Claremont’s Reserves suffered a three-point defeat against Swan Districts at Claremont Oval in round 10 but remain on top of the ladder.

Despite two late goals from the Tigers, who were two players down for the second half, Swans held on to record their third win of the season, 11.7 (73) to 10.10 (70).

Corey Mitchell (concussion) and Jake Stergiou (knee) were injured in the first and second terms respectively, however, the Tigers held a 20-point lead at half-time after a dominant first half.

Swans’ five-goals-to-one third term was the difference between the teams, despite the Tigers recording 10 more inside 50s and doubling the visitors in tackles (78-39).

Midfielder Morgan Davies (28 disposals, one goal) was the Tigers’ best player and won the players’ player award for his brilliant performance, with his ability to win clearances and drive the team forward a delight to watch.

Matt Palfrey (nine marks) responded to his League omission in the best possible way by starring as an onballer and then as a forward and kicked a team-high three goals, including an outstanding snap from the boundary line in the final term.

Cooper Nitschke (20 disposals, five inside 50s) showed his versatility by playing an outstanding game on a wing, while defenders Addison Dew (21 disposals, eight marks) and Isaac Wallace (nine tackles) continued their strong form.

Bailey Bennett recorded game-high totals of 12 tackles and seven inside 50s, while Jesse Laurie captained the team for the second week running.

Swans’ Levi Ridley and Freddie Clutterbuck combined for 65 disposals, while Oskar Matthews kicked a team-high three goals.

Palfrey, Eddie Simpson, Jack Blaauw, Nick Allan and Tre Kelton came into the team which defeated Peel Thunder in round nine, with debutant Allan playing his first game of the season and Kelton making his club debut.

Tom Shanahan and Nick Yarran missed through illness, with Kaiden Gilbert, Dylan Smallwood and Shaquille Morton earning League debuts.

The Tigers elected to kick to the northern end of the ground in the opening term as a desperate smother from Jacob Sideris in midfield led to a goal to James Egan.

Jacob Coniglio hit back for Swans, before Brett Wilson snapped truly from the pocket and Palfrey marked strongly and converted to give the Tigers a 13-point lead.

A great smother from Davies signalled the Tigers’ intent and appetite for the contest as the hosts took a 15-point lead at quarter-time.

With Davies (11 disposals) setting the tone in midfield and the Tigers well ahead in tackles and inside 50s, coach Steven Armstrong paid tribute to the midfield and lauded the great quarter, before tackles from Jeremy Goddard and Palfrey in the opening minute of the second term continued the team’s ferocious attack on the ball.

With Palfrey becoming more prominent by the minute, a goal to Allan saw the Tiger mobbed by teammates and provided one of the highlights of the game and extended the lead to 21 points.

Swans responded through Matt Blake, before a great tackle from Egan earned the Tiger a free kick and Palfrey kicked his second goal.

Matthews then kicked Swans’ third, before Stergiou was helped from the field.

A goal to Davies gave the Tigers a 20-point lead at half-time, however, they were now two players down on the interchange.

Another great tackle, this time from Wallace, saw the Tigers begin the second half with the same vigour they showed in the first, before Swans slammed on three goals in four minutes.

A great tackle inside 50 saw Nick Bucknall kick a timely major for the Tigers, before Swans hit back with two more to take the lead for the first time and a three-point buffer at the final change.

Armstrong implored the Tigers to get the ball deep to Palfrey, before Ben Rushforth was reported early in the final term.

Three of the next four goals saw Swans take a 16-point lead, and despite late majors from Rushforth and Bucknall, the gallant Tigers fell just short of the visitors.

The Tigers will aim to rebound when they host second-placed West Perth in a top-of-the-table clash at the same venue in round 11.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts suffered their third consecutive defeat after a five-point loss against Swan Districts, 9.7 (61) to 8.8 (56).

CLAREMONT 3.5 6.7 7.9 10.10 (70)

SWAN DISTRICTS 1.2 3.5 8.6 11.7 (73)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 M. Palfrey, 2 N. Bucknall, 1 M. Davies, B. Rushforth, B. Wilson, N. Allan, J. Egan.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 3 O. Matthews, 1 J. Coniglio, T. Yukich, L. Ridley, T. O’Brien, G. Dent, G. Ottaviano, L. Huntley, M. Blake.

BEST

CLAREMONT: M. Davies, M. Palfrey, C. Nitschke, A. Dew, I. Wallace.

SWAN DISTRICTS: L. Ridley, F. Clutterbuck, B. Fullgrabe, G. Ottaviano, J. Power.

By Dan Scamozzi.

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