TIGERS SHINING BLIGHT

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

A disappointing and lacklustre performance saw Claremont’s Reserves suffer a 28-point defeat against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval in the opening round of the season.

The Tigers started slowly and never hit their straps as Swans prevailed 11.12 (78) to 7.8 (50), with concentration, application, decision-making and skill execution all areas in need of improvement.

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom, with impenetrable full-back Jacob Blight (20 disposals, seven marks) continuing his outstanding form as he repelled Swans and prevented the Tigers from losing by a bigger margin.

The resolute performance saw Blight named best player and win the players’ player award, with Jason Carter also showing promising signs as he continues to build match fitness and cohesion with his new teammates.

Midfielders Tom Ledger and Rylie Morgan were busy contributors, along with Charlie Malone (team-high seven tackles, one goal) and Alex Pearce (team-high 24 disposals), however, the Tigers were indirect in general play and lacked depth with their inside 50s.

Warrick Wilson kicked a game-high three goals for Swans, who raced to an early 24-point lead on the back of four unanswered majors.

Claremont speedster Cameron Anderson then converted a 50m penalty before Malone made the most of a squaring pass from Tyron Smallwood, before a great chain of passes was finished off by defender Ben Ramshaw to pull the Tigers to within seven points of Swans at quarter-time.

Claremont coach Darren Harper lamented the Tigers’ slow start but praised their fightback, before captain Lewis Daisley split the middle from 45m in the early stages of the second term.

A ferocious tackle from Smallwood on the wing was a sign of the Tigers’ renewed appetite for the contest, before Swans slammed on three unanswered goals to take a 17-point lead at half-time.

A brilliant spoil from Blight briefly denied Swans in the opening 10 minutes of the third term, before a second goal from Will Reidy extended the hosts’ lead to 25 points.

A great chase and tackle from Ramshaw along the wing earned the Tiger a free kick before forward Max Minear kicked Claremont’s fifth goal, before Wilson kicked his third major to restore Swans’ 25-point lead at the final break.

With Harper urging the Tigers to “switch on” and “attack the corridor”, consecutive marks from Blight at full-back in the early stages of the final term again denied Swans, before consecutive goals extended the hosts’ lead to a game-high 40 points.

Goals to Kai Harwood and Sam Alvarez added some late respectability to the scoreboard from a Claremont perspective, with the Tigers now needing to regroup and bounce back ahead of hosting South Fremantle at Revo Fitness Stadium in round two.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts suffered a five-point defeat against Swan Districts, 10.9 (69) to 9.10 (64).

CLAREMONT 3.1 4.5 5.6 7.8 (50)

SWAN DISTRICTS 4.2 7.4 9.7 11.12 (78)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 1 L. Daisley, C. Malone, M. Minear, K. Harwood, B. Ramshaw, C. Anderson, S. Alvarez.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 3 W. Wilson, 2 P. Farrant, W. Reidy, 1 M. Bain, M. Germs, T. Oosterhoff, G. Ottaviano.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Blight, J. Carter, T. Ledger, R. Morgan, C. Malone, A. Pearce.

SWAN DISTRICTS: L. Riley, J. Sideris, W. Wilson, D. More, N. Ireland.