RUSHY LEADS THE WAY

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

Top-of-the-ladder Claremont Reserves recorded their 13^th consecutive win after defeating a timid and inaccurate Subiaco by 28 points at Revo Fitness Stadium in round 18.

The Tigers kicked nine goals to three after quarter-time to prevail 11.12 (78) to 6.14 (50), with prominent wingman Ben Rushforth (equal game-high five inside 50s, two goals) playing one of the best games of his career as he won the ball and sent the hosts forward.

Hardworking forward Charlie Malone (game-high nine marks, game-high three goals) also starred and shared the players’ player award with defender Marc Boyatzis, while busy midfielder Rylie Morgan (game-high 20 disposals, equal game-high five inside 50s, one goal) won plenty of the ball and clearances.

Fellow inside midfielder Ben Elliott (nine tackles) applied his trademark attack on the contest, while Alex Pearce was prominent across half-back and took a courageous mark inside the opening minute of the game.

Meanwhile, Kieran Gowdie dominated the ruck on his way to winning a game-high 37 hit-outs, while defender George Graham made his debut.

The Lions led by nine points at quarter-time but were outplayed thereafter as they fumbled the ball under perceived pressure and missed several shots at goal, and were also held goalless in the final term.

Acting Claremont captain and inside midfielder Oliver Sheldrick (equal game-high 11 tackles) elected to kick to the northern end of the ground in the opening term as Rushforth and Sam Alvarez occupied the wings ahead of the first bounce.

Pearce’s courageous mark was an early sign of the Tigers’ commitment to the cause, before second-gamer and key forward Dylan Mulligan hauled in a strong mark at full-forward and kicked the first goal of the game.

Fellow forward Isaiah Butters then converted a downfield free kick after snapping accurately from the pocket, before the Lions kicked three consecutive goals to take a nine-point lead at the first change.

Claremont coach Darren Harper urged the Tigers to not overuse the ball and improve their skill level, before Gowdie took two marks inside the opening three minutes of the second term.

Morgan then won a clearance which allowed Malone to kick truly, before an intelligent tap from Mulligan to a teammate inside 50 ended up resulting in Morgan kicking the Tigers’ fourth goal.

Mulligan then laid a smother inside 50 before Rushforth kicked truly, with the Tigers now gaining momentum and converting their chances.

However, a goal from former Tiger Jake Stergiou trimmed Claremont’s lead to six points at half-time as tempers flared between the two rival teams.

Subiaco’s Jordan Faraone kicked truly early in the second half to level the scores, before Rushforth set up Malone for his second goal.

Subiaco’s Ben Golding then kicked the Lions’ sixth goal to level the scores once again, with Rushforth becoming busier by the minute and Gowdie starring with his tap work.

Elliott then laid a trademark smother before a squaring kick from Zac Mainwaring ended up resulting in an opportunistic goal to Dec Carruthers, who gathered the crumbs at ground level and kicked truly while lying down in the goal square.

Malone then kicked his third goal after the Lions turned the ball over in defence to extend the Tigers’ lead to 11 points at the final change, with Harper praising the hosts’ work rate.

Repeat efforts from Boyatzis along the boundary line forced a throw-in and earned praise from his teammates and the Tigers faithful in the final term, before Rushforth converted a flying snap and forward Ben Schuhkraft snapped truly from the pocket.

Fellow forward Kai Harwood then kicked truly in the final stages to secure another win for the Tigers, who face Perth at Mineral Resources Park in round 19.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts recorded their ninth consecutive win after mauling Subiaco by 68 points, 13.16 (94) to 4.2 (26). 

CLAREMONT 2.2 5.7 8.9 11.12 (78)

SUBIACO 3.5 4.7 6.10 6.14 (50)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 C. Malone, 2 B. Rushforth, 1 R. Morgan, I. Butters, D. Mulligan, K. Harwood, B. Schuhkraft, D. Carruthers.

SUBIACO: 1 A. Breman, J. Faraone, C. Patterson, B. Golding, J. Stergiou, B. Holt.

BEST

CLAREMONT: B. Rushforth, C. Malone, R. Morgan, B. Elliott, A. Pearce.

SUBIACO: N. Menegola, C. Patterson, I. Clinch, P. Mullane, A. Breman.