MORGAN LEADS THE WAY

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

Midfielder Rylie Morgan (game-high 35 disposals, one goal) played a starring role as Claremont’s Reserves recorded their 10th consecutive win after defeating Peel Thunder by 17 points at David Grays Arena in round 15.

Challenged by coach Darren Harper at three-quarter time to improve their work rate after a disappointing third term, the Tigers kicked three goals to one in the final term to prevail 9.15 (69) to 7.10 (52).

Hardworking forward Zac Mainwaring (19 disposals, one goal) and ruckman Steve Miller (19 disposals, team-high eight marks, game-high 27 hit-outs, one goal) shared the players’ player award after their prominent performances, while wingmen Ben Rushforth (20 disposals, one goal) and Sam Alvarez (24 disposals) also gave the Tigers terrific service.

Forwards Max Minear and Logan Guelfi both kicked two goals, while senior defenders Jack Lewsey and Jack Beeck returned from knee injuries, with the latter playing his first game since the 2019 League preliminary final.

The Tigers, led by acting captain Rushforth, kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term in muddy conditions and made a dream start when Miller hauled in a strong mark at full-forward and kicked the opening goal in the second minute.

Peel replied with consecutive goals before Beeck entered the fray, before forward Kai Harwood kicked the Tigers’ second goal.

Peel’s Ryan Bennell replied to give the hosts a four-point lead at quarter-time, with Harper imploring the Tigers to be cleaner with the ball and not overdo the handball.

A 50m penalty allowed Guelfi to reclaim the lead for the Tigers in the second term before Peel’s Jaxon Egan kicked his second goal, before goals to Minear and Morgan gave Claremont a 12-point lead at half-time.

Mainwaring extended the lead to 18 points early in the second half when he crumbed and snapped truly, before Peel’s Jonathon Ietto kicked his second goal.

Miller then hauled in a brilliant and spectacular mark on the boundary line, before Lewsey was rewarded for a desperate tackle in defence.

However, Bennell then kicked his second goal to pull Peel to within seven points at the final change, with the hosts taking 37 uncontested marks in the third term.

Peel then kicked the opening goal of the final term to trim the margin to just one point, before Rushforth snapped brilliantly from the pocket and Guelfi kicked his second major.

Minear then kicked his second goal after the final siren to cap off a scrappy win for the Tigers, who host East Fremantle at Revo Fitness Stadium in round 16.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts recorded their sixth consecutive win after defeating Peel Thunder by 29 points, 10.13 (73) to 6.8 (44).

CLAREMONT 2.3 5.8 6.12 9.15 (69)

PEEL THUNDER 3.1 4.2 6.5 7.10 (52)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 M. Minear, L. Guelfi, 1 R. Morgan, S. Miller, B. Rushforth, K. Harwood, Z. Mainwaring.

PEEL THUNDER: 2 J. Egan, R. Bennell, J. Ietto, 1 J. Sears.

BEST

CLAREMONT: R. Morgan, Z. Mainwaring, S. Miller, B. Rushforth, S. Alvarez.

PEEL THUNDER: J. Ewing, T. Nesbitt, J. Ietto, C. Morris, J. Edwards.