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TIGERS FALL SHORT

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 - 10:47 AM

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

Claremont Reserves’ promising season came to a disappointing end at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday afternoon, with Subiaco prevailing by eight points in a low-scoring preliminary final.

Leading by 14 points at the final break, the Tigers, who kicked four unanswered goals in the second term, were overrun as Subiaco kicked the last four goals to prevail 8.4 (52) to 6.8 (44) to set up a grand final meeting with Perth.

After finishing four games clear atop the ladder, the Tigers, who were affected by a lack of games and continuity leading into the finals, couldn’t produce their best football at the pointy end of the season.

However, the premature end to their season will steel and galvanise the playing group and they will learn and improve going forward.

Midfielder Rylie Morgan (21 disposals, eight tackles, one goal) was named best player after he won the ball at the coalface and sent the team forward, with resolute defender Jacob Blight, who reads the play and marks the ball as well as anyone in the competition, also giving the Tigers terrific service and winning the players’ player award.

Ever-improving defender Luke Knight (game-high seven marks, equal game-high five inside 50s) continued his fine form and has a bright playing future in front of him, while tough-as-nails pairing Ben Elliott (game-high 24 disposals, equal game-high five inside 50s) and Oliver Sheldrick (equal game-high nine tackles) battled manfully.

With defender Francis Watson returning from a hamstring injury sustained in round 17 and Jack Beeck captaining the team, the Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term in fine conditions.

However, Subiaco kicked consecutive goals in the opening 10 minutes to open up a 13-point lead, the returning Lewis Daisley preventing the Lions from extending it when he chased down an opponent and won a free kick at half-back.

A spoil inside 50 from Sheldrick then allowed Daisley to run into an open goal, former Tiger Jake Stergiou kicking Subiaco’s third goal to give the Lions an 11-point lead at quarter-time.

Wingman Alex Pearce kicked truly in the early stages of the second term, goals to Charlie Malone, Logan Guelfi and Beeck giving the Tigers a 14-point lead at half-time after a dominant 25 minutes of football.

Subiaco’s Corey Bellouard kicked the Lions’ fourth goal to trim the margin to eight points in the third term, Morgan restoring it to 14 at the final break after gathering the crumbs at full-forward and kicking truly.

However, inaccuracy plagued the Tigers in the final term and they couldn’t hold off the fast-finishing Lions.

CLAREMONT 1.2 5.4 6.5 6.8 (44)

SUBIACO 3.1 3.2 4.3 8.4 (52)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 1 J. Beeck, R. Morgan, L. Daisley, C. Malone, A. Pearce, L. Guelfi.

SUBIACO: 2 A. Breman, J. Faraone, 1 R. Borchet, C. Bellouard, G. Savigni, J. Stergiou.

BEST

CLAREMONT: R. Morgan, J. Blight, L. Knight, B. Elliott, O. Sheldrick.

SUBIACO: A. Breman, C. Patterson, L. Putt, N. Ash, G. Savigni, L. Henderson.