Maister Leads the Way

Claremont’s third and final pre-season match took place at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday, with the Tigers taking a number of positives out of their six-point defeat to Swan Districts.

In tricky conditions, Swans prevailed 9.12 (66) to 8.12 (60), however, Claremont veteran Beau Maister highlighted his importance to the team, with the bustling forward hauling in seven marks and kicking a team-high three goals.

Maister’s ability to provide a contest, bring teammates into play and set up goals was also impressive, while Keifer Yu was outstanding at the other end of the ground with his reading of the play and attack on the ball, and also drifted forward to kick two goals.

Ruckman Jeremy Goddard continues to improve and won a game-high 31 hit-outs, while Fraser Gilbert and Lewis Davis were outstanding in defence.

Captain Ian Richardson kicked two goals, while joint vice-captain Kane Mitchell worked tirelessly and recorded a game-high 34 disposals.

Morgan Davies had his game ended prematurely after copping a knock to the head, while Nick Winmar was reported for rough conduct.

A holding-the-ball free-kick to Corey Mitchell saw the speedy Tiger set up a rampaging Yu for the opening goal of the game, with Winmar setting the tone with his fierce attack on the contest.

However, Swans hit back with the next five goals, including two to Todd Banfield, before Maister marked strongly and kicked a timely major as the Tigers trailed by 19 points at the first change.

Coach Darren Harris praised the Tigers’ tackling, but implored the team to improve in uncontested possession, with Swans on top in the latter.

A goal-saving touch from Davis prevented Swans from extending their lead, before Lachlan Martinis put his body on the line to make a crucial spoil in defence.

However, Swans kicked the only goal of the second term to extend their lead to 28 points at half-time.

When Yu pounced on an errant Swans’ kick-in it allowed the tenacious Tiger to kick his second goal and give the team a great start to the third term, before Maister added his second and trimmed the deficit to 15 points.

The prominent Yu then set up Richardson for his first goal as the Tigers trimmed the margin to five points at the final change on the back of three consecutive majors and keeping Swans scoreless for the term.

Harris and the team highlighted great voice and on-field communication as a positive, with the Tigers now focused on finishing the game and their pre-season on a high.

A goal to Swans’ Corey Gault extended their lead to 10 points early in the final term, before a strong mark and pass from Maister to Richardson saw the skipper kick his second major and the Tigers trailing by just four points.

Goals to Matt Rogers (second) and Banfield (third) saw Swans reply and take a 16-point lead entering time-on, before some repeat efforts from Maister allowed Matt Palfrey to kick the Tigers’ seventh major.

Maister then kicked his third goal, however, it wasn’t enough for the Tigers, who now turn their attention to round one of the McDonald’s WAFL Premiership Season and West Perth at HBF Arena on Saturday.

CLAREMONT 2.3 2.5 5.10 8.12 (60)

SWAN DISTRICTS 5.4 6.9 6.9 9.12 (66)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 B. Maister, 2 I. Richardson, K. Yu, 1 M. Palfrey.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 3 T. Banfield, 2 M. Rogers, 1 J. Watson, W. Wilson, S. Wityk, C. Gault.

By Dan Scamozzi