TIGERS EXTEND WINNING RUN

BY DAN SCAMOZZI 

Top-of-the-ladder Claremont’s Reserves extended their winning run to four games after recording a comprehensive 57-point win against Subiaco at Leederville Oval in round six.

The Tigers led from start to finish in the 14.9 (93) to 4.12 (36) victory and had an even and impressive spread of 11 goal kickers.

Bullocking midfielder Jared Hardisty returned from a hamstring injury in his first game of the season and applied his trademark attack on the contest, with the League co-captain gathering 21 disposals, laying four tackles and sending the ball inside 50 on four occasions.

Midfielder Tyron Smallwood (17 disposals, one goal) gave the Tigers terrific service around the ground and was named best player for his prominent performance, while ruckman Kalin Lane (18 disposals, four marks, one goal) won a game-high 32 hit-outs and laid a bone-crunching block on an opponent.

Powerful midfielder Oliver Sheldrick (18 disposals) won the players’ player award, while Alex Pearce (20 disposals, one goal) and Cameron Anderson (one goal) gave the Tigers terrific rebound from half-back.

Hardworking forward Logan Guelfi (one goal) and prolific wingman Sam Alvarez (game-high 23 disposals team-high six inside 50s) were other important contributors, while forward Leith Fitzpatrick kicked a goal on debut.

The Tigers kicked to the city end of the ground in the opening term and kicked the first goal when forward Zac Mainwaring converted a holding-the-ball free kick inside 50, before fellow forward Kade Lines produced a team-lifting chase and tackle in midfield to win a free kick of his own.

Midfielder Ben Elliott then laid the first of his team-high five tackles inside 50 before Smallwood snapped truly from the pocket, before former Tiger Josh Robbins kicked Subiaco’s first goal to trim Claremont’s lead to eight points at quarter-time.

Coach Darren Harper praised the Tigers’ pressure and intensity, before forward Ben Schuhkraft converted a spearing pass from Pearce in the opening minute of the second term.

Fitzpatrick then set up forward Lewis Daisley for his first goal before Lane converted from the pocket, before wingman Jake Willson made it four goals in a row and gave the Tigers a 30-point lead on the back of terrific forward-half pressure.

Corey Robinson replied with Subiaco’s second goal before Guelfi kicked his first and Elliott denied the Lions just before half-time with a smother in defensive 50.

The result was a 29-point lead to the Tigers at the main break, before Steve Miller converted a great pass from Smallwood in the second half.

Subiaco replied with two goals either side of a second major from Mainwaring, before Elliott laid another smother, this time in midfield.

The electrifying Anderson then mowed down an opponent to win a free kick in the same part of the ground before Smallwood denied Subiaco at half-back with a terrific smother.

This gave the Tigers a 25-point lead at the final break, though Harper instructed the team to improve its work rate and execution.

Smothers from Guelfi and Hardisty adhered to those instructions, before the latter set up Fitzpatrick for his first goal at Reserves level.

Goals to Daisley (second), Pearce, Miller (second) and Anderson gave the Tigers five in a row, with Subiaco held scoreless in the final term.

The Tigers will aim for their fifth consecutive win when they face East Fremantle at New Choice Homes Park in round seven.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts suffered consecutive defeats after Subiaco prevailed by six points, 11.7 (73) to 10.7 (67).

CLAREMONT 2.4 7.6 9.7 14.9 (93)

SUBIACO 1.2 2.7 4.12 4.12 (36)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 L. Daisley, S. Miller, Z. Mainwaring, 1 T. Smallwood, A. Pearce, B. Schuhkraft, J. Willson, C. Anderson, K. Lane, L. Guelfi, L. Fitzpatrick.

SUBIACO: 2 C. Robinson, 1 J. Robbins, D. Farmer.

BEST

CLAREMONT: T. Smallwood, K. Lane, O. Sheldrick, A. Pearce, C. Anderson, L. Guelfi.

SUBIACO: L. Hickmott, J. Robbins, D. Farmer, C. Robinson, K. Fullgrabe, O. Matthews.