First Loss for the Reserves | Round 14

By Ken Casellas

The loss of key forward Sam van Rooyen and powerful ruckman West Love for the reserves contest against South Fremantle at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday was a major factor in the side’s 18-point loss and will result in a reality check.

The defeat ended Claremont’s unbeaten run of ten matches this year and it showed that nothing can be taken for granted in sport.

However, a pleasing aspect of Saturday’s match was that there was no lack of endeavour from the players who challenged the Bulldogs throughout the contest and laid a remarkable total of 93 tackles.

The Tigers had the first use of a fresh breeze and quickly had two goals on the board before South Fremantle steadied and replied with two majors to go into the quarter-time break with a one-point advantage. Claremont certainly paid the penalty for a general lack of composure.

Coen Jackman stood out in his much-anticipated return to action after missing the side’s three previous matches as he recovered from concussion. Also returning to the side was ruckman Max Rohr, fresh from his excellent form for the West Australian side in the national 18’s carnival.

Jackman played at full-forward and as Rohr’s back-up ruckman, and he was under notice from the outset with his vigorous play and fierce attack on the ball. He booted a goal in the opening minute of the second quarter, but that was his side’s only major for the term during which South Fremantle added four goals to hold a handy lead at half-time, with 7.5 to Claremont’s 3.3.

Claremont were missing the presence of van Rooyen, who had shone as a highly influential member of the side in previous matches. He damaged a hamstring at training and is hopeful of being fit to resume in the round 17 match against East Perth.

Love was also an onlooker on Saturday, hobbling about with the aid of a moon boot on his damaged left ankle.

Anton Hanson was a formidable opponent on Saturday, but Rohr with 28 hit-outs and Jackman with seven greatly reduced his influence.

Leading the way in the big tackle count for Claremont were Sean Williams (12), Menno Inverarity (11), Kai Dehavilland (eight), Ashton Bryant (seven), Jackman (five), Bailey Banfield (five) and Felix Rogers (five).

Riley Disisto had a breakout game for the Tigers, scoring two goals in the first quarter and finishing with three.

Details:

South Fremantle 11.8 (74) beat Claremont 8.8 (56)

Scorers---SOUTH FREMANTLE: C. Copeland 3.0; L. Polson 2.2; A. Ferreira 2.0; C. McDonald 1.1; C. Datson, C. Osborn, L. Turley 1.0; J. Gallucci, M. Kelly, L. Mitchell, R. O’Hehir 0.1; 4pts forced. CLAREMONT: R. Disisto 3.1; B. Evans, L. Evans, M. Inverarity 1.1; C. Jackman, M. Rohr 1.0; M. Mumme, F. Rogers 0.1; 2pts forced.

Best---SOUTH FREMANTLE: J. Gallucci, M. Kelly, C. Datson, L. Turley, J. Whan, J. Sax, C. Copeland, A. Hanson, R. O’Hehir. CLAREMONT: C. Jackman, K. Dehavilland, A. Bryant, R. Disisto, M. Inverarity, L. Guelfi, M. Rohr.