Tigers Overrun by Royals / Round 13 Reserves Match Report

Claremont (Reserves) has lost three consecutive games after East Perth staged a final-quarter comeback to prevail at the Showgrounds.

After trailing by 12 points at the last change, the Royals kicked five goals to nil in the final term to run out winners 12.13 (85) to 9.10 (64).

The Tigers got off to a flying start when Shane Mcadam ran onto a loose ball in the forward line before snapping truly to give the home side the first major of the game in just the opening minute.

The home side then doubled their advantage when Ben Taylor kicked truly from 50m with the aid of a healthy breeze after being found by Ben Daniher.

A behind from Tom Ledger followed before the Royals got on the board through a major to Steven Wityk.

A great pack-mark and goal to Mitch McGovern saw the Tigers extend their lead to 15 points at the 11-minute mark, before a goal to Jackson Slater reduced the margin to nine points.

Keegan Knott kicked his first major after running into an open goal, only to be awarded a free kick after being pushed in the back following his initial effort. A second major from the ensuing free kick saw the Tigers lead out to 21 points at the 21-minute mark of the opening term.

That lead was extended to 28 points at the first change after Taylor kicked his second moments before the first interval, resulting from a neat transition in the midfield.

After taking advantage of the strong breeze in the opening term, coach Nigel Wilson instructed his players to kick the ball low and flat in the second term.

The Royals were first out of the blocks as Malcolm Karpany reduced the margin to 21 points with the first goal of the second quarter.

A third goal to Knott resulted from some wonderful build up play involving Daniher and Ethan Panizza as the Tigers grabbed a game-high 26-point lead.

The Royals, however, would have the better of the remaining play before half time, as goals to Julian Locantro and Matt Gordon saw the Tigers’ lead trimmed to 14 points at the main break.

Torrential rain marked the start of the second half as conditions made visibility and scoring a difficult task for both sides.

Ruckman Mitch Andrews showed a touch of class with a mark and goal after being found by Jordan Law, before Law kicked truly himself, handing the Tigers a 24-point lead at the six-minute mark.

However, the Royals would once again have the last say late in the term through a pair of goals to Gordon.

The Tigers turned for home with a 12-point advantage, however, it was to be the visitors’ day, as they kicked 5.6 to 0.3 in a disappointing final term for the home side.

Next up for the Tigers is a trip to Steel Blue Oval for the second time in six weeks to face Swan Districts.

Ironically, the last time these teams played each other the Tigers produced one of their best victories for the season, however, they have since gone winless.

by Dan Scamozzi

CLAREMONT 6.5 7.6 9.7 9.10 (64)

EAST PERTH 2.1 5.6 7.7 12.13 (85)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 K. KNOTT, 2 B. TAYLOR, 1 M. MCGOVERN, J. LAW, S. MCADAM, M. ANDREWS

EAST PERTH: 4 M. GORDON, 2 L.WILSON, S.WITYK, M. KARPANY, 1 J. LOCANTRO, J. SLATER

BEST

CLAREMONT: K. KNOTT, B. TAYLOR, M. ANDREWS

EAST PERTH: M. GORDON, M. HOWLETT, J. LOCANTRO