Tigers Return to Winners List | Round 22 Reserves Match Report

Claremont (Reserves) will enter its do-or-die round-23 clash against East Perth full of confidence after overcoming West Perth by 24 points at the Show Grounds.

After a disappointing loss to Subiaco in round 22, the Tigers produced a stirring second-half showing against the Falcons to run out 14.7 (91) to 10.7 (67) winners.

Amazingly, West Perth (second), East Fremantle (third) and Claremont (fourth) remain just two points ahead of fifth-placed East Perth heading into the final round of fixtures.

The Tigers welcomed Luke Falconer, Jack Richardson, Luke Salamone, Sam Fong and Ashley Fitzgerald into the team in place of Aaron Holt, Shane McCadam, John Williams, Jordan Law and Tom Bowering.

The Falcons were first out of the blocks as goals to Matthew Fowler and Shaun Marusic gave the visitors an early 12-point lead with the Tigers getting off to a slow start for the third week running.

Claremont responded with a kick and clearance by Matt Orzel being roved in the forward line by Fitzgerald who handballed to second-gamer Kaiden Gilbert as he ran into an open goal to slam through the Tigers’ first major.

However, the Falcons got the quick reply through Blake Wilhelm and re-established their 12-point lead at the 10-minute mark of the opening term.

A second goal to Gilbert resulted from a pass by Salamone and pulled the Tigers back within six points as both sides traded goals in an entertaining start to the match.

The Tigers then gifted Ben O’Regan a goal after a costly turnover in defence, with the Falcons taking a 13-point lead at the 20-minute mark.

A goal to Ben Higgs saw the Tigers respond once again, however, a late goal to Jack Thrum handed the Falcons a 14-point lead at quarter-time.

Coach Nigel Wilson instructed his players to kick the ball long and move it quicker in the second term, with the Tigers’ dominance in the clearance count (14-6) not reflecting the scoreboard.

The Tigers needed a fast start to the second term and they got it through a goal to Sam Lamont, reducing the deficit to just eight points.

Despite Richardson only managing a minor score after a searching pass by Orzel moments later, the Tigers were now working their way on top, however, a second goal to Fowler against the run of play saw the Falcons out to a 14-point lead at the halfway point of the second term.

A goal to Joel Ebert saw the Tigers close to within eight points once again, and when Ethan Panizza goaled on the run the margin was trimmed to just two points in favour of the Falcons.

A late behind to Keegan Knott resulted from a wonderful chase and tackle by Max Bentley, as the Falcons took a one-point lead into half-time.

The third term would belong to the Tigers, as Sam Fong gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the match after a kick into space by Richardson.

Richardson then kicked his first goal after a great chain of play from defence, and the Tigers were out to a 10-point lead halfway through the third term.

A goal to Ben Taylor resulted from a handball by Fitzgerald, before the Falcons cut the Tigers’ lead to nine points after a second major to Wilhelm.

However, a late goal to Knott from a 50m penalty saw the Tigers head for home with a 15-point lead after a dominant four-goal-to-one quarter.

Wilson was much happier with his sides play, but maintained only a similar performance over the next 28 minutes would be enough to record a win.

Fitzgerald gave the Tigers a fast start to the final term when he goaled in the opening minute, and suddenly the Tigers were out to a 21-point lead.

Bentley then had his number taken after front-on head-high contact against James Embley, although both players seemed to be contesting the ball.

A goal to Joseph Morrow at the nine-minute mark saw the Falcons close to within 16 points, however, a second major to Richardson gave the Tigers some more breathing space and a 22-point lead just two minutes later.

When Panizza ran into an open goal for the second time in the match the Tigers were out to a commanding 28-point lead halfway through the final term, although the Falcons responded through two quick goals including a second to Morrow.

It was too little too late for the Falcons, with Knott’s second goal closing out the match for the Tigers, and win number 12 for the season.

Taylor, Fong, Henry Roberts and Bentley all won plenty of the football, while the spread of ten goal kickers would’ve pleased Wilson and his coaching staff.

The win was all the more impressive considering Anton Hamp was an early casualty after succumbing to illness, while the team continue to perform despite several changes in playing personnel.

Darcy Cameron and Josh Tilley were once again highly influential in the ruck, while Timm House took home the players’ player award for his terrific efforts in defence.

The Tigers head into their round-23 clash against the Royals knowing a win or draw will be enough to claim the final place in the top four.

CLAREMONT 3.0 6.3 10.3 14.7 (91)

WEST PERTH 5.2 6.4 7.6 10.7 (67)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 2 K. GILBERT, K. KNOTT, E. PANIZZA, J. RICHARDSON, 1 J. EBERT, S. LAMONT, A. FITZGERALD, B. TAYLOR, S. FONG, B. HIGGS

WEST PERTH: 2 M. FOWLER, J. MORROW, B. WILHELM, 1 J. THRUM, B. O’REGAN, S. MARUSIC, J. KIRWEN

BEST

CLAREMONT: T. HOUSE, B. TAYLOR, S. FONG, H. ROBERTS, J. RICHARDSON

WEST PERTH: B. MCNAMARA, S. MARUSIC, T. MANZONE, J. THRUM