TIGERS IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

Top-of-the-ladder Claremont’s Reserves recorded their seventh consecutive win after crushing Peel Thunder by 74 points at Revo Fitness Stadium in round 10.

The Tigers recorded a whopping 42 more inside 50s and 19 more scoring shots than Peel in the 13.15 (93) to 2.7 (19) demolition, and had nine goal kickers as they held the visitors to just one goal after quarter-time.

In another commanding performance which included an even contribution across the board, defender Anthony Davis (18 disposals, five tackles) shone with his reading of the play and repelled several Peel forays as he won best player and shared the players’ player award with hardworking forward Zac Mainwaring (one goal), who applied terrific pressure on the opposition and helped lock the ball in Claremont’s forward line.

Defender Alex Pearce (equal game-high 26 disposals, equal game-high six inside 50s) gave the Tigers terrific rebound from half-back and drove the team forward, while Tyron Smallwood (23 disposals, five inside 50s, one goal) worked hard between the forward line and midfield as he continued his fine run of form.

Acting captain Rylie Morgan (25 disposals, five tackles, five inside 50s, one goal) was prolific through the engine room and helped drive the Tigers forward, while exciting forward Isaiah Butters kicked an equal game-high three goals alongside hardworking forward Lewis Daisley, who provided terrific contests with his relentless attack on the ball.

Ruckman Kieran Gowdie (game-high 28 hit-outs) gave Claremont’s midfield first use, while forward Shaquille Morton played his first game since 2019 and kicked a team-lifting goal in the second term after laying a smother in midfield.

With Morgan electing to kick to the southern end of the ground in the opening term, the Tigers made a strong start to the game when Daisley set up fellow forward Ben Schuhkraft for the opening goal, before Daniel Stubbs kicked the first of his and Peel’s two goals.

Davis then laid a crunching tackle at half-back before Charlie Malone (equal game-high six inside 50s) snapped truly from the pocket, before Pearce set up Daisley for Claremont’s third goal.

Smallwood then laid a crunching tackle of his own in midfield which earned him a free kick, before terrific forward pressure and an outstanding pass from Mainwaring set up Morgan for the Tigers’ fourth goal and a 20-point lead at quarter-time.

With Claremont +15 in contested disposals, coach Darren Harper praised the team’s willingness to play on, before Stubbs kicked his second and Peel’s final goal in the second minute of the second term.

A terrific tackle from prominent defender Jacob Blight in midfield earned him a free kick and led to Butters kicking an outstanding running goal, before a dashing Morton also finished with aplomb to extend Claremont’s lead to 30 points.

Butters then hauled in an impressive contested mark and kicked his second goal after a long kick inside 50 from midfielder Max Spyvee, with the Tigers extending their lead to 36 points at half-time.

Butters then kicked his third goal within the first 30 seconds of the second half before Smallwood kicked truly from 50m, Mainwaring kicking Claremont’s 10^th goal after a terrific contest from Daisley at full-forward.

Daisley then kicked his second goal before Steve Miller produced a great chase and tackle at half-back which earned him a free kick, with the Tigers extending their lead to 57 points at the final change after holding Peel goalless in the third term.

With Claremont in complete control, Harper implored the team to improve their skill level and finish the game strongly, before a scrappy 20 minutes of play engulfed the final term before midfielder Ben Elliott kicked truly after the Tigers had peppered the goals but recorded seven consecutive behinds.

Daisley then kicked his third goal to cap off the Tigers’ seventh win of the season.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts recorded their third consecutive win after defeating Peel Thunder by 21 points, 9.14 (68) to 7.5 (47).

The Tigers have a bye in round 11 before facing West Perth at Provident Financial Oval in round 12.

CLAREMONT 4.3 7.7 11.8 13.15 (93)

PEEL THUNDER 1.1 2.1 2.5 2.7 (19)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 L. Daisley, I. Butters, 1 R. Morgan, T. Smallwood, S. Morton, C. Malone, B. Elliott, B. Schuhkraft, Z. Mainwaring.

PEEL THUNDER: 2 D. Stubbs.

BEST

CLAREMONT: A. Davis, A. Pearce, T. Smallwood, R. Morgan, I. Butters, Z. Mainwaring.

PEEL THUNDER: C. Stone, J. Howes, J. Walsh, B. Kitchingman, J. Ietto.