GALLANT TIGERS DENIED BY SWANS

BY DAN SCAMOZZI

Claremont Colts’ encouraging season came to a disappointing end after they were pipped by Swan Districts in an entertaining Simply Energy Colts Grand Final at Optus Stadium.

In an electric clash which was played at a cracking pace and saw both teams take the game on and play bold football, Swans prevailed by eight points, 12.14 (86) to 12.6 (78).

However, the gallant Tigers lost no admirers and have a bright future ahead of them as they continue to produce and promote some of the best and talented players in the competition.

Midfield warrior Angus Sheldrick (game-high 27 disposals, six inside 50s, two goals) is one of them.

A fierce competitor who wins the hard ball and drives his team forward, Sheldrick absorbed everything that came his way and kicked two brilliant running goals in the third term as the Tigers turned an 11-point half-time deficit into an eight-point lead at the final break.

Patrick Kitchener (five tackles) and midfielder Jacquin Ciminata (game-high eight marks, game-high seven inside 50s) also gave Claremont terrific service, while imposing forward Jacob van Rooyen (game-high four goals) kicked three goals in the opening term and threatened to tear the game apart with his strong marking and accurate finishing (4.0).

Ruckman Eric Benning (25 hit-outs) was instrumental in Claremont’s third-term surge with his efforts in the ruck and around the ground, while Peter Coles kicked two of his three goals in the premiership quarter and gave the team another target forward of centre.

Swans were best served by midfielder Bailey Jenkin (equal game-high eight tackles, two goals), who went head-to-head with Sheldrick and won the Mel Whinnen Medal after being adjudged best afield, while speedy forward Tyrell Metcalf, who had an absorbing battle with Claremont captain and defender Sean Williams, kicked a team-high three goals.

A ferocious tackle on the wing from Kitchener won the Tiger a free kick in the second minute of the game, Fletcher Netherway (five tackles, five inside 50s, one goal) sending a squaring kick inside 50 which was strongly marked and converted by van Rooyen for the first goal.

The future superstar then doubled Claremont’s advantage from a similar position before Swans captain Ben Hewett (equal game-high eight tackles) made the Tigers pay for consecutive turnovers when he kicked the Black Ducks’ first goal.

Van Rooyen handballed to Netherway for Claremont’s third goal, Metcalf kicking Swans’ second as the Black Ducks displayed their blistering foot speed and swooped on any fumbles and 50-50 balls.

A strong tackle from Netherway in midfield won the Tiger a free kick, Coles producing a dashing run and kick inside 50 which was marked by man-of-the-moment van Rooyen who converted to give Claremont a nine-point lead at quarter-time.

Four goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second term gave Swans a 15-point lead and changed the context of the game, defender George Graham producing a goal-saving tackle to prevent the Black Ducks from extending their lead.

The returning Kieran Kavanagh kicked a crucial goal for Claremont just before half-time to trim Swans’ lead to 11 points, Brayden Jones extending it to 15 when he kicked truly in the third term.

Coles then kicked two goals in quick succession, including a long finish from 50m which split the middle, to trim the deficit to just four points.

Enter Sheldrick.

After gathering the ball in the left pocket and converting with his left foot, the No.27 gathered the ball in the right pocket and finished brilliantly with his right foot to send the Tiger Army into a frenzy and give Claremont a seven-point lead.

Ty Sears replied with Swans’ eighth goal before van Rooyen took another contested mark and kicked his fourth to give Claremont five for the term and an eight-point lead at the final break.

Jenkin kicked the first of his two goals to trim Claremont’s lead to one point in the sixth minute of the final term, Coles replying with a brilliant running goal from the pocket before Jenkin kicked his second to regain the lead for Swans.

Cian Ehlers extended it to eight points before Claremont’s Max Mumme snapped accurately to keep the Tigers in touch, Metcalf’s third goal sealing the win for Swans.

CLAREMONT 4.1 5.2 10.5 12.6 (78)

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.4 6.7 8.9 12.14 (86)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 J. Van Rooyen, 3 P. Coles, 2 A. Sheldrick, 1 M. Mumme, K. Kavanagh, F. Netherway.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 3 T. Metcalf, 2 A. Cartwright, B. Jenkin, 1 B. Hewett, C. Ehlers, J. Sullivan, B. Jones, T. Sears.

BEST

CLAREMONT: A. Sheldrick, P. Kitchener, J. Ciminata, J. Van Rooyen, E. Benning.

SWAN DISTRICTS: B. Jenkin, R. Bazzo, E. Hewett, A. Cartwright.

MEL WHINNEN MEDAL: B. Jenkin (Swan Districts).