Round 4 Reserves Match Report

Tigers Too Good For Swans

By Dan Scamozzi

A blistering first quarter saw Claremont (Reserves) defeat Swan Districts by 20 points at Steel Blue Oval in round four and record consecutive wins for the first time under coach Kepler Bradley.

The 12.14 (86) to 9.12 (66) victory was built on an even performance across the board and sees the Tigers retain fifth position on the ladder.

The class and rebound of Morgan Davies, grunt and drive of Justin Speed from midfield, hard work by Haydn Busher and skill of a returning favourite, Gerrick Weedon (three goals), were hallmarks of the Tigers’ win.

Adam Speed put in a fine performance in the ruck, Ashley Fitzgerald, Eddie Simpson and Mason Whitehead kicked two goals, while Francis Watson and Tom Shanahan made successful returns from injury.

In a sour note for the Tigers, Toby Plant suffered an arm injury in the third term and was unable to return.

It’s another cruel blow for Plant, who was one of Claremont’s better players before being forced from the field.

Swans were best served by Warrick Wilson, Ben Whitsed and Jesse Turner, while Brody Sutton (three) and Steven Wityk (two) combined for five goals.

With Busher, Dylan Ross, Weedon, Watson and Shanahan replacing Jack Richardson (league), Zac Langdon (league), Alex Manuel, Ian Rowe and Isaac Devitt-Boyd from the team who defeated Perth in round three, the Tigers kicked to the city end of the ground in the opening term with the aid of a healthy breeze.

In what was his first game for the Tigers since the 2012 league grand final, an early goal to Weedon following some fine work by Busher and Fitzgerald gave he and his team an ideal start to the match and saw Claremont take a seven-point lead.

A goal to Sutton saw Swans reply, before Shanahan and Whitehead kicked truly to give the Tigers a 16-point lead.

Further goals to the hard-working J. Speed and Fitzgerald gave Claremont five for the term and a 28-point lead at the first change, although it could’ve been a bigger margin had the Tigers converted more of their eight extra scoring shots.

Bradley paid tribute to Claremont’s ball movement from the backline, although it was now Swans’ turn to kick with the breeze.

An outstanding chase and tackle saw Busher rewarded with a free kick and continued the Tigers’ ferocious attack on the ball, before a second goal to Whitehead resulted from a 50m penalty and saw Claremont kick the first goal of the second term.

Shannon Stack replied for Swans and trimmed the Tigers’ lead to 30 points, although a dour and uneventful term saw just the two goals kicked and Claremont retain its 28-point lead at half-time.

The injection of Watson for the second half gave all those wearing or supporting the navy and gold a pleasant thrill, with the excitement machine returning for his first game since breaking a leg in round 18 last year.

A second goal to Weedon resulted from another 50m penalty and gave the Tigers a fast start to the third term, before Fitzgerald quickly added his second after being found by Busher as a result of some brilliant efforts by Davies.

Goals to Wityk and Sutton (second) saw Swans respond, before Plant left the field for Claremont.

Ben Musitano and Simpson (50m penalty) gave the Tigers a 43-point lead at the final change after kicking truly, with Bradley imploring his troops to lower their eyes in order to hit targets in the fourth quarter.

Dylan Smith gave Swans a fast start and reduced the Tigers’ lead to 37 points, before goals to Simpson (second) and Weedon (third) steadied the ship.

Goals to Wilson, Sutton (third), Wityk (second) and Turner saw Swans kick the final four majors and finish the stronger team, however, the Tigers had well and truly put the result beyond doubt and can be proud of their performance.

Meanwhile, in the Colts, Claremont suffered a six-point loss to Swans, 7.9 (51) to 7.15 (57).

Claremont will now turn its attention to East Fremantle at ATOM Stadium in round five.

CLAREMONT 5.5 6.8 10.13 12.14 (86)

SWAN DISTRICTS 1.1 2.4 4.6 9.12 (66)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 G. WEEDON, 2 M. WHITEHEAD, E. SIMPSON, A. FITZGERALD, 1 J. SPEED, T. SHANAHAN, B. MUSITANO.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 3 B. SUTTON, 2 S. WITYK, 1 J. TURNER, D. SMITH, W. WILSON, S. STACK.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. SPEED, M. DAVIES, G. WEEDON, H. BUSHER, A. FITZGERALD.

SWAN DISTRICTS: W. WILSON, J. TURNER, B. WHITSED, B. SUTTON.