BULLER SHINES IN DEFEAT

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

A disappointing performance from Claremont’s Reserves resulted in a 39-point defeat against South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Despite kicking the only two goals in the opening term and going into half-time level with the inaccurate Bulldogs, the Tigers were outworked in the second half and flattered by the 11.12 (78) to 6.3 (39) result.

However, all is not lost, with the form of forward-turned-defender Jack Buller, who won best player and the players’ player award for his strong and impressive performance, a shining light for the Tigers.

Buller has embraced and excelled in his new role since switching positions with captain Tom Lee, and shone with his impressive positioning and marking as he repelled the Bulldogs on several occasions.

Having a courageous and strong-marking defender like Bill Reilly alongside him is also assisting Buller, with the former continuing his brilliant form, and ruckman Steve Miller, who provides leadership and direction to teammates, also continuing his strong form and giving the Tigers great service.

Midfielders Tom Curren and Rylie Morgan were gallant in defeat, while Jye Clark impressed across half-back and improved as the game wore on.

However, the Tigers lacked collective effort and were undone by Bulldogs forward Lachlan Feeney, who kicked a game-high four goals.

Ben Edwards and defender Will Stockwell (debut) came into the team for Jordon Reid (suspended) and Anthony Davis (League), as the Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term, with Buller and midfielder Max Spyvee impressing in the early stages of the contest.

Forward Matthew Spoors then converted a pass from midfielder Ben Elliott before Curren kicked the Tigers’ second goal after being found by forward Corey Hitchcock, as Claremont held a seven-point lead against the wasteful Bulldogs (0.5) at quarter-time.

However, coach Ryan Mackenzie urged the Tigers to move the ball quicker and stop affording the Bulldogs so much space, before Buller hauled in an impressive mark at full-back in the early stages of the second term.

The Bulldogs then kicked consecutive goals before tough defender Isaac Wallace laid a smother and Clark crunched an opponent at half-back, before Tigers forward Max Minear won a holding-the-ball free-kick and kicked truly to level the scores.

Morgan then snapped accurately on the run to give the Tigers a six-point lead before Feeney kicked his second goal to pull the Bulldogs level at half-time.

Three goals in the opening seven minutes of the second half stretched the Bulldogs’ lead to 18 points before a centre clearance from midfielder Jake Anderson and a pass from Lee allowed Charlie Malone to kick the Tigers’ fifth goal.

However, the Bulldogs replied with two more goals to take a 24-point lead at the final change.

Mackenzie urged the Tigers to improve their communication and decision-making, with Wallace moved on-ball for the final term.

However, two more goals gave the Bulldogs an unassailable 39-point lead before Lee snapped the Tigers’ sixth goal, before Trent Reed kicked his second goal for the hosts, who ran out comfortable winners.

Meanwhile, Claremont continued their brilliant and ominous form in the Colts after crushing South Fremantle by 91 points, 16.12 (108) to 2.5 (17), with the Tigers recording their third consecutive win and holding the Bulldogs scoreless after half-time.

And Claremont made it consecutive wins in the WAFLW after cruising to a 57-point win against South Fremantle, 9.12 (66) to 1.3 (9).

CLAREMONT 2.0 4.1 5.3 6.3 (39)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 0.5 3.7 8.9 11.12 (78)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 1 T. Curren, T. Lee, R. Morgan, C. Malone, M. Spoors, M. Minear.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: 4 L. Feeney, 2 T. Reed, 1 R. Woods, Z. De San Miguel, Z. Sumich, G. Barnes, T. Hodder.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Buller, B. Reilly, S. Miller, T. Curren, R. Morgan, J. Clark.