Reserves: Five-Star Gilbert Leads the Way

A best-on-ground performance from key-forward Kaiden Gilbert saw Claremont’s Reserves defeat Perth by 14 points at Claremont Oval.

The 14.9 (93) to 12.7 (79) triumph gave the Tigers three consecutive wins and sees the team remain on top of the ladder after seven rounds.

Gilbert’s work rate, pressure (six tackles) and exquisite kicking (5.0) was the difference between the teams in a hard-fought clash in which the Tigers trailed by 14 points at half-time, before a 10-goal-to-five second half sealed their fifth win of the season.

Gilbert’s outstanding performance also earned him the players’ player award.

Lachlan Martinis (17 disposals, eight tackles) was another strong contributor, while Eddie Simpson’s work rate and game-high nine marks were crucial to the result.

Bailey Bennett (two goals) responded to his League omission in the best possible way with a game-high 13 tackles, with the speedy Tiger setting the tone with his repeat efforts, while lively small forwards Cooper Nitschke and Corey Mitchell each kicked two goals.

Jeremy Goddard (54 hit-outs) dominated the ruck, while acting captain Jacob Sideris recorded a team-high 21 disposals.

Michael Bennell kicked a team-high three goals for Perth, however, the Demons were unable to match the Tigers’ work rate and running power after half-time.

The Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term, however, the Demons burst out of the blocks with the opening three goals and took a 16-point lead halfway through the term.

Nitschke responded for the Tigers after taking three bounces and running into an open goal, before a great sidestep and finish from Brett Wilson gave the hosts consecutive majors.

Bennell gave the Demons a nine-point lead at quarter-time after kicking his second goal, with Tigers coach Steven Armstrong encouraged by the team’s recovery from a slow start and ability to work their way back into the contest.

Joe Ugle kicked the Demons’ fifth goal and extended their lead to 15 points early in the second term, before a great tackle from Addison Dew earned the Tiger a free-kick.

Simpson’s strong marking already was on display, before a perfectly-waited pass from Sideris saw Gilbert kick truly from a tight angle.

Bennell responded for the Demons with his third goal before James Corner made the Tigers pay for a poor kick-in, before Nitschke kicked his second to trim the deficit to 14 points at half-time.

13 seconds was all it took for Bennett to slam home the Tigers’ fifth goal after a great hit-out from Goddard as the hosts started the second half with a bang, before Gilbert added his second after great kicks from Wilson and Simpson.

Corner responded with his second for the Demons, before Gilbert added his third after a well-weighted pass from Nick Yarran.

After Gilbert cleverly gathered a half-volley in midfield and kicked the ball inside 50, Mitchell snapped truly to give the Tigers the lead for the first time, before Anton Scotney quickly snatched it back for the Demons.

However, Mitchell quickly snatched it back for the Tigers after electric ball movement through the corridor as the hosts took a two-point lead at the final change, with Armstrong crediting the team’s work rate and run and also paying tribute to the defenders for beating their opponents, but challenged the team to raise it to another level.

Another great hit-out from Goddard allowed Nick Winmar to deliver a spearing pass to Simpson, who kicked truly to extend the Tigers’ lead to eight points, before Scotney responded with his second for the Demons.

A thumping kick from Gilbert sailed straight through the middle and gave the Tiger four majors, before Isaac Buckley responded for the Demons as both teams traded goals in an entertaining contest.

An ability to keep the ball moving through forward pressure saw Bennett kick his second and re-establish the Tigers’ eight-point buffer, before Marshall Jones added his second for the Demons.

However, late goals to Ben Rushforth and Gilbert, with the latter resulting from great pressure and a free-kick, capped off a hard-fought win for the Tigers and maintained the team’s excellent start to the season.

The Tigers will aim to maintain it and record their fourth consecutive win when they face South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in round eight.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts recorded a thrilling two-point win against top-of-the-ladder Perth, 9.8 (62) to 8.12 (60).

CLAREMONT 2.4 4.8 9.8 14.9 (93)

PERTH 4.1 7.4 9.6 12.7 (79)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 5 K. Gilbert, 2 B. Bennett, C. Mitchell, C. Nitschke, 1 E. Simpson, B. Rushforth, B. Wilson.

PERTH: 3 M. Bennell, 2 A. Scotney, M. Jones, J. Corner, 1 J. Ugle, I. Buckley, L. Marlin.

BEST

CLAREMONT: K. Gilbert, L. Martinis, E. Simpson, B. Bennett, C. Nitschke.

PERTH: M. Bennell, S. Perkusich, M. Lague, J. Henderson, L. Marlin.

By Dan Scamozzi.