Development Report: Resilient Tigers Record Consecutive Wins

A blistering third term paved the way for Claremont’s Reserves’ thrilling one-point win against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval last Saturday, which sees the Tigers sitting in fifth position on the ladder.

After a forgettable and hard-to-watch first half yielded the team just two goals and had them trailing by 25 points at half-time, the Tigers played their best 28 minutes of football for the season, with a seven-goal-to-one third term - built on the back of quick and direct ball movement - resulting in a 11.8 (74) to 11.7 (73) victory.

Lachlan Martinis (34 disposals, eight marks, one goal) continued his prolific start to the season with his composure and attack on the ball, while Ben Higgs (22 disposals, 11 marks) starred alongside him after being shifted from the forward line.

Eddie Simpson (six marks, three goals) won the players’ player award by giving the team a focal point and bringing teammates into the game, while Tom Lawrence (eight marks) displayed his composure and ability to read the play in defence.

Brett Wilson had more inside 50s (five) than any other Tiger and kicked two impressive goals during Claremont’s third-quarter charge, while Corey Mitchell (five tackles, three goals) applied his trademark pressure on the opposition and was rewarded on the scoreboard for his hard work.

Swans’ Brandon Erceg (33 disposals, 12 marks) provided a headache for Claremont by being deployed as a loose man, while Steven Wityk (five goals) and Brody Sutton (eight marks, four goals) threatened to pinch the game for the hosts.

Despite the venue being bathed in sunshine with barely a cloud in the sky, the first term resembled anything but the splendid conditions, with both teams guilty of poor ball use and indirect football.

Jackson Slater kicked the opening goal of the game at the 18-minute mark, before Sutton kicked truly to give Swans a 13-point lead over a goalless Claremont at quarter-time.

Goals to Jordan Bill and Wityk gave Swans a fast start to the second term and extended their lead to 26 points, before Mitchell grabbed a badly-needed reply and Claremont’s first goal five minutes later.

An outstanding finish by Martinis from a tight angle gave Claremont consecutive majors, before a pair of goals to Wityk (three) saw Swans out to a 25-point lead at half-time.

After what could be described as a first-half aberration - highlighted by a return of 2.4 from 202 disposals – it was as if a different team emerged from the Claremont change rooms after half-time.

Goals to Bailey Bennett and Simpson resulted from direct ball movement and better execution as the Tigers dominated early proceedings in the third term, before an impressive pair of goals to Wilson, either side of a second to Mitchell, gave Claremont an eight-point lead over a shell-shocked and unresponsive Swans.

Majors to Simpson (second) and Jake Stergiou gave the Tigers seven consecutive goals in 21 minutes and turned the game on its head, before Wityk kicked his fourth to keep Swans in touch at the final change.

Claremont coach, Kepler Bradley applauded the team’s ability to spread and open up Swans, with the Tigers more than doubling the amount of handball receives they had in the third term compared to the entire first half.

Three consecutive majors to Sutton (four) saw Swans reclaim the lead at the 13-minute mark of the final term, before Simpson made the hosts pay from a 50m penalty with his third goal.

Mitchell then kicked his third after Simpson got back to help Claremont’s defence in similar circumstances to which Jeremy Goddard had done so against Subiaco in the dying stages seven days earlier, with the Tigers displaying an awareness of the situation and composure needed to close out tight games.

A fifth goal to Wityk in the final minute set up a tense finish, however, the Tigers held on to record their second tight win in as many games.

The team will look to make it three in a row when they host Peel Thunder at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in round eight.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts suffered consecutive losses with a 7.8 (50) to 11.10 (76) defeat to Swans.

CLAREMONT 0.2 2.4 9.7 11.8 (74)

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.3 6.5 7.6 11.7 (73)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 E. Simpson, C. Mitchell, 2 B. Wilson, 1 B. Bennett, L. Martinis, J. Stergiou.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 5 S. Wityk, 4 B. Sutton, 1 J. Bill, J. Slater.

BEST

CLAREMONT: L. Martinis, B. Higgs, E. Simpson, T. Lawrence, B. Wilson.

SWAN DISTRICTS: B. Fullgrabe, B. Erceg, J. Cipro, S. Wityk, B. Sutton.