TIGERS READY TO POUNCE

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

Claremont Reserves finished four wins clear on top of the ladder after closing out the home-and-away season with an 84-point mauling of Swan Districts at Revo Fitness Stadium.

The 16.16 (112) to 4.4 (28) demolition was Claremont’s 15^th consecutive win and resulted from the Tigers recording 85 more disposals, 24 more marks, 28 more inside 50s and 24 more scoring shots than Swans.

The Tigers, who kicked 13 goals to two after quarter-time, are now just one win away from a third consecutive grand final appearance and have another bye in the first week of the finals.

Acting captain Ben Rushforth (24 disposals, five tackles, two goals) continued his sensational form with another prominent performance as he gave Claremont terrific run-and-carry and won best player, with inside midfielder Ben Elliott (26 disposals, team-high seven tackles) also starring as he won the ball in the contest and sent the Tigers forward.

Prolific wingman Sam Alvarez (game-high 28 disposals, eight marks) and forward Isaiah Butters (game-high four goals) were other solid contributors, while key forward Max Minear (five marks and one goal) provided a focal point in the forward line and support in the ruck.

Meanwhile, inside midfielder Bailey Bennett (15 disposals, five tackles and one goal) starred in his first game since round eight as he won the ball in the contest and weaved his way out of congestion, while Jack Beeck won the players’ player award and kicked a brilliant running goal from the pocket late in the third term.

The Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term on a sensational day for football, however, Swans struck first through Warrick Wilson.

Butters replied as he crumbed and snapped truly, Ayden Cartwright replying with Swans’ second goal.

With Bennett already busy upon his return from an ankle injury, a spearing pass from Butters allowed fellow forward Zac Mainwaring to split the middle from the pocket, Mainwaring then returning the favour as he produced a dashing run and clearance to set up Butters for his second goal.

This resulted in Claremont taking an eight-point lead at quarter-time, with coach Darren Harper instructing the Tigers to improve their execution and composure and sending defender Louis Passera to the dangerous Wilson.

Forward Kai Harwood won a holding-the-ball free kick and kicked Claremont’s fourth goal in the second term before setting up fellow forward Tyron Smallwood with a squaring pass.

Bennett then snapped truly from a stoppage and was mobbed by his jubilant teammates, key defender Jacob Blight imposing himself on the contest with his positioning and marking.

A long kick to full-forward from prominent ruckman Kieran Gowdie was then converted after the half-time siren by Minear as Claremont increased its lead to 38 points after keeping Swans goalless for the term.

Forward Charlie Malone increased it to 44 when he split the middle from a tight angle in the second half, a courageous spoil from Rushforth on the wing leading to Butters kicking his third goal.

Wilson replied with his second and Swans’ first goal since the opening term, Smallwood then winning the hard ball and Oliver Sheldrick delivering a kick-to-advantage which was converted by Rushforth.

Butters then snapped his fourth goal before a dashing Beeck, who specialises in kicking spectacular goals, produced the highlight of the game as he finished with aplomb from a tight angle as Claremont took a 65-point lead at the final change.

Jake Willson extended it to 71 in the opening minute of the final term before Smallwood quickly made it 77 with his second goal, a great team transition then capped off by the busy Rushforth.

Jack Wilson replied with Swans’ fourth and final goal before half-back flanker Alex Pearce (23 disposals, game-high nine marks) became Claremont’s 11^th goal kicker when he kicked truly to cap off a dominant team performance. 

Meanwhile, Claremont Colts suffered their first loss since round six after being pipped by Swans by nine points, 9.10 (64) to 7.13 (55), and will face East Perth in the qualifying final after finishing in second position on the ladder.

CLAREMONT 3.4 7.11 12.14 16.16 (112)

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.2 2.3 3.3 4.4 (28)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 I. Butters, 2 T. Smallwood, B. Rushforth, 1 J. Beeck, B. Bennett, C. Malone, A. Pearce, M. Minear, K. Harwood, J. Willson, Z. Mainwaring.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 2 W. Wilson, 1 J. Wilson, A. Cartwright.

BEST

CLAREMONT: B. Rushforth, B. Elliott, S. Alvarez, I. Butters, M. Minear.

SWAN DISTRICTS: J. Ugle, D. Ralph, D. More, K. Hughes.