ROUND 5: TIGERS TOO GOOD FOR FALCONS

BY DAN SCAMOZZI 

Claremont’s Reserves recorded their third consecutive win after defeating West Perth by 20 points in glorious conditions at Revo Fitness Stadium in round five.

The Tigers led from start to finish in the 11.11 (77) to 8.9 (57) victory, which moves them to the top of the ladder.

Defender Marc Boyatzis (22 disposals) won best player and the players’ player award for his prolific performance, while prominent midfielder Rylie Morgan (game-high 28 disposals, equal game-high nine marks, game-high six inside 50s) won plenty of the ball and set up several goals as he sent the Tigers forward.

Acting captain Steve Miller (two goals) gave the Tigers a key target and continues to impress with his communication and direction to teammates, while midfielder Ben Elliott (20 disposals, one goal) and wingman Sam Alvarez (20 disposals, equal game-high nine marks, one goal) also gave the hosts tremendous service.

Forwards Lewis Daisley and Ben Schuhkraft kicked two goals each, while defender Nathan Pearce made a promising debut across half-back.

Tristan Hobley and Koopah Todd kicked two goals each for the Falcons, who were jumped by the Tigers in the opening term.

The Tigers kicked to the Claremont end of the ground and made an early statement when Morgan won a centre clearance and delivered a spearing pass to Miller, who went back and split the middle from 45m.

Ruckman Kalin Lane then denied the Falcons with a strong mark at full-back before Baylee James kicked the visitors’ first and only goal for the term.

Alvarez produced repeat efforts and a brilliant finish before Charlie Malone made it three goals for the Tigers, who were already setting the tone with their hard running.

Schuhkraft then cleverly kept the ball in play and allowed Elliott to snap Claremont’s fourth goal and give the hosts a 16-point lead at quarter-time.

Coach Darren Harper praised the Tigers’ “match awareness” but implored the hosts to “keep the momentum going”, before grunt work from Boyatzis and a spearing pass from Malone set up Schuhkraft, who finished brilliantly from a tight angle.

The Falcons replied with consecutive goals before a long kick to full-forward from defender Luke Knight set up Schuhkraft for his second major.

Wingman-turned-defender Cameron Anderson then became a goalkeeper as he denied the Falcons on the last line of defence, before a thumping clearance from Elliott and some nifty work from forward Zac Mainwaring allowed Miller to kick his second goal after the half-time siren.

This gave the Tigers a 21-point lead at the main break before Hobley kicked his first goal for the Falcons in the third term after a turnover from the hosts across half-back.

Another centre clearance from Morgan saw Mainwaring haul in a high-flying mark and deliver a spearing pass to Daisley for his first goal, before the Falcons kicked three quick goals to reduce the margin to just four points.

A strong tackle from forward Logan Guelfi earned the Tiger a free kick on the wing before Morgan delivered a spearing pass to Daisley for his second goal, giving the hosts a nine-point lead at the final change.

Harper lamented the Tigers letting the Falcons back into the game during a passionate address at the final change and also instructed Guelfi to move to the wing, with the move paying instant dividends when Guelfi produced a great chase and laid another terrific tackle to earn himself another free kick in the final term.

Speedster Cameron then pounced on a loose ball at half-forward and thumped through Claremont’s 10^th goal before Ben Rushforth kicked truly on the run to give the Tigers a game-high 24-point lead.

Hobley then kicked his second goal for the Falcons before Anderson laid a strong tackle to earn a free kick in the last significant act of the game.

The Tigers will aim for their fourth consecutive win when they face Subiaco at Leederville Oval in round six.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts suffered a 23-point loss against West Perth, 11.10 (76) to 7.11 (53).

CLAREMONT 4.1 7.4 9.5 11.11 (77)

WEST PERTH 1.3 3.7 7.8 8.9 (57)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 L. Daisley, S. Miller, B. Schuhkraft, 1 B. Rushforth, C. Malone, B. Elliott, C. Anderson, S. Alvarez.

WEST PERTH: 2 T. Hobley, K. Todd, 1 T. Medhat, B. James, N. Murray, R. Scurria.

BEST

CLAREMONT: M. Boyatzis, R. Morgan, S. Miller, B. Elliott, S. Alvarez, L. Daisley.

WEST PERTH: J. Salecic, K. Johnson, T. Hobley, N. Murray, K. Todd.