Reserves: Tigers Pounce on Sharks

Claremont’s Reserves bounced back to form and returned to the top of the ladder after defeating East Fremantle by 36 points at East Fremantle Oval in round 13.

A blistering six-goals-to-none opening term set up the 15.9 (99) to 9.9 (63) triumph – the Tigers’ eighth win of the season – and featured the entire team playing its role and impacting the contest.

Midfielder Tom Ledger was Claremont’s best player and helped set the tone with his brilliant start to the game, which included two first-quarter goals, and finished the contest with 36 disposals (20 contested), a team-high five tackles and game-high 11 inside 50s.

The tireless Jacob Sideris provided fine support and recorded a game-high 38 disposals and also kicked two first-quarter goals, while Nic Bucknall kicked a team-high three goals and won the players’ player award.

Wingmen Josh Bennett (acting captain) and Tom Shanahan gave the Tigers great service with their run and link-up, while ruckman Jeremy Goddard (53 hit-outs) gave the midfield first use.

East Fremantle’s Nicholas Bonomelli kicked a game-high five goals, however, the last-placed Sharks were blown out of the water by the Tigers’ early onslaught and suffered their ninth defeat of the season.

Shanahan, Jordon Reid, Tre Kelton and Corey Hitchcock all came into the team as the Tigers kicked to the southern end of the ground in the opening term with the breeze at their backs, with Bailey Bennett making the most of a spearing pass from Ledger to kick the game’s opening goal.

Ledger then went from goal provider to scorer when he wobbled through the Tigers’ second, before Bucknall finished with aplomb from a tight angle.

Sideris then dribbled through the Tigers’ fourth goal after some fine work from Goddard in the ruck, before Ledger made the Sharks pay from a 50m penalty with his second.

A fine mark from Reid and repeat efforts from Jack Blaauw then allowed the speedy Sideris to slam through his second and the Tigers’ sixth goal as the dominant start resulted in a 35-point lead at quarter-time, with coach Steven Armstrong lauding the team’s efforts and pressing.

A sharp turn and exquisite finish from deep in the pocket from James Egan extended the lead to 41 early in the second term, before consecutive goals to Bonomelli got the Sharks on the board.

A second to Bucknall gave the Tigers a 31-point lead at half-time, before a great chase and tackle from Kelton allowed Nicholas Allan to kick truly and extend the lead early in the second half.

Four of the next five goals saw the Sharks close to within 24 points at the final change, before a second to Bailey Bennett early in the final term gave the Tigers the opening goal of every term.

Mackenzie Bristow replied for the Sharks, before Brett Wilson and a third goal to Bucknall gave the Tigers an unassailable 37-point lead.

Second goals to Egan and Allan then capped off the strong win.

The Tigers will aim for consecutive wins when they face South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in round 14.

Meanwhile Claremont’s Colts suffered a 55-point defeat against East Fremantle, 15.11 (101) to 7.4 (46).

CLAREMONT 6.2 8.2 10.8 15.9 (99)

EAST FREMANTLE 0.3 2.7 6.8 9.9 (63)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 N. Bucknall, 2 T. Ledger, B. Bennett, J. Sideris, N. Allan, J. Egan, 1 B. Wilson, J. Blaauw.

EAST FREMANTLE: 5 N. Bonomelli, 1 M. Bristow, C. Holmes, M. Anderson, J. Stone.

BEST

CLAREMONT: T. Ledger, J. Sideris, N. Bucknall, J. Bennett, T. Shanahan.

EAST FREMANTLE: J. Stone, C. Holmes, A. Sereda, B. Harding, N. Bonomelli.

By Daniel Scamozzi