With the Eagles strongly represented in both teams, there was high interest in individual and team performances and the Tigers started enthusiastically.
Indeed, when Claremont kicked out to a seven-goal quarter-time lead, it seemed the game was as good as over, but the Sharks chipped away at the deficit and momentum seemed to be running with them when they reduced the margin to just a solitary point early in the last quarter.
The Tigers responded, however, and eventually won their second successive premiership 18.16 (124) to 15.8 (98).
The better performances, from a West Coast perspective, came within the East Fremantle camp where wingman Bradd Dalziell and key defender Mitch Brown were stand-out contributors.
Dalziell was lively on a wing throughout, finishing with 26 disposals, five marks and seven tackles, while Brown opposed former West Coast forward Chad Jones and restricted the Claremont spearhead to just one goal.
Given the Tigers ventured inside 50 61 times, that was a terrific defensive effort, while Brown also gathered 12 possessions of his own.
Koby Stevens had 16 possessions, seven marks and five tackles in a typically hard working display, while Jacob Brennan kicked the goal of the match and had nine possessions, playing mainly forward, and Brad Dick had a handful of touches up forward but could not hit the scoreboard.
Claremont, though, was consistently superior through the day, with wingman Tom Swift being the highest possession winner among the Eagles contingent, gathering 20 touches and taking seven marks in a solid display.
Jeremy McGovern worked hard, both up forward and in the ruck, where he did a good job in supporting Mitch Andrews against Jonathan Griffin, finishing with 10 possessions and four marks, but also winning a dozen hit-outs.
Lewis Stevenson and Gerrick Weedon were both efficient in the Claremont defensive half, Stevenson in particular with 17 disposals rounding out a terrific season with the Tigers.
Claremont also won the reserves flag, with Ryan Neates and Anton Hamp both doing their bit to ensure the Tigers claimed the premiership. Neates accumulated 22 touches and five tackles, to be among his team’s best.
