Tigers Extend Winning Streak

By Dan Scamozzi

Claremont (Reserves) defeated Swan Districts by 58 points at Steel Blue Oval last Saturday to record its tenth consecutive win and maintain top spot on the ladder.

The Tigers led at every change, recorded 17 more inside 50s, 18 more scoring shots and had 10 goal kickers in their 17.18 (120) to 9.8 (62) win.

League captain Jake Murphy had 29 disposals and worked tirelessly in midfield as he works his way back from a calf injury, while Jack Beeck, Keifer Yu, Toby Plant (three goals), Bailey Banfield and Ian Rowe all won their share of the ball to drive the Tigers forward.

Jack Richardson (four goals), Ben Higgs (two) and Mason Whitehead (two) were all lively in the forward line, while Claremont’s defence was once again outstanding and conceded less than 10 goals for the eighth time during its unbeaten run.

Claremont’s win also featured the debut of Jake Stergiou.

Swans were best served by Jackson Slater, Ethan Maguire and Justin Shand, while Albert Dean, Aidan Clarke and Chad Daniels each kicked two goals.

With John Williams captaining Claremont, the Tigers made a dream start when Ben Musitano kicked truly in the opening minute of the match.

A goal to Richardson followed five minutes later after a downfield free kick, with Rowe and Murphy already imposing themselves on the contest.

A strong mark and booming finish then gave Richardson his second and the Tigers their third, as Claremont’s lead stretched to 21 points on the back of a blistering start to the game.

Yu then got in on the action to give the Tigers four in a row, before Dean grabbed a badly-needed reply for Swans.

However, Whitehead grabbed his first goal shortly after on the back of some excellent pressure in the Tigers’ forward half, before Clarke and Daniels gave Swans two in a row and trimmed Claremont’s lead to 16 points.

Yu was then reported, before an after-the-siren goal to Plant gave Claremont a 22-point lead at quarter-time.

Coach Kepler Bradley praised the Tigers’ first 15 minutes, but implored his players to improve their defensive efforts and revert to quick ball movement.

The sight of Harrison Court limping off with an ankle injury was not the start to the second term Claremont were hoping for, with the Tiger unable to take any further part in the game.

A 50m penalty then gave Daniels his second goal and saw Swans close to within 16 points, before Higgs made the most of a squaring pass by Matthew Ehlers to respond for Claremont.

Banfield then kicked truly after weaving his way through congestion, before Dean (second), Josh Cipro and Steven Wityk hit back for Swans to trim Claremont’s lead to seven points at the long break.

A goal to Rowe was just the start to the second half Claremont were hoping for after he was found by Higgs, before Richardson split the middle from the right-forward pocket to kick his third.

Keanu Shandley and Whitehead (second) then gave the Tigers four in a row to push the lead out to 34 points, before a second major to Clarke gave Swans their only goal for the third term.

The result was a 26-point lead to Claremont at the final change, before the Tigers stepped things up a gear in the fourth quarter.

Richardson added his fourth goal, before the previously unsighted Ricky Cary replied for Swans.

Plant then responded with his second and third majors, before Beeck and Higgs gave Claremont the final four goals as the Tigers recorded their 14^th win for the season.

Claremont will look for 11 straight wins when it faces West Perth at HBF Arena in Round 21 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Claremont (Colts) recorded its third straight win after defeating Swan Districts by 45 points, 13.10 (88) to 6.7 (43).

CLAREMONT 6.5 8.6 12.10 17.18 (120)

SWAN DISTRICTS 3.1 7.5 8.8 9.8 (62)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 J. RICHARDSON, 3 T. PLANT, 2 M. WHITEHEAD, B. HIGGS, 1 I. ROWE, J. BEECK, K. SHANDLEY, K. YU, B. MUSITANO, B. BANFIELD.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 2 A. DEAN, C. DANIELS, A. CLARKE, 1 J. CIPRO, S. WITYK, R. CARY.

BEST

CLAREMONT: K. YU, J. BEECK, B. BANFIELD, T. PLANT, J. RICHARDSON, J. MURPHY.

SWAN DISTRICTS: J. SLATER, E. MAGUIRE, C. DANIELS, J. SHAND.