at the ten-minute mark of the first term, before goals to Jack Bradshaw and Tom Lee saw the home side jump out to an early 19-point lead.
The Eagles failed to make the most of their opportunities in the first term, as the Tigers took a 28-5 lead at the first break.
Nick Reid got the Eagles on the board early in the second term, before the Tigers piled on four of the next five goals to take a commanding 34-point lead into half-time.
In need of a spark to start the third term, Bailey Williams stepped up kicking the first goal of the second half, before Matthew Allen worked his way through traffic to give the Eagles their second goal of the term.
From there the Eagles dominated for much of the third term, winning the contested ball and locking it in their forward half of the ground, keeping the Tigers scoreless for the quarter.
A 23-0 third term helping reduce the margin from 34 points at half time to just 11 points at the final change.
Tom Lee helped give the Tigers some breathing room to start the fourth, before back-to-back goals by Tyron Smallwood and Oliver Eastland helped push Claremont’s lead out to five goals.
From there the Tigers regathered momentum to run out 31-point winners.
Eagles forward Nick Reid said the slow start was costly, but believed the third quarter showed what the team is capable of when winning enough ball.
“I think we got jumped at the start of the game,” Reid said.
“I think the likes of Bolton and Mitchell probably had the better of us, and they just converted their opportunities and made us pay.”
“We were pressing quite well in that third quarter. It was just about getting deep entries because when we go forward we tend to lock it in in there”
Reid said the team remained confident entering the second half of the season.
“I don’t think there’s stress levels at all," he said.
"The coaching staff is really supportive so training is great and the vibe is still up, so we’re certainly not down and out.”
