Round 10 League: Mitchell Leads Tigers Past Swans

By Dan Scamozzi

Another brilliant performance from co-captain and star midfielder Kane Mitchell helped Claremont record a 34-point win against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday, giving the Tigers consecutive wins and propelling them into third position on the ladder.

Despite a goalless opening term and leading by just one point at the final change, the Tigers broke the game open in the final term, slamming on six goals to one to prevail 11.9 (75) to 6.5 (41).

The Tigers recorded 106 more disposals, 38 more marks, 24 more tackles, 19 more hit-outs, 18 more inside 50s and nine more scoring shots, and also produced a greater desire to win in heavy conditions.

Mitchell’s tireless performance, which included game-high totals of 38 disposals and 11 tackles, saw him win best player and the players’ player award, with fellow midfielder Declan Mountford (23 disposals, 10 tackles) also continuing his consistent form.

Unflappable full-back Anton Hamp (six marks) again marshalled Claremont’s defence with aplomb, while ruckman Jeremy Goddard (eight tackles, game-high 43 hit-outs) gave the midfield first use and provided a vigorous contest around the ground.

Full-forward Tom Lee kicked a game-high five goals, including four in the final term as he tore Swans’ defence to shreds, while the versatile Haydn Busher produced an impressive performance in defence after replacing Dylan Smallwood (back) in the only change to the team.

The Tigers kicked to the western end of the ground in the opening term, however, Swans kicked three unanswered goals to take a 19-point lead at quarter-time, despite the visitors recording 10 more contested disposals and four more clearances.

Claremont coach Darren Harris implored the Tigers to roll their sleeves up, and the message drew an immediate response as Mitchell won a centre clearance and Anthony Treacy produced a smother inside 50m in the opening minute of the second term, before Jack Bradshaw kicked the team’s first goal after a piercing kick forward from Tom Ledger.

Mitchell then set up Lee for his first goal and the Tigers’ second, before Leigh Kohlmann replied for Swans.

A front-and-centre Ian Richardson then soccered through the Tigers’ third goal, before a spoil and tackle from Hamp at full-back denied Swans and saw the visitors close to within eight points at half-time.

Bailey Bennett pulled the Tigers to within two points in the third term, before Mitchell Howlett replied for Swans.

A handball-to-advantage from Richardson allowed Chris “CJ” Oakley to kick the Tigers’ fifth goal before an impressive pair of marks and a great smother from defender Declan Hardisty served as motivation for the rest of the team.

A great smother from Mountford typified the Tiger’s appetite for the contest as the visitors took a one-point lead at the final change.

With the Tigers +10 in tackles and +12 in inside 50s, Harris praised the team’s mateship and fight, before Treacy cleverly snapped the first goal of the final term.

Fan favourite Jack Beeck, who is no stranger to pulling a rabbit out of a hat, then kicked a brilliant goal from deep in the left-forward pocket to extend the lead to 15 points, before Lee ended the game as a contest with three consecutive goals in the space of eight minutes.

A smother from Beeck briefly denied Swans before they kicked their sixth goal, before a great kick to full-forward from Hardisty allowed Lee to kick his fifth goal and cap off a memorable day for the Tigers.

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

CLAREMONT 0.3 3.3 5.6 11.9 (75)

SWAN DISTRICTS 3.4 4.5 5.5 6.5 (41)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 5 T. Lee, 1 I. Richardson, J. Bradshaw, J. Beeck, B. Bennett, A. Treacy, C. Oakley.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 2 G. Hampson, 1 C. Gault, L. Kohlmann, T. Raynor, M. Howlett.

BEST

CLAREMONT: K. Mitchell, D. Mountford, A. Hamp, J. Goddard, T. Lee.

SWAN DISTRICTS: G. Hampson, T. Raynor, M. Howlett.