Tigers Hold Off Demons

Claremont (Reserves) has survived a Perth fightback to record a 10 point victory at Lathlain Park and move into fifth position on the ladder.

Despite leading by 30 points at the final change, four goals to one by the Demons in the fourth term provided the Tigers with some nervous moments, however, the visitors held on to prevail 14.11 (95) to 13.7 (85).

Mitchell Andrews continued his stellar form as he combined forward and ruck duties to fine effect, with the big man tallying 24 disposals, 10 marks, 29 hit outs and kicking five goals.

Other Tigers to win plenty of the football included Isaac Baum, as well as the returning Tom Swift, Max Bentley and Jack Richardson.

Kaiden Gilbert worked well in tandem with Andrews as he won 20 hit outs and kicked two goals, while Tom Gajewski made the most of his debut by winning 14 disposals and kicking two majors.

Alex Manuel may not have added his name to the goal kicking list, however, the forward’s fine work up the field resulted in numerous inside 50m entries for the visitors, with the hard-working Tiger involved in several scoring plays.

The Demons threatened the Tigers late in the game mainly on the back of Brennan Stack’s four-goal effort, while the hosts were also well served by Mitchell Browne and an inaccurate Callum Collard (1.3), while Hayden Tanner and Callum Walley each kicked two goals.

With Swift, Bentley, Richardson, Gajewski, and Mark Mullaly all coming into the team who narrowly lost to Peel Thunder in round 10, Cameron Palmer, Darryl Burke, Nicholas Barrow, Ben Hitchcock and Reece Maxwell all made way.

With the Tigers kicking to the southern end in the opening term with the aid of a slight breeze, Andrews lined up at full-forward while Gilbert occupied the ruck.

After an even nine minutes of play between both teams on a perfect day for football, Andrews kicked the opening goal of the game after a kick to advantage by Harrison McCracken and gave the Tigers a seven-point lead.

That lead was extended to 12 points eight minutes later after Steven Edwards took advantage of winning a free kick as the Tigers worked their way on top, before another major to Andrews (second) following a strong mark from a kick forward by Richardson gave the visitors an 18-point buffer at quarter-time after the visitors held the hosts goalless.

With Swift and Edwards busy through the middle and Andrews and Gilbert combining well, coach Brad Trpchev paid tribute to the Tigers’ ball movement from half-back as well as some good tackling and intensity, however, Chaz Flint would take no further part in the game after suffering an early injury.

Early goals to Andrews (third) and Keegan Knott saw the Tigers take a 30-point lead six minutes into the second term, before Collard registered the Demons’ first major at the ten-minute mark.

In what proved to be a badly-needed spark for the hosts, further goals to Brayden Andrews, Browne, Stack, Rowan Garlett and Tanner (two) saw the Demons take an eight-point lead at half-time following a scintillating burst which left the Tigers in their wake and searching for a way to get back into the contest.

With the Tigers needing a response, Josh Barrett kicked truly after winning himself a free kick before a major to Bentley saw the visitors reclaim the lead four minutes into the third term.

A goal to Walley saw the Demons edge their noses in front once again, before Gilbert responded for the Tigers following a long kick by Swift.

An inspiring chase and tackle by Jarrad Doney laid the platform for the Tigers to push on as Gajewski kicked his first major, before Barrett and Gilbert grabbed their second goals after some fantastic chains of team play.

The result was a 23-point lead to the Tigers, before Stack grabbed his second goal after a turnover in the Claremont defence.

Late goals to Andrews (fourth) and Gajewski (second) sandwiched a great chase and tackle by the prominent Manuel and saw the Tigers take a 30-point lead into the final change.

Trpchev highlighted Matthew Palfrey’s efforts and run from defence to the playing group, while Baum’s quarter was something to behold after the midfielder overcame a heavy bump to win several clearances and drive the Tigers forward.

A fifth goal to Andrews five minutes into the final term saw the Tigers out to a commanding 36-point lead as a big win beckoned, however, Perth had other ideas and were not done with just yet.

Four consecutive goals, including two to Stack threatened to pinch the game for the hosts as they cut into the Tigers’ lead, however, the visitors steadied and held on for a narrow win on the back of a dominant eight-goal-to-two third term.

The Tigers will now turn their attention to round 13 and a home clash against second-placed Subiaco at the Showgrounds.

CLAREMONT 3.2 5.7 13.9 14.11 (95)

PERTH 0.3 7.3 9.3 13.7 (85)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 5 M. ANDREWS, 2 K. GILBERT, T. GAJEWSKI, J. BARRETT, 1 S. EDWARDS, M. BENTLEY, K. KNOTT

PERTH: 4 B. STACK, 2 C. WALLEY, H. TANNER, 1 C. COLLARD, M. BROWNE, R. GARLETT, B. BORRETT, B. ANDREWS

BEST

CLAREMONT: M. ANDREWS, I. BAUM, A. MANUEL, T. SWIFT, K. GILBERT, S. EDWARDS

PERTH: B. STACK, M. BROWNE, C. COLLARD