Development Report: Simpson Inspires Tigers

By Dan Scamozzi

A six-goal haul from Eddie Simpson inspired Claremont’s Reserves to a 37-point win against Subiaco at Leederville Oval.

Simpson, omitted from the League team following the round 16 loss to South Fremantle, responded in ominous fashion by hauling in seven marks and providing a focal point in the 14.15 (99) to 9.8 (62) win, which sees the Tigers maintain second position on the ladder after their 10^th win of the season.

Despite eight less inside 50s, the Tigers recorded 80 more disposals, 18 more tackles and 12 more scoring shots, built on the back of superb defensive efforts by acting captain Bailey Rogers (27 disposals, eight marks), Declan Hardisty (players’ player award) and Luke Maddock (20 disposals).

Josh Bennett (21 disposals, five tackles, four inside 50s), playing his first game since round 14, provided invaluable run and was a vital link-up player, while Kaiden Gilbert (six marks, three goals) worked well in tandem with Simpson and showed a tremendous work rate both up the ground and at ground level.

Meanwhile, Jake Murphy, also playing his first game since round 14, played three quarters, amassing 22 disposals, five tackles and one goal, while Max Bentley played his first game since round four.

Subiaco were led by Daniel Leach (26 disposals, seven tackles) and Brayden Ainsworth (25 disposals, one goal), with Luke Halligan kicking three goals.

A long kick by the reliable Tom Lawrence allowed Simpson to kick the first goal of the game, before majors to Ryan Borchet and Dylan Nelson saw the Lions respond and take an eight-point lead halfway through the opening term.

A short pass by Bennett then saw Dylan Holt kick Claremont’s second goal to give the Tigers a two-point lead at quarter-time.

With Murphy injected into the action for the first time, a goal to Gilbert saw the Tigers begin the second term in ideal fashion and take an eight-point lead, before a second to Simpson, following a strong mark, gave the team three in a row.

Halligan briefly halted Claremont’s run with his first major and Subiaco’s third, before a run of four goals in four minutes, including two more to Simpson (four), saw the Tigers roar to a 34-point lead at half-time.

A fifth to Simpson gave the prominent Tiger three in a row and Claremont a 40-point lead early in the second half, before a clever snap by Murphy made it six consecutive goals.

Goals to Ainsworth and Nelson (second) saw the Lions respond, before a third to Gilbert and goal to Jacob Sideris, following a dashing run and kick-to-advantage by Jake Stergiou, gave the Tigers a game-high 45-point lead.

With the Lions in danger of being blown away, consecutive goals saw the hosts briefly respond, before a sixth to Simpson, following a clever left-foot snap, gave the Tigers a 38-point lead at the final change.

In an uneventful final term, two more goals to Halligan (three), either side of a second to Holt, saw Claremont record an impressive victory and, in the process, end Subiaco’s five-game winning run.

The Tigers have a bye in round 18 before hosting East Perth at Claremont Oval in round 19.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts, containing nine debutants, recorded their third consecutive win and moved into second position on the ladder with a 29-point victory against Subiaco, 11.13 (79) to 7.8 (50).

CLAREMONT 2.5 8.9 13.9 14.15 (99)

SUBIACO 2.3 3.5 7.7 9.8 (62)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 6 E. Simpson, 3 K. Gilbert, 2 D. Holt, 1 J. Sideris, J. Murphy, M. Bentley.

SUBIACO: 3 L. Halligan, 2 D. Nelson, 1 B. Ainsworth, M. Lawrence, R. Borchet, B. Reid.

BEST

CLAREMONT: E. Simpson, B. Rogers, J. Bennett, K. Gilbert, D. Hardisty.

SUBIACO: J. Beverley, B. Reid, D. Leach, B. Ainsworth, F. Foley.