Reserves: Impressive Tigers Bury Peel

Claremont’s Reserves returned to the winners’ list and the top of the ladder after smashing a woeful Peel Thunder by 73 points at Claremont Oval in round nine.

The Tigers kicked 13 goals to two after quarter-time and held Peel goalless in the second and third terms as they recorded their sixth win of the season, 16.10 (106) to 4.9 (33).

The emphatic triumph featured terrific intensity, pressure, hard running, midfield dominance, 11 goal kickers and a resolute defence, led by an unflappable Tiger.

Key defender Dylan Smallwood (23 disposals) has had a brilliant start to the season and finished as the Tigers’ best player and won the players’ player award for his outstanding performance, which included a game-high 13 marks.

Addison Dew (26 disposals, 11 marks, one goal) provided excellent support and rebound, while Morgan Davies (22 disposals, one goal) won several clearances and drove the Tigers forward.

Brett Wilson was a solid contributor across half-forward and kicked three goals, including two in a row from a tight angle in the third term, while the lively James Egan also kicked three and continues to impress with his turn of speed and immaculate foot skills.

Tom Shanahan (20 disposals) returned from an ankle injury and set the tone with his attack on the ball, which included two brilliant smothers, while Jacob Sideris returned from illness and was directly involved in several goals, recorded a team-high five inside 50s, kicked a goal and led the way with his repeat efforts and hard running.

Ruckman Jeremy Goddard (49 hit-outs, one goal) gave the midfield first use, while Jesse Laurie returned and captained the team in his first game since round six.

Isaac Wallace also came into the team, with Matt Palfrey (League), Josh Bennett (hamstring), Aden Wilkins and Jack Blaauw the outs.

The Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term in perfect conditions, as a smart tap from Sideris and a handball from Egan set up Shaquille Morton for the opening goal of the game.

Wilson quickly made it two with Sideris involved again, before a well-weighted pass from Jack Lewsey set up Cooper Nitschke for the Tigers’ third and a 19-point lead.

Peel hit back with consecutive majors before Brett Milward was stretchered off the ground, as the Tigers took a six-point lead into quarter-time.

With the Tigers on top in tackles and uncontested marks, coach Steven Armstrong lauded their spreading but instructed the forwards to get front and centre.

A brilliant smother from Shanahan paved the way for Bailey Bennett to kick the Tigers’ fourth goal early in the second term after a great gather and pass from Kaiden Gilbert, before Egan finished with aplomb from a tight angle.

With Sideris becoming more prominent by the minute and inspiring the team, a great chase and tackle from Wilson earned the Tiger a free kick before another great pass from Lewsey set up Egan for his second goal, giving the hosts a 26-point lead at half-time.

Egan then kicked his third after another brilliant smother from Shanahan as the Tigers extended the lead to 34 in the third term, before Davies kicked truly after a 50m penalty and pass from Smallwood.

A great turn of speed and pass from Egan set up Sideris for the Tigers’ ninth major, before Wilson rewarded the midfield dominance with immaculate finishes from a similar position in the right-forward pocket.

Appropriately, Goddard was next to kick truly, with Lewsey recording another goal assist and the Tigers taking a 63-point lead at three-quarter time on the back of nine consecutive goals.

Armstrong paid tribute to the defence but encouraged the team to take the game on even more, before Peel’s Jake Dowding kicked the visitors’ first goal since the 21-minute mark of the opening term.

Nick Bucknall hit back with his first goal for the club and was mobbed by teammates, before the Tigers kicked three of the last four majors to cap off an impressive performance.

The Tigers will aim for consecutive wins when they host Swan Districts at the same venue in round 10.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts suffered consecutive defeats after a 36-point loss to Peel Thunder, 12.14 (86) to 7.8 (50).

CLAREMONT 3.2 6.6 12.8 16.10 (106)

PEEL THUNDER 2.2 2.4 2.5 4.9 (33)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 B. Wilson, J. Egan, 2 S. Morton, 1 M. Davies, J. Goddard, B. Bennett, J. Sideris, C. Mitchell, N. Bucknall, A. Dew, C. Nitschke.

PEEL THUNDER: 1 M. Tassone, K. Ah-Chee, J. Dowding, R. Schindler-Taylor.

BEST

CLAREMONT: D. Smallwood, M. Davies, B. Wilson, A. Dew, J. Egan.

PEEL THUNDER: J Kirby, H Matthews, M Tassone, J Shine, K Scarrott.

By Dan Scamozzi.