League: Rogers Stars For Tigers

By Daniel Scamozzi

A disappointing and uncharacteristic first quarter led to Claremont suffering an 18-point defeat against Swan Districts in glorious conditions at Claremont Oval in the second and final of their pre-season fixtures.

The Tigers were held goalless in the first half, and despite working their way back into the contest and winning the second half and recording two more scoring shots, Swans prevailed 12.2 (74) to 8.8 (56).

Robust defender Bailey Rogers starred with his fearless attack on the ball and impressive marking, and brilliantly read the play to deny Swans on several occasions, resulting in him being named Claremont’s best player and deservedly winning the players’ player award.

Rogers had solid support from rebounding defender Lachlan Martinis, while midfielder Kane Mitchell willed himself to contest after contest with his relentless work rate and continually sent the Tigers forward.

Tyron Smallwood, who suffered a nasty cut in the first half and was forced to change his guernsey, played a prominent role in midfield in the second half, while Matt Palfrey kicked a team-high three goals.

Jack Bradshaw and Oliver Eastland each kicked two goals, with Bradshaw combining his duties in the forward line with some fine work and efforts further up the field.

The Tigers took a conservative approach with star midfielder Jye Bolton, who suffered a cork to his left leg and did not return after half-time.

George Hampson and Josh Simpson each kicked three goals for the accurate Swans.

With acting captain Jesse Laurie leading the team, the Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term but were completely outplayed by Swans, with a brilliant spoil from defender Dylan Smallwood and a desperate smother from Laurie among the only highlights in a disappointing term from the hosts.

Coach Darren Harris immediately addressed the players and made it clear that the lack of fight was unacceptable, after Swans piled on six unanswered goals to take a 35-point lead at quarter-time.

Despite a slight improvement from the Tigers in the second term, with ruckman Jeremy Goddard hauling in a strong mark and delivering a great pass to Palfrey, Swans added two more goals to extend their lead to 46 points at half-time.

The Tigers began the second half with Bradshaw and T. Smallwood up the field, however, a third goal to Simpson gave Swans nine consecutive majors.

Eastland then snapped the Tigers’ first goal, before a great pass from Bailey Bennett allowed Palfrey to kick truly, with the hosts now working their way into the contest.

Bradshaw then split the middle from a tight angle, before Palfrey converted a long kick to the top of the goal square from wingman Ben Rushforth.

The result was a 27-point deficit at the final change after four consecutive goals from the Tigers, with Harris lauding the better ball movement and lowering of the eyes, while also praising the better fight shown by the hosts.

Two early goals from Swans extended their lead to 39 points in the final term, before second goals from Bradshaw and Eastland pegged the margin back to 27.

Hampson replied for Swans with his third, before goals to Palfrey (third) and Isaac Wallace rounded out the game for the Tigers.

The Tigers host East Fremantle at Claremont Oval in the opening round of the 2019 Optus WAFL Premiership Season on Saturday.

CLAREMONT 0.2 0.3 4.5 8.8 (56)

SWAN DISTRICTS 6.1 8.1 9.2 12.2 (74)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 M. Palfrey, 2 J. Bradshaw, O. Eastland, 1 I. Wallace.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 3 G. Hampson, J. Simpson, 2 L. Kohlmann, E. Maguire, 1 B. Fullgrabe, R. Garcia.

BEST

CLAREMONT: B. Rogers, L. Martinis, K. Mitchell, T. Smallwood.