Round 10 Reserves: Palfrey Lights It Up

By Dan Scamozzi

Matt Palfrey has been threatening to tear a game apart and, on Sunday at Steel Blue Oval, the mercurial full-forward delivered a powerhouse performance in Claremont’s Reserves’ 37-point win against Swan Districts.

The rampaging Palfrey (25 disposals) was best afield and won the players’ player award after his hard leading and strong marking resulted in game-high totals of 15 marks and seven goals, with the Tigers recording their seventh consecutive win after prevailing 14.10 (94) to 8.9 (57).

125 more disposals, 57 more marks, eight more tackles, 16 more inside 50s and seven more scoring shots reflected the Tigers’ dominance, but the team’s evenness across the board was just as impressive.

Ruckman Jordon Reid also produced a brilliant performance which included 23 disposals, 18 hit-outs and nine clearances, while prominent midfielder Rylie Morgan (nine marks, equal team-high seven tackles) recorded a game-high 33 disposals and kicked a brilliant goal in the opening term.

Forward Alec Waterman (24 disposals, two goals) returned from injury and recorded a game-high nine inside 50s and worked brilliantly in tandem with Palfrey, while midfielder Jake Murphy (27 disposals, six tackles) was another strong performer.

In further positive news, defender Fraser Gilbert returned from a long-term knee injury and played the first half, while midfielder Jared Hardisty (equal team-high seven tackles) played his first game of the season.

Harrison McCracken was also among the inclusions, as captain Jesse Laurie elected to kick to the western end of the ground in the opening term.

The Tigers dominated general play and territory during the opening 10 minutes but were unable to convert, before consecutive goals gave Swans a 13-point lead.

Morgan then roved a hit-out before spinning through traffic and brilliantly snapping the Tigers’ first goal, before Palfrey split the middle from the pocket after receiving a spearing pass from Reid.

This trimmed Swans’ lead to two points at quarter-time, with Claremont coach Brayden Duckworth imploring the Tigers to move the ball forward and not sideways.

Consecutive goals restored Swans’ 13-point lead in the second term, before an inspirational tackle from Reid at half-back denied the hosts and earned the Tiger a free kick.

A tackle inside 50m from Waterman then saw the Tiger kick the team’s third goal, before he set up Palfrey for his second goal with a long kick to full-forward.

A blistering run through midfield from the speedy Jake Stergiou resulted in Palfrey kicking his third major, before Isaac Barton (equal team-high seven tackles) soon added the Tigers’ sixth.

A spearing pass from Morgan saw Jordan Law slam through the Tigers’ seventh, before a spearing pass from Callan England set up Palfrey for his fourth goal.

The result was a 22-point lead to the Tigers at half-time after a scintillating 15-minute burst which yielded six consecutive goals.

With Laurie (soreness) and Gilbert done for the game, the Tigers began the second half minus two rotations as Swans kicked the opening goal of the third term.

Palfrey then set up Waterman for his second goal before brilliantly snapping his fifth major.

Barton then kicked his second goal after a smother from Hardisty and repeat efforts from prominent defender Ben Edwards, before Swans kicked the final goal of the term to reduce the Tigers’ lead to 31 points at the final change.

With the Tigers +16 in clearances and +11 in inside 50s, Duckworth implored the team to “crack in” and win territory, however, consecutive goals saw Swans close to within 19 points early in the final term.

A courageous mark from Ben Rushforth on the wing drew praise from teammates, before Jaymi Spinner-Mainstone gave the Tigers some breathing space.

Fittingly, Palfrey would have the final say of the game with another pair of goals, including a 50m bomb after the final siren, to cap off one of the best individual performances of the season.

The Tigers will aim for their eighth consecutive win when they host East Perth at Claremont Oval in round 11.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts recorded their third consecutive win after defeating Swan Districts by three points, 5.11 (41) to 5.8 (38).

CLAREMONT 2.1 8.2 11.7 14.10 (94)

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.3 4.4 6.6 8.9 (57)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 7 M. Palfrey, 2 A. Waterman, I. Barton, 1 J. Law, R. Morgan, J. Spinner-Mainstone.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 2 O. Matthews, B. Rowlinson, A. Watson, 1 M. Bain, A. Clarke.

BEST

CLAREMONT: M. Palfrey, J. Reid, R. Morgan, A. Waterman, J. Murphy.

SWAN DISTRICTS: C. Garcia, E. Maguire, J. Beck, A. Watson.