Development Report - Tigers in Seventh Heaven

By Dan Scamozzi

Claremont’s Reserves recorded their seventh consecutive win after a 13-point victory against Swan Districts at Claremont Oval last Saturday.

A five-goal-to-nil opening term saw the Tigers race to a 28-point lead at quarter-time, before Swans worked their way back into the contest to lead at half-time, only for Claremont to respond and prevail 12.8 (80) to 10.7 (67).

The result leaves Claremont in second position on the ladder, trailing first-placed South Fremantle by two wins with a game in hand.

Lachlan Martinis (32 disposals, eight marks) continued his outstanding season to take home the players’ player award, while Jack Richardson (10 marks, five goals) provided a strong focal point in the Tigers’ forward line, with his marking a highlight of the game.

Jacob Sideris (25 disposals, seven tackles) overcame a painful knock early in the game, with Bailey Bennett (23 disposals, 10 inside 50s) also crucial in driving the Tigers forward.

Fraser Gilbert (eight marks) led a miserly defence, which has conceded an average of just 67.7 points per game (second best in the competition), while Ben Delaporte (three goals) made a fine debut.

League captain Jake Murphy (29 disposals, one goal) played his first game at any level since round seven and set the tone early with his ferocious attack on the ball, however, Ben Higgs had his game prematurely ended by a first-term ankle injury.

Swans were led by ruckman Troy Yukich (64 hit-outs), Ethan Maguire (31 disposals) and Steven Wityk (four goals), but only managed 38 inside 50s and slumped to consecutive losses.

A desperate tackle by Gilbert in defence, followed by a mark shortly after, highlighted the key Tiger’s will to compete, before a goal to Murphy halfway through the opening term gave Claremont first blood in splendid conditions.

A 50m penalty enabled Delaporte to double the advantage and saw the Tiger mobbed by teammates after his first goal at Reserves level, before he quickly kicked his second and the team’s third at the 19-minute mark.

Richardson then made it four in a row after an exquisite kick-to-advantage by Murphy, before Sam Bevan marked a kick to the top of the goal-square by Ben Rushforth to give the Tigers five consecutive goals against a lacklustre Swans.

A crucial goal-saving touch by Jeremy Goddard and desperate chase and tackle by Delaporte highlighted the Tigers’ appetite to work both ways and resulted in a 28-point lead at the first change.

As impressive as the opening term was, the second was a complete reversal, as Swans slammed on four goals in the opening 12 minutes to slash Claremont’s lead to just three points.

A second to Richardson saw the Tigers briefly respond, before three more to Swans gave the visitors an eight-point lead at half-time.

With Swans now well on top in midfield, a fourth goal to Wityk saw the lead extended to 13 points at the four-minute mark of the third term, before the Tigers roared back to life.

Four goals, including three to Richardson (five), who was marking everything in his vicinity, saw the Tigers respond and take a 14-point lead at the final change.

A third goal to Delaporte gave the Tigers a 19-point buffer at the nine-minute mark of the final term, however, the sight of Richardson limping off the ground with a corked quad was a concern.

Fortunately, the dominant Tiger soon returned, however, goals to Chad Daniels (second) and Jonathan Armstrong saw Swans close to within seven points and reminded the Tigers that their work was far from complete.

A strong mark and goal by Oliver Eastland saw the Tigers respond, before a great chase and tackle by Bevan capped off a hard-fought victory.

The Tigers will look to record their eighth consecutive win when they host West Perth at the same venue in round 14.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts returned to the winners’ list with a 67-point drubbing of Swan Districts, 12.15 (87) to 3.2 (20).

CLAREMONT 5.1 6.2 10.7 12.8 (80)

SWAN DISTRICTS 0.3 7.4 8.5 10.7 (67)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 5 J. Richardson, 3 B. Delaporte, 1 J. Murphy, B. Wilson, S. Bevan, O. Eastland.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 4 S. Wityk, 2 C. Daniels, 1 J. Daniels, B. Hackett, J. Armstrong, R. Manton.

BEST

CLAREMONT: L. Martinis, J. Richardson, J. Sideris, B. Bennett, F. Gilbert.

SWAN DISTRICTS: T. Yukich, E. Maguire, C. Daniels, L. Ridley, B. Hackett.

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League report - read here