Tigers Blow Swans Out Of Water | Round 9 Reserves Match Report

Claremont (Reserves) have bounced back to winning ways after a barnstorming seven-goal opening quarter paved the way for a comprehensive 36-point victory over Swans at Steel Blue Oval.

A five-goal-to-three last quarter in favour of the home side restored some respectability on the scoreboard as the Tigers prevailed 17.8 (110) to 10.14 (74).

The Tigers were irresistible in the first term, with the returning Mitch McGovern lighting up the contest with two early goals after some fantastic contested marking.

A precision pass by Henry Roberts to Jayden Brooks gave the big man his first major at the eight minute mark, and with it the Tigers had an early seventeen point lead over a shell-shocked Swans outfit.

A snapped goal to Ben Higgs courtesy of some quick thinking by McGovern saw the Tigers extend their lead before a Keegan Knott goal on the run saw the first five majors go the Tigers way in what was fast becoming a one-sided contest.

Tom Smirk kicked the home sides’ first goal at the seventeen minute mark courtesy of a 50m penalty, however, the joy was short-lived as the Tigers responded through a fast-thinking Shane McAdam.

A second goal to Smirk reduced the margin to 22 points before Brooks’ second goal saw the away side take a well-deserved 28-point lead into quarter time.

Coach Nigel Wilson implored his team to continue with their efforts in the second term, but at the same time tighten up defensively.

The sign of Kiefer Yu limping from the field with a leg injury minutes into the term was cause for brief concern, before he made his way back onto the field moments later.

A Swans’ brain fade in defence handed Higgs his second goal after a 50m penalty and with it the Tigers had a game-high 33-point lead.

A coast-to-coast Swans’ effort saw Brayden Duckworth kick his first for the game, only for Ben Daniher to respond with a great finish on the run.

When McAdam kicked his second goal at the sixteen minute mark the Tigers were out to a 38-point lead, before a goal to Kurt Tanner moments before the half time siren saw the lead trimmed back to 31 points at the main break.

Wilson was delighted with the efficiency heading into the forward line, but noted missed tackles and dropped marks as areas for improvement.

Goals to McGovern (third) and Jordan Aitken saw the Tigers make a dream start to the second half, before McAdam kicked his third in what was becoming a repeat of the first quarter.

When McAdam kicked his fourth goal after being wonderfully set up by Yu, the Tigers were out to a commanding 58-point lead, before Swans replied with a late goal to Tyson Hodge.

Wilson instructed his charges to finish off the game, however, the home side had different ideas, kicking the opening two goals of the final term.

Second goals to Daniher and Knott saw the Tigers regain their big lead, before Troy Rissman hit back for the home side.

A third goal to Higgs gave the Tigers their seventeenth goal of the game, before late majors to Duckworth (second) and Smirk (third) provided little more than consolation in a contest well and truly dominated by the visitors.

Roberts was outstanding for the Tigers while Panizza won the players’ player award for his superb second and third efforts.

McAdam continued his fine season in front of the big sticks with four goals, while McGovern and Higgs each kicked three.

Daniher, Knott and Brooks all kicked two, on a day where the team had several winners across the board.

Josh Tilley was instrumental in the ruck, gathering 24 hit outs, while the Tigers had a remarkable 25 scoring shots from 45 inside 50m entries.

Wilson noted that a fast start was the focus heading into the game.

“We did say to the boys that we needed to get a fast start and play counter-attacking footy because historically it seems that this year most teams who are leading at quarter time end up winning the game,” Wilson said.

“We did that in the first quarter and I thought it was a real highlight of the game.”

Wilson was quick to pay tribute to the returning McGovern.

“Mitch came back into the side and his marking and kicking was sensational,” Wilson said.

“For that to happen it starts up the ground where we structure properly and feed the ball into the right spots to give our forwards the best opportunity to kick goals.

“We took 12 marks inside 50 until half time and in the first quarter we kicked five goals from those marks so it’s really important we maintain that each week and get the fast start happening.”

Wilson also credited Panizza for his efforts.

“His efforts today were sensational,” Wilson said.

“No matter what he approaches in life, he’ll give it 110 per cent.

“He’s starting to use the ball longer, which we’ve asked him to do. He’s got a beautiful left-foot kick.

“His involvements were second-to-none today and because he’s so quick, he’ll get to a lot more contests.

“One of the goals that we kicked came as a result of Ethan putting two blocks on.

“The little one per centers, that’s why he won the award today.

“In the last two to three weeks he’s really given himself a good opportunity to take the next step and play League footy.”

The Tigers have a 16-day break before taking on Subiaco at the Showgrounds on WA Day.

by Dan Scamozzi

CLAREMONT 7.0 10.2 14.7 17.8 (110)

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.3 4.7 5.10 10.14 (74)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 S. MCADAM, 3 M. MCGOVERN, B. HIGGS, 2 J. BROOKS, K.KNOTT, B. DANIHER, 1 J.AITKEN

SWAN DISTRICTS: 3 T.SMIRK, 2 B.DUCKWORTH, 1 K. TANNER, R.RIDDOCH, T.HODGE, T.RISSMAN, T.SHADBOLT

BEST

CLAREMONT: E. PANIZZA, B. DANIHER, H. ROBERTS, S. MCADAM, M. MCGOVERN, J. BROOKS, K. KNOTT, J. TILLEY, K. YU, H. BREAKEY

SWAN DISTRICTS: J. KIRKUP, N. BROAD, A. STEPHENS, T. SMIRK, E. HUGHES