Tigers Struck by Thunder

Claremont (Reserves) has suffered a seven-point loss to Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium despite keeping the hosts goalless in the first quarter.

The Tigers entered the clash on the back of victories over East Fremantle and Perth, but were kept goalless themselves in the third quarter as the hosts prevailed, 10.14 (74) to 9.13. (67).

Despite trailing by 27 points at the final change, the Tigers threatened to pinch an unlikely victory in the dying stages, however, the Thunder held sway to record their first win for the season.

The Tigers had a number of dangerous options in attack, with Kaiden Gilbert kicking three goals, while Alex Manuel and Shane McAdam each kicked two.

Chaz Flint won plenty of the football and set up numerous forward entries, while Tom Willett, Francis Watson and Harrison McCracken were all busy.

Corey Yeo (League), Jackson Starcevich, Haydn Busher (League), Tom Swift, Matthew Palfrey (League) and Jack Richardson (arm) all made way from the team in round five, with McAdam, McCracken, Joshua Barrett, Ben Hitchcock (debut), Ben Higgs and Peadar Burke the inclusions.

On a glorious day for football the Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term as a strong breeze made for tricky conditions.

It took seven minutes for the Tigers to register their first score as Gilbert kicked his first goal after being found by Flint to give the side a five-point lead.

With an arm-wrestle engulfing the next 15 minutes of play, the Tigers thought they had their second goal after a snapped effort by McCracken appeared to hit the goal umpire and bounce back into play, however, “play on” was called as the visitors appeared unlucky not to have extended their lead.

That lead was eventually extended moments later when Gilbert kicked his second major and handed the Tigers a 10-point lead at quarter-time.

Coach Brad Trpchev was delighted with the effort and desire shown by his players, but at the same time implored the team to display it for the next three quarters.

A goal to Nathan Fahey gave the Thunder their first goal early in the second term, before a major to Jarrod Bowman after a turnover in the Claremont defence three minutes later saw the hosts take a one-point lead.

When Mitchell Wallace kicked truly at the 11-minute mark the Thunder had extended their lead to seven points following three consecutive goals, before Manuel steadied the ship for the Tigers with his first major.

The hosts responded through Harrison Tyler to reclaim their one-point lead at the 17-minute mark, before the Tigers added three-straight behinds, with two efforts hitting the post.

A late goal to McAdam handed the Tigers a two-point lead at half-time after a see-sawing second term, however, the Thunder had well and truly worked their way back into the contest.

This momentum was transformed into complete dominance in the third term as the hosts took complete control of the game through goals to Bowman (second), Reise Wilkey, Wallace (second) and Ben Hancock.

After adding 4.6 to 0.1, the Thunder took a 27-point lead into the final change as the Tigers looked for a way to get back into the contest after a disappointing quarter.

Trpchev demanded a lift in intensity, and when Peter Mark and Manuel (second) kicked the opening two goals of the final term the hosts’ lead was reduced to 16 points.

Goals to Kyle Shanahan and Hancock (second) saw the Thunder hit back and extend their lead to 26 points at the 13-minute mark, before a third goal to Gilbert trimmed the margin to 19 following some great work by Mark Seaby in the ruck.

When Flint goaled on the run at the 21-minute mark the Tigers were within 12 points and when McAdam kicked his second goal a minute later following a determined chase and tackle the margin was cut to one straight kick.

Despite the Tigers’ best efforts in the closing stages the Thunder held on for a tense victory, with the third quarter proving costly for the visitors.

The Tigers will now turn their attention to round seven when the side welcomes West Perth to the Show Grounds.

CLAREMONT 2.2 4.8 4.9 9.13 (67)

PEEL THUNDER 0.4 4.6 8.12 10.14 (74)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 K. GILBERT, 2 A. MANUEL, S. MCADAM, 1 C. FLINT, P. MARK

PEEL THUNDER: 2 B. HANCOCK, J. BOWMAN, M. WALLACE, 1 N. FAHEY, R. WILKEY, K. SHANAHAN, H. TYLER

BEST

CLAREMONT: C. FLINT, T. WILLETT, A. MANUEL, K. GILBERT, H. MCCRACKEN, M. SEABY, F. WATSON

PEEL THUNDER: C. GARLETT, B. HANCOCK, N. FAHEY, C.MORRIS