Tigers Dominate Falcons | Round 2 Reserves Match Report

Claremont’s Reserves’ (Development) have made it consecutive wins to start the season, after a 45 point victory over West Perth at Arena Joondalup.

Alex Manuel kicked a game-high three goals, while Luke Cameron and Sam Lamont chipped in with two, as the Tigers prevailed 14.10 (94) to 7.7 (49).

The Tigers victory was set up by a dominant opening term, which included 19 inside 50m entries.

The Falcons got off to a dream start when Tim Sutherland kicked truly from 45 metres to give the home side an early lead.

The Tigers worked their way into the contest when Sam Lamont intercepted a Falcons kick 35 metres out from goal, only for his shot to fall short.

The Falcons failed to adhere the warning as Lamont kicked the Tigers first goal after some fantastic roving to level the scores at one goal apiece six minutes into the contest.

A behind from Kiefer Yu followed, before Lamont grabbed his second goal after some fantastic tackling pressure from the Tigers in their forward half.

A Ben Taylor goal from 40 metres out gave the Tigers their third major and suddenly the away team were out to a 13 point lead at the 18 minute mark.

Luke Cameron was then awarded a free kick at the top of the goal square as a result of a marking contest and when he kicked truly the lead was out to 19 points.

Lamont then registered a behind to give the Tigers a 20 point lead at quarter time, 4.2 (26) to 1.0 (6).

Tigers Coach Nigel Wilson was extremely happy with his sides’ pressure and intensity in the opening term, but urged his players to be more effective when going forward.

A scrappy start to the second term was to follow, before Cameron kicked his second goal to give the Tigers a 26 point lead at the 15 minute mark.

Moments later, an inspired chase and tackle saw Yu rewarded with a shot at goal from close range, and when he kicked truly the Tigers were out to a commanding 32 point lead.

Behinds from Lamont and Yu followed, before Seva Martin kicked a badly needed goal for the Falcons, which saw them trail the Tigers by 27 points at the major break.

Wilson was again happy with his sides’ pressure on the opposition, but stressed the need to improve the way they moved the ball forward, with the Falcons placing loose numbers behind the ball.

Some fantastic ball movement allowed Manuel to give the Tigers a dream start to the second half with his first goal extending the lead to 34 points.

The Falcons responded with a goal to Corey Chalmers, only for the Tigers to immediately hit back through Cameron’s second of the game.

A goal to Joseph Morrow at the 15 minute mark saw the Tigers lead trimmed to 27 points, before Luke Falconer’s first of the afternoon pushed the margin back out to 33.

When Jack McPhee kicked his first goal after winning a holding the ball free kick, the Tigers lead was out to a game-high 40 points.

Sutherland then kicked his second goal of the afternoon after winning a free kick in a ruck contest, before Shaun Marusic’s late effort saw the Falcons close to within 29 points at the last change.

After an even third term which saw both teams kick four goals, the last term got off to a scrappy start, before Manuel registered his second goal from a tight angle.

When Jayden Brooks kicked his first goal at the 18 minute mark of the last term, the Tigers were well and truly on their way to victory.

Manuel then kicked his third goal from an identical spot as moments earlier as the lead blew out to 47 points.

When Chalmers kicked his second goal, the home team trailed by 42 points, before man-of-the-match Corey Yeo capped off his outstanding afternoon with a major at the 25 minute mark, resulting in an emphatic Tigers victory.

Yeo was by far the dominant player on the ground, finishing with 39 disposals, five marks, seven clearances and one goal.

The Tigers were also well served by League regulars Yu and Sam Fong, while Ben Daniher, Matthew Goyder, and Liam Smith all won plenty of the ball.

Wilson was pleased with his sides effort in what was a scrappy game at times.

“It wasn’t pretty, but at times when the ball got set free, we were able to use it with a little bit of space, and we used it better than the opposition,” Wilson said.

“There’s a few things we need to work on going into our forward line, but full credit to the boys.

“Once again their intensity and their efforts around the football were fantastic.”

Wilson was full of praise for his teams overall defensive effort.

“For the guys down back and for the players who worked to push back, to actually keep the opposition to 7.7 was a fantastic effort,” Wilson said.

“Our forced turnovers were through the roof again for the game, which is your tackling, spoiling and smothering.

“All of those things when the opposition have the ball and we forced the ball back our way, our numbers were even better this week than last week.”

Wilson was not too concerned that the side failed to convert some early chances.

“The opportunities that we squandered in that first quarter, the boys intent was always there, it just needs a bit of polish and that will come with more games of football. We probably could’ve been ten goals up.” Wilson said.

Wilson was full of praise for Yu and Fong who were omitted from last week’s League team.

“Kiefer got a lot of the ball today.” Wilson said.

“He’s come back and really put the effort in that’s required.

“To have a guy like Sam Fong come back, he was given a little bit of a different role to that of the League side, but he acquitted himself really well.

“His attack and his ferocity at the contest, to me that was amazing.

“His kicking efficiency was fantastic, he was working at 100% with that.

“His attack at the contest, the ball and the opposition were second to none.”

Yeo also earned the praise of his coach.

“He gave himself a chance for his name to be thrown up next week for the League side.” Wilson said.

Adding to Wilson’s delight is the competition for spots.

“Shane McAdam got injured at training on Thursday. He’ll be available for next week.” Wilson said.

“Guys like Mitch Andrews, Mitch McGovern their available.

“We’re going to have fun at selection.

“It’s a good situation to be in.

“Even in the Development squad, you’ve really got to earn your spot.”

The Tigers take on Subiaco at East Fremantle Oval next Saturday.

Bounce down is at the earlier time of 10.05am.

by Dan Scamozzi

CLAREMONT 4.2 6.5 10.8 14.10 (94)

PERTH 1.0 2.2 6.4 7.7 (49)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 A. MANUEL, 2 S. LAMONT, L. CAMERON, 1 J. BROOKS, L. FALCONER, J. MCPHEE, L. SMITH, B. TAYLOR, C. YEO, K. YU.

WEST PERTH: 2 C. CHALMERS, T. SUTHERLAND, 1 S. MARTIN, S. MARUSIC, J. MORROW

BEST

CLAREMONT: C. YEO, K. YU, S. FONG, B. DANIHER, B. TAYLOR, S. LAMONT, L. SMITH, M. GOYDER

WEST PERTH: C. CHALMERS, S. HEALY, J. THRUM, T. SUTHERLAND