Reserves: Tigers Overrun by Bulldogs

Claremont’s Reserves had their three-game winning streak ended by South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in round eight, with the Tigers suffering an eight-point loss in blustery conditions.

In the second clash between the teams in four rounds, South prevailed 8.13 (61) to 7.11 (53), with the hosts comprehensively beating the Tigers in contested possession.

The result sees the Tigers slip to second position on the ladder, trailing East Perth on percentage.

In a clash where goals were rare but forward territory was crucial, the composed Lewis Davis, who took a team-high six marks, excelled in defence and won the players’ player award, while ruckman Jeremy Goddard (57 hit-outs) played an outstanding second half to finish with an equal-team high 18 disposals.

Forwards Kaiden Gilbert (six tackles) and Cooper Nitschke each kicked two goals, while Shaquille Morton gave the Tigers great rebound from a half-back flank.

Morgan Davies responded to his League omission by laying a game-high 11 tackles, while Aden Wilkins and Jack Blaauw played their first games of the season and Matt Palfrey (six tackles) returned from a calf injury.

James Egan also came into the team, with Nick Winmar, Lachlan Martinis and Eddie Simpson earning League recalls and Jacob Sideris (ill) and Tom Shanahan (ankle) also among the outs.

South’s Trent Reed recorded an equal game-high 23 disposals and laid a team-high 10 tackles as the hosts recorded their fourth win of the season.

The Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term in overcast conditions as two goals to South either side of a major to Nitschke gave the hosts an early eight-point lead, before Nick Yarran capped off some fine work from Bailey Bennett to kick the visitors’ second.

South’s Zane Sumich then made the Tigers pay for a poor kick-in and gave the hosts an 11-point lead at quarter-time, with Claremont coach Steven Armstrong instructing the team to move the ball along the wing instead of the boundary.

A second goal to South’s Andre Coutinho extended the hosts’ lead to 17 points early in the second term, before a clever left-foot snap from Gilbert saw the Tigers respond.

Goals to Ben Rushforth and Gilbert gave the Tigers three consecutive majors and a five-point lead at half-time, however, a wasteful 3.6 was a disappointing return after a dominant second term.

South kicked the first goal of the second half to take a one-point lead, before Corey Mitchell (10 tackles) capped off some fine ball movement to reclaim the lead for the Tigers and Nitschke grabbed his second after a brilliant finish from the pocket.

Despite the Tigers reaping the rewards from their repeat efforts and forward pressure, two goals, including one after the three-quarter-time siren, saw South cut the lead to just one point at the last change.

Armstrong lauded the forwards’ pressure, before Yarran put his body on the line in the final term.

Despite the courageous act and the Tigers’ best endeavours, a second and the only goal of the term from former Tiger Steven Edwards saw South prevail.

The Tigers will aim to return to the winners’ list when they host Peel Thunder at Claremont Oval in round nine.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts suffered a 25-point defeat against South Fremantle, 8.6 (54) to 3.11 (29).

CLAREMONT 2.1 5.7 7.10 7.11 (53)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 3.6 4.8 7.9 8.13 (61)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 K. Gilbert, C. Nitschke, 1 N. Yarran, B. Rushforth, C. Mitchell.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: 2 S. Edwards, A. Coutinho, Z. De San Miguel, 1 Z. Sumich, C. Yarran.

BEST

CLAREMONT: L. Davis, J. Goddard, K. Gilbert, S. Morton.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Z. Strom, T. Reed, B. Della Franca, Z. De San Miguel, Z. Sumich.

By Dan Scamozzi