By Daniel Scamozzi

Claremont’s Reserves suffered a disappointing 54-point defeat against Perth at Lathlain Park in round 19, with the lacklustre and error-riddled performance dropping the Tigers to second position on the ladder.

Despite trailing by just five points at three-quarter-time, the Tigers were held goalless in the final term as the Demons slammed on eight unanswered goals to prevail 17.19 (121) to 9.13 (67).

Robust defender Jacob Orr (15 disposals, five marks), who starred for the Tigers with his ferocious attack on the ball and composure, deservedly won the players’ player award, with fellow defenders Addison Dew and Shaquille Morton also prominent.

Acting captain Jacob Sideris (six tackles, one goal) recorded a team-high 27 disposals and continued his strong form, while Rylie Morgan layed a game-high nine tackles and the lively Cooper Nitschke kicked a team-high three goals and set up several others.

However, turnovers proved costly for the Tigers, with the Demons recording 19 more inside 50s and 14 more scoring shots as the ball spent large periods of the game locked in their forward half of the ground.

Lennon Marlin kicked seven goals for the Demons as the hosts recorded their eighth win of the season.

Kepler Bradley and League joint vice-captain Kane Mitchell coached the Tigers in the absence of Steven Armstrong (ill), while Josh Bennett had his game ended by a shoulder injury in the opening term.

Jesse Laurie, Alec Waterman, Cameron Quenby and Dew all came into the team that defeated Subiaco in round 17, as the Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term.

Two goals from Sam Garstone gave the Demons a 12-point lead, before a great hit-out from Eddie Simpson allowed Morgan to send the Tigers forward, where Nitschke brilliantly gathered the ball before turning sharply and delivering a handball to Nicholas Allan who kicked the visitors’ first goal of the game.

Tyron Smallwood soon made it consecutive goals for the Tigers, with Nitschke producing another sharp turn and delivering a great pass to the impressive third-gamer.

The Demons hit back with the next two goals to take a 13-point lead, before Nitschke snapped truly from the pocket to pull the Tigers to within seven points at quarter-time.

Bradley implored the Tigers to be more composed with the ball and tighten up defensively, before Caelen Bennell kicked his second goal in the opening minute of the second term to restore the Demons’ 13-point lead.

A squaring pass from Allan allowed Simpson to reply for the Tigers, before Sideris laid his second smother of the game.

Marlin then kicked his first goal to give the Demons a 15-point lead, with the ball spending the majority of the rest of the term in the hosts’ forward half as the Tigers were unable to clear it from defence.

The result was an 18-point lead to the Demons at half-time and could have been a lot more if not for their inaccuracy (6.13).

The busy Sideris kicked the opening goal of the second half to pull the Tigers to within 12 points, before Marlin replied for the Demons with his second major.

Goals to Waterman and Nitschke (second) pulled the Tigers to within six points, before Marlin kicked his third major.

Declan McNamara then made the Demons pay for some sloppy play in defence, before Nitschke split the middle to send the Tigers into a frenzy.

However, Marlin would have the final say of the third term, kicking his fourth goal to give the Demons a five-point lead at the final change.

It was all one-way traffic after that, with Marlin adding three more goals in the final term as the hosts ran riot.

The Tigers will aim to return to winning ways when they host Peel Thunder at Claremont Oval in round 20.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts recorded a thrilling seven-point win against Perth, 8.8 (56) to 7.7 (49).

CLAREMONT 3.2 4.7 9.11 9.13 (67)

PERTH 4.3 6.13 9.16 17.19 (121)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 C. Nitschke, 1 J. Sideris, A. Waterman, E. Simpson, T. Smallwood, D. McNamara, N. Allan.

PERTH: 7 L. Marlin, 3 C. Bennell, 2 S. Garstone, 1 S. Perkusich, A. Mercer, B. Piggott, C. Marshall, T. Simpson.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Orr, A. Dew, S. Morton.

PERTH: L. Marlin, T. Etto, C. Bennell, K. Chester, B. Edmonds.