Round 3 Reserves: Ledger Inspires Tigers

By Dan Scamozzi

After recording thrilling wins in the opening two rounds, Claremont’s Reserves made an early statement against East Perth at Leederville Oval in round three and never relented as they recorded an emphatic 62-point win.

The Tigers’ 15.10 (100) to 5.8 (38) demolition was orchestrated during a seven-goals-to-none first half and was built on the back of an even contribution across the board.

Despite recording 30 less disposals, the Tigers were far more direct with their cleaner ball movement as they recorded 13 more inside 50s and 12 more scoring shots, and had an even spread of nine goal kickers.

Midfielder Tom Ledger, who recorded a team-high 30 disposals and continually put his head over the ball despite copping heavy attention from the Royals, continued his brilliant form to finish as Claremont’s best player and earned praise from his teammates, while the silky and composed Anthony Treacy (22 disposals, one goal) was also highly influential in midfield.

Composed defender Jaelen McGee (five marks) continued his fine start to the season, while the speedy Isaac Barton (four tackles) kicked an equal game-high three goals and terrorised the Royals with his pace and pressure.

Midfielder Rylie Morgan (28 disposals) made a welcome return from injury and took a team-high 11 marks in his first game of the season, while defender Oliver Henderson (five marks) made a fine debut.

Spearhead Kaiden Gilbert (seven marks, three goals) proved a handful for the Royals with his hard leading, while defender and captain Jesse Laurie (seven marks) continues to lead the team with aplomb through his communication and directing of teammates, and won the players’ player award.

On a sour note for the Tigers, forward Corey Mitchell suffered a game-ending hip injury in the opening term.

The Tigers kicked to the city end of the ground in the opening term and got off to a flying start when wingman Josh Bennett kicked truly in the opening minute.

A ferocious tackle inside 50m from Barton led to a free kick and saw the Tiger double the lead, before Ben Edwards showed tremendous courage to run under the flight of the ball on the wing.

A high-flying mark from Chris (CJ) Oakley at half-forward was the final highlight of a great opening term from the Tigers, with coach Brayden Duckworth lauding the team’s “best start this season” as the visitors took a 14-point lead at quarter-time.

It got even better when Gilbert kicked truly in the early stages of the second term, before Oakley landed a pair of goals to extend the lead to 31 points.

Gilbert then registered his second before Barton did likewise after a spearing pass from wingman Jake Stergiou.

This gave the Tigers a 40-point lead at half-time, with Duckworth imploring the team to not overcomplicate things and keep its foot on the throat.

East Perth’s Ben McGuire kicked the opening goal of the second half to finally get the Royals on the board, before tremendous poise and a handball from Treacy set Stergiou up for the Tigers’ eighth major.

Barton then forced a boundary throw-in after a brilliant spoil, before soon reaping the rewards for his one-percenter as he kicked his third goal.

Matt Young replied for the Royals with a pair of goals, before Eddie Simpson kicked truly and Ben Rushforth finished with aplomb from a tight angle.

This gave the Tigers a 48-point lead at the final change, with the visitors +15 in contested disposals and +7 in inside 50s.

A ferocious tackle from Gilbert earned the Tiger a free kick in the early stages of the final term and typified the forward’s work rate, before the skilful Cooper Nitschke, who has one of the purest and most relaxed kicking actions in the competition, kicked truly after being found by the prominent Treacy.

Treacy then added his name to the goal-kicking list before Gilbert made the Royals pay for an errant kick-in after being teed up by a sharp handball from Nitschke.

The Royals replied with consecutive goals before a centre clearance and spearing left-footed pass from Ledger set Nitschke up for the final goal of the game and rounded off a dominant display from the Tigers.

The team has a bye in round four before facing Perth at Lathlain Park in round five.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts recorded their first win of the season after defeating East Perth by 27 points, 10.8 (68) to 6.5 (41).

CLAREMONT 2.3 7.4 11.7 15.10 (100)

EAST PERTH 0.1 0.6 3.7 5.8 (38)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 K. Gilbert, I. Barton, 2 C. Oakley, C. Nitschke, 1 J. Bennett, A. Treacy, E. Simpson, B. Rushforth, J. Stergiou.

EAST PERTH: 2 M. Young, 1 M. Dobson, N. Arbon, B. McGuire.

BEST

CLAREMONT: T. Ledger, A. Treacy, J. McGee, I. Barton, R. Morgan.

EAST PERTH: N. Arbon, M. Young, M. Gupanis, B. McGuire, N. Michalczyk.