Tigers Too Good For Swans | Round 17 Reserves Match Report

Claremont (Reserves) has made it three wins in a row after dismantling Swan Districts by 58 points at the Showgrounds.

After holding Swans goalless in the first half the Tigers were even more clinical in the final two terms, before running out winners 14.11 (95) to 4.13 (37).

The Tigers welcomed ruckman Mitch Andrews back into the fold after three games with the League side, while Jared Hardisty, Ryan Lim and Ashley Fitzgerald all played their second games for the season.

After a tense and tight start to the match from both sides, Keegan Knott kicked the opening goal of the game at the eight-minute mark.

This effort was followed by goals to Luke Salomone (playing his first game since round seven) and Sam Lamont to give the Tigers an 18-point lead half way through the opening term.

Knott then grabbed his second major just before quarter time after a smart kick into space by Steven Edwards, which saw the Tigers take a 24-point lead into the first change.

Coach Nigel Wilson was delighted with the efforts in defence and the conversion from the forwards as the Tigers looked to capitalise on their advantage.

The second term was not one for the highlights reel, with turnovers and poor skill-execution on show from both sides, however, the Tigers once again held the visitors goalless, while Ben Higgs kicked the only goal for the quarter.

After taking a 31-point lead into half-time the Tigers stepped up their efforts in the third term, with Fitzgerald kicking truly after being found by Andrews barely one minute into the quarter.

Jack Richardson then grabbed his first goal after a wonderful squaring pass by Knott, before the silky forward kicked his third goal of the game just moments later.

It took two-and-a-half quarters for the visitors to register their first goal after Dylan Nelson kicked truly, however, the Tigers’ lead was out to 42 points.

When Dylan Harvey grabbed Swans’ second goal eight minutes later the Tigers’ lead was reduced to 34 points, before Salomone grabbed his second major after a neat chain of handballs.

After some wayward kicking in front of goal, Jackson Starcevich kicked truly after being found by Edwards, meaning the Tigers would take a 46-point lead into the final term.

Wilson encouraged his players to keep the foot down in the final quarter, while also seeking better communication and smarter ball use as the team looked to run out the game strongly.

A free kick at the top of the goal square gave Andrews his first goal of the game, before Swans replied through Tyson Hodge.

A second goal to Starcevich gave the Tigers a 50-point lead at the ten-minute mark of the final term, before Salomone grabbed his third major after being found by Fitzgerald.

A second goal to Higgs came after some tremendous work by Aaron Holt, before Brayden Duckworth grabbed a late consolation for the visitors, as the Tigers grabbed their ninth win for the season.

Hardisty took home the players’ player award, while Kiefer Yu, Tom Willett, Holt, Henry Roberts and Dean Blackwell all won plenty of the football.

Wilson was quick to pay tribute to his team after the match.

“It was a great effort from the boys today,” Wilson said.

“It’s a different group of players again this week and the second opportunity for some of those Colts players to have another run with the group. Once again they were fantastic.”

Wilson was also impressed by a number of individuals who he feels can have an impact at the next level.

“Some of the individual efforts were great from players who have a future in the League side,” Wilson said.

“Starcevich, in the last couple of weeks has been a really good target for us. He’s taken some great marks and also been hitting the scoreboard.”

Wilson was also delighted with the efforts in the backline.

“The back six have been really solid and the key is that they haven’t changed too much in terms of personnel,” Wilson said.

“Their spoils have been terrific and their ability to counter-attack has been fantastic.”

Swans’ tally of 4.13 (37) is the equal-lowest score the Tigers have conceded this season, after restricting South Fremantle to the same total in round seven.

The big win sees the Tigers grab a much-needed percentage boost and also move into the top four at the expense of West Perth who had a bye.

A home-win over East Fremantle in round 18 could see the Tigers move into equal-second position depending on other results.

CLAREMONT 4.2 5.7 10.8 14.11 (95)

SWAN DISTRICTS 0.2 0.6 2.10 4.13 (37)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 K. KNOTT, L. SALOMONE, 2 J. STARCEVICH, B. HIGGS, 1 A. FITZGERALD, S. LAMONT, J. RICHARDSON, M. ANDREWS

SWAN DISTRICTS: 1 B. DUCKWORTH, D. HARVEY, T. HODGE, D. NELSON

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. HARDISTY, K. YU, J. STARCEVICH, K. KNOTT, A. HOLT, T. WILLETT, L. SALOMONE

SWAN DISTRICTS: D. NELSON, D. MCKAY, E. HUGHES