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TIGERS FIND A WAY

Monday, April 19, 2021 - 10:26 AM

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

Claremont’s Reserves recorded consecutive wins after defeating Perth by three points in a close and scrappy contest at Revo Fitness Stadium in round three.

The wayward Tigers prevailed 7.15 (57) to 8.6 (54) in ideal conditions, with powerful defender Declan Carruthers (game-high six inside 50s) taking a crucial mark in defence just before the final siren.

The impressive Carruthers was given the task of opposing former Tiger Corey Hitchcock (11 marks, three goals) in the final term, with the prominent but wayward Demon threating to win the game for Perth.

The Tigers found a way to win despite playing below their best and losing midfielder Max Spyvee (ankle) halfway through the second term.

Busy midfielder Rylie Morgan (23 disposals, six tackles) returned from injury and won plenty of the ball and sent the Tigers forward, while forward Max Minear (six marks, two goals) provided a key target in a hardworking performance.

Acting captain Alex Pearce (team-high 24 disposals) continued his great start to the season across half-back before shifting to a wing in the final term, while midfielder Ben Elliott won the players’ player award for his selfless and team-first performance.

Wingman Sam Alvarez was another important contributor, while astute ruckman Steve Miller (game-high 29 hit-outs, one goal) returned for his first game of the season and starred around the ground with his appetite for the contest.

Meanwhile, Zac Mainwaring made his debut, while fellow forward Kade Lines kicked a team-high three goals. 

An outstanding pass from Tyron Smallwood set up Miller for the opening goal of the game in just the second minute, before Perth’s Nyika John levelled the scores in the 17th minute of the opening term.

Another outstanding pass from Smallwood set up forward Ben Schuhkraft for the Tigers’ second goal and a six-point lead at quarter-time, with coach Darren Harper imploring the team to “do the basics well and improve our skills.”

A strong tackle at full-forward from Minear set up Lines for Claremont’s third goal in the seventh minute of the second term, before Minear snapped truly from the pocket to give the Tigers an 18-point lead.

Spyvee then limped from the field and took no further part in the game, before Hitchcock kicked the first of his three goals.

Speedy wingman Cameron Anderson then produced an inspirational chase and tackle at half-back which earned him a free kick, before Pearce laid a great tackle of his own in defensive 50.

This ensured the Tigers took a 12-point lead at half-time, before Lines extended it to 21 points when he kicked his second goal in the seventh minute of the third term.

Hitchcock then kicked his second major before reliable defender Bill Reilly hauled in a strong mark in the back pocket, before goals to Oscar Morcombe and Hitchcock trimmed Claremont’s lead to just four points at the final break.

Harper then moved Carruthers to Hitchcock and Pearce to a wing, which proved to be a masterstroke, as he implored the Tigers to improve their execution.

A centre clearance and kick inside 50 from Morgan allowed Minear to kick his second goal and gave the Tigers an ideal start to the final term, before Caelen Penny kicked Perth’s sixth major.

Anderson then found an unmarked Lines who kicked his third goal before Smallwood laid a terrific tackle in midfield which earned him a free kick.

Two more goals from Morcombe trimmed Claremont’s lead to just three points and set up a tense finish, before Carruthers stepped up in the Tigers’ hour of need.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts also recorded consecutive wins after defeating Perth by 43 points, 12.13 (85) to 6.6 (42).

The Tigers will be aiming for their third consecutive win when they face Peel Thunder at David Grays Arena in round four.

CLAREMONT 2.2 4.4 5.10 7.15 (57)

PERTH 1.2 2.4 5.6 8.6 (54)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 K. Lines, 2 M. Minear, 1 S. Miller, B. Schuhkraft.

PERTH: 3 C. Hitchcock, O. Morcombe, 1 N. John, C. Penny.

BEST

CLAREMONT: R. Morgan, M. Minear, A. Pearce, B. Elliott, S. Alvarez, S. Miller.

PERTH: B. Gray, C. Hitchcock, J. Quill, O. Morcombe, N. John.