WAFL 2025: Kieran Gowdie on his career best form, Claremont's big season aspirations
Claremont power forward Kieran Gowdie's hadn't kicked more than four goals in a game before the weekend.
In Saturday's 67-point win over Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium, he booted seven as part of a statement Tigers win that could leave them as high as third by the end of the round.
But Gowdie was quick to credit Claremont's Hollywood midfield, which Sandover medalists Jye Bolton, Bailey Rogers and Callan England, for the better connection with the forward line, even without their top goalkicker Jaiden Hunter.
'I think just a forward-mid connection — it hasn't been too well over the past couple of weeks,' he said.
'So we've been focusing on that, taking our time with our deliveries into the forward line. This week we just opened it up, kept me deep, and yeah, just worked out.
'When it's all working like that, you're all up and about and you're happy.'
The Tigers led the entire match against the Demons, which was testament to their efficiency inside-50. They kicked 20.8 from 50 entries.
Gowdie revealed Claremont had set themselves up with a three-week block that included last round's win over Swan Districts and next week's clash with struggling Subiaco.
'We had a plan of last week, this week and next week — three wins we've got to try and get. We're on two now, so if we get next week, that sets us up well,' he said.
'Hopefully just keep playing how we did today, stick to our game plan, and hopefully it all just falls into place. If we get into finals and stay up high on the ladder, it sets us up well for a grand final.'
While Gowdie said it's hard to find fault after such a convincing win, he said the club are always looking for ways to improve, even in the little things.
'You can always work on stuff like skills and voice and everything,' he said. 'But I think after this we're pretty happy.'
He also credited teammate and former Essendon player Alec Waterman for mentoring him throughout the game, showing his leadership on the field.
'Just talking to me every time I go out for a mark or miss a mark. He just gives me ideas and ways to improve it. So he's a big help.' he said.
The win currently puts Claremont third on the ladder with East Perth, West Perth, East Fremantle and South Fremantle yet to play this round.
Claremont now have their eyes set on a Saturday afternoon clash against Subiaco, who are the bottom of the table with only one win on the board for the season.
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