Tigers Survive Ambush | Reserves Round 21

By Ken Casellas

The Claremont reserves side took the field against Subiaco at Leederville Oval on Saturday with a record of 14 wins and one loss this season and looked anything but a premiership favourite when the Lions ambushed the Tigers and were riding high with a 38-point lead, 7.4 to 1.2, early in the second quarter.

Subiaco scored the first five goals before full-forward Zane Sumich stopped the rot by taking a mark 40m out and dead in front before letting fly with a flour bag punt that wobbled its way through for a major four minutes before the quarter-time break.

Things didn’t improve much for the Tigers in the second term before the players went in for the half-time interval with the Lions leading, 8.4 to 3.4. Subiaco’s lead would have been far greater had it not been for some stout-hearted resistance from Lachie Martinis, Sam Gilbey, Sean Williams and Ed Greenaway.

It was in the second quarter that 18-year-old midfielder Sullivan Moody emerged as a saviour. Not only did he use his strength to soften the opposition with seven first-half tackles, but he initiated the move which led to Claremont’s second goal midway through the second term.

Moody drove the ball forward to Dylan Mulligan, who unselfishly handpassed to an unguarded Darcy Redman in the goalsquare.

Lively wingman Menno Inverarity got Claremont’s third goal after taking a mark 50m out and scoring with a long bomb.

It was Moody who gained possession at the resultant centre ball-up. He surged forward and delivered an accurate pass to Sumich. But only a behind resulted.

It was to Claremont’s credit that the players cast off their lethargy after half-time and outscored Subiaco, 9.7 to 1.6 in the second half to win by 19 points.

It was some spirited work from Riley Disisto and Sam van Rooyen that led to a goal to Inverarity three minutes into the third quarter. Three minutes later it was the dominant Moody who took a mark and set up an attacking move involving Max Rohr and Greenaway and ending with a goal to Ben Evans.

The Lions remained in front until 11 minutes into the final term when Inverarity ran hard to collect a loose ball and boot his third major. A one-handed mark to Disisto saw him score a goal with the final kick of the match which came as a reality check and a wake-up call to the Claremont players.

Little is achieved without the correct mindset and attitude. Being on top of the premiership table is no guarantee of success. Hard work, determination, adhering to the game plan and unselfish team play are some of the factors that lead to victories.

Details:

Claremont 12.11 (83) beat Subiaco 9.10 (64)

Scorers---CLAREMONT: Z. Sumich 4.2; M. Inverarity 3.0; K. Kantilla 1.2; B. Evans, D. Mulligan 1.1; R. Disisto, D. Redman 1.0; K. Dehavilland, L. Guelfi, S. Moody, F. Rogers, M. Rohr 0.1. SUBIACO: C. Henderson 3.0; J. Faraone 2.2; R. Bartlett 2.1; R. Mott, J. Wagenknecht 1.0; J. Evitt 0.4; L. O’Keefe, R. Murison, B. Steinmann 0.1.

Best---CLAREMONT: S. Moody, K. Dehavilland, M. Inverarity, F. Rogers, L. Martinis, S. Gilbey, Z. Sumich, R. Disisto. SUBIACO: N. Ash, H. Duff, E. Barbieri, L. O’Keefe, R. Bartlett, C. Henerson, J. Evitt, R. Morgan.