Round 7 Reserves: Tigers Extend Unbeaten Run

By Dan Scamozzi

A ferocious and clinical performance from Claremont’s Reserves resulted in a 35-point win against Subiaco in glorious conditions at Claremont Oval in round seven, extending the Tigers’ winning run to six games.

85 tackles emphasised the Tigers’ appetite for the contest during a bruising encounter, with pressure and desire also key ingredients in the 14.4 (88) to 7.11 (53) triumph.

Nine goal-kickers highlighted the Tigers’ many avenues to goal, with their efficiency and accuracy too much for the Lions too handle.

The stirring win was achieved despite the Tigers trailing by five points at half-time, with the hosts slamming on nine goals to two in the second half, including 5.0 to nothing in the third term.

Midfielder Jake Murphy (20 disposals, 10 tackles) put a difficult week behind him to lead from the front and deliver a brilliant performance, resulting in the respected Tiger winning best player and the players’ player award.

Fellow midfielder Rylie Morgan (equal team-high 24 disposals) laid a game-high 11 tackles and regularly drove the team forward and kicked two goals, while Bailey Bennett (seven tackles) returned from a finger injury to also star in the middle with his ferocious attack on the ball.

Defender Ryan Murphy (equal team-high 24 disposals, five tackles) gave the team great rebound and was one of four Tigers to record four inside 50s, while forward Isaac Barton (four tackles) put in a hardworking performance on the back of his pressure and pace.

Meanwhile, full-forward Eddie Simpson (six marks) kicked three goals and won 11 hit-outs, while Ben Rushforth (four tackles, four inside 50s, one goal) gave the Tigers great dash and attacked the contest with tremendous vigour.

Jordan Law, Matt Palfrey, B. Bennett and Corey Mitchell all came into the team, as captain Jesse Laurie elected to kick to the northern end of the ground in the opening term.

An early goal to Subiaco’s Jack Mayo gave the Lions first blood, before impressive kicks from the hardworking Law and Rushforth allowed Palfrey to split the middle for the Tigers.

Mitchell then swooped on a loose ball to run into an open goal and kick the Tigers’ second, before a booming clearance from Ben Edwards and efforts from Rushforth and Law allowed Simpson to kick the hosts’ third consecutive major.

A courageous spoil from Lewis Daisley at full-back then denied the Lions, before the visitors kicked a late goal to trim the Tigers’ lead to six points at the first change.

With the Tigers +6 in clearances and +8 in tackles, coach Brayden Duckworth praised the team for playing their roles, before another goal from the Lions levelled the scores early in the second term.

Jaymi Spinner-Mainstone then kicked the Tigers’ fourth goal after brilliantly gathering the crumbs off the pack, before Mayo made the hosts pay for errant kicking across half-back.

Simpson replied with his second major courtesy of a 50m penalty, before tempers flared in front of the interchange after a clash involving ruckman Jordon Reid, with the Tiger subsequently reported.

Another goal to Mayo gave the Lions a five-point lead at half-time, with the Tigers needing to regroup ahead of the second half.

Lewis Davis was injected into the ruck for the second half and immediately gave the Tigers a great contest and laid a team-lifting tackle which won him a free kick, before Jake Stergiou split the middle with a spearing finish.

Simpson then kicked his third goal as the result of outstanding forward pressure, before hauling in a strong mark at the other end of the ground to deny the Lions.

Davis then kicked truly after a great transition from half-back, before the prominent Edwards split the middle with a great snap from the pocket.

A brilliant tap from deep in the pocket to the goal square from Davis allowed Spinner-Mainstone to kick his second and the Tigers’ fifth consecutive goal, giving the hosts a 25-point lead at the final change after a dominant third term.

Duckworth was full of praise for the Tigers’ “team footy”, however, consecutive goals from the Lions in the opening 10 minutes of the final term reminded the hosts that their work was far from complete.

Rushforth then steadied the ship for the Tigers after a patient build-up from defence, before Simpson hauled in another mark in the back line.

Morgan then finished with aplomb on the run, before Stergiou gave the Tigers three consecutive goals.

A second goal to Morgan put the finishing touches on a memorable win, before the Tigers belted out the team song with the same enthusiasm with which they attacked the contest on the field.

The Tigers now have consecutive byes before facing Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday, June 16.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts recorded consecutive wins after defeating Subiaco by 28 points, 12.7 (79) to 7.9 (51), while Claremont defeated Subiaco by seven points in the WAFLW, 5.1 (31) to 3.6 (24).

CLAREMONT 3.2 5.2 10.2 14.4 (88)

SUBIACO 2.2 5.7 5.7 7.11 (53)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 E. Simpson, 2 R. Morgan, J. Stergiou, J. Spinner-Mainstone, 1 M. Palfrey, L. Davis, C. Mitchell, B. Edwards, B. Rushforth.

SUBIACO: 4 J. Mayo, 1 R. Vermeersch, L. Hickmott, C. Martin.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Murphy, R. Morgan, B. Bennett, R. Murphy, I. Barton.

SUBIACO: J. Mayo, D. Leach, L. Hickmott, J. Miller, K. Fullgrabe.