Round 7 League: Tigers Fall Short Of Lions

By Dan Scamozzi

A disappointing and scoreless second quarter cost Claremont dearly against Subiaco in glorious conditions at Claremont Oval in round seven, with the Tigers suffering a frustrating 24-point defeat to the Lions.

Despite a revival during the third term, turnovers were also costly for the Tigers as the stronger Lions dominated large parts of the game and inside 50s (56-35) to prevail 11.10 (76) to 8.4 (52).

The loss leaves the Tigers with plenty of areas for improvement, including decision-making and skill execution.

However, the Tigers’ backline once again stood tall and was led by unflappable full-back Anton Hamp (16 disposals, eight marks), who blanketed Subiaco’s Clancy Wheeler and repelled several attacks from the Lions.

The brilliant performance saw Hamp win best player and the players’ player award, with captain and midfielder Kane Mitchell producing another tireless performance to record a game-high 32 disposals and equal game-high nine marks.

Tenacious defender Jack Lewsey continued his consistent form, with the hard-running Ryan Lim (24 disposals, nine marks, one goal) also giving the Tigers tremendous service.

Defender Dylan Smallwood (15 disposals, seven marks) stood tall alongside Hamp and blanketed Subiaco’s Lachlan Delahunty, while forward Jack Bradshaw (six marks) kicked a team-high three goals in his return from a knee injury.

Bradshaw replaced fellow forward Harrison McCracken (groin) in the only change to the team that defeated Peel Thunder at the same venue seven days earlier, as Mitchell elected to kick to the northern end of the ground in the opening term.

A turnover in midfield proved costly for the Lions as Anthony Treacy made the visitors pay by kicking the opening goal of the game for the Tigers, before Mitchell took a goal-saving mark at the other end of the ground.

Ryan Borchet then kicked the Lions’ first goal, before Chris “CJ” Oakley pounced on a loose ball and ran into an open goal much to the delight of the Tiger Army.

Kyal Horsley replied to give the Lions a one-point lead at the first change, after a feisty opening term which contained plenty of niggle and banter between the two rivals.

Claremont coach Darren Harris praised the back line but implored the Tigers to stay connected and be composed with the ball, before the Lions completely dominated clearances and inside 50s as they kicked four unanswered goals during the second term to extend their lead to 31 points at half-time.

With the Tigers desperately needing to regroup, a goal early in the second half to Bradshaw was the perfect response, before Oakley ran into another open goal to kick his second.

A high-flying mark from Hamp further underlined his stamp on the contest, before a ferocious attack on the ball from fan favourite Jack Beeck and outstanding forward pressure resulted in Bradshaw kicking his second and the Tigers’ third consecutive goal.

An errant kick across half-forward from the Tigers was punished by the previously unsighted Wheeler, before Lim made the Lions pay for their own errant kick and a 50m penalty.

A late goal from Subiaco’s Rhys Waters gave the Lions an 18-point lead at the final change, however, the Tigers were well and truly back in the contest, with Harris again praising the back line and reminding the team that they are playing to win.

Consecutive goals from the Lions extended their lead to 30 points in the final term, before Treacy kicked his second for the Tigers.

A laughable 50m penalty then gifted Waters his second major, before Bradshaw kicked his third goal after the final siren.

The Tigers will aim for their fifth win when they face West Coast at Optus Stadium in round eight.

CLAREMONT 2.1 2.1 6.3 8.4 (52)

SUBIACO 2.2 6.8 8.9 11.10 (76)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 J. Bradshaw, 2 A. Treacy, C. Oakley, 1 R. Lim.

SUBIACO: 3 R. Borchet, 2 R. Waters, 1 L. Kitchin, S. Moore, B. Newton, B. Sokol, C. Wheeler, K. Horsley.

BEST

CLAREMONT: A. Hamp, K. Mitchell, J. Lewsey, R. Lim, D. Smallwood.

SUBIACO: L. Kitchin, C. Hoskins, A. Litherland, M. Walters, G. Clark.