Claremont coach Ash Prescott conceded Subiaco taught his young Tigers a lesson in “hard-nosed finals football” as their campaign in the second week of September for the first time in five years.

Prescott’s men were bundled out of the premiership race in the first semifinal, with Subiaco kicking the first five goals as well as the last five on their way to a 12.16 (88) to 8.1 (49) win at Leederville Oval on Sunday.

Subiaco simply beat up the Tigers around the ball, recording 38 more contested possessions as well as winning the clearances (40-34) and inside 50s (57-33).

Prescott lamented his team’s start when the Lions booted five goals in the first 20 minutes to open up a 33-point lead.

“When the whips were cracking they smashed us in the midfield and they smashed us in contested ball and we were chasing that lead,” he said.

“To the boys’ credit they didn’t throw it in, I thought we just didn’t take our opportunities and were clean enough at times and in the bigger moments they were better.”

Prescott also praised the Lions’ tactics, with Jaimon Alone restricting dual Sandover medallist Jye Bolton to only 13 touches in what was a match-influencing tag.

“Full credit to them. He (Bolton) is a good player and you get tagged,” he said.

“They’re hungry, they’re desperate and they taught us a lesson in hard-nosed finals footy.”

Prescott backed the Tigers to contend again in 2024 despite not making it to at least a preliminary final for the first time since 2018.

Claremont haven’t missed the finals since 2017 and played off in two of the past three grand finals.

They were without several key players in this finals campaign in captain Declan Mountford (hamstring), Ronin O’Connor (chest), Max Minear (foot) and Steven Miller (hamstring).

“This group is so young – the journey is just starting really and that’s the exciting part. Even in last year’s grand final, I think we had 11 players under the age of 22,” Prescott said.

“WAFL and footy always changes a little but the majority of the group is really committed and they’re only just hitting their stride.

“I think we can get healthy and we can bring a few people back into the group. I thought we’ve soldiered injury and even (Jack) Buller going to the AFL, I think we’ve covered it really well as a footy club”