Tigers Blown Away by Swans

Claremont (Reserves) have suffered a thumping 78-point loss to Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval as a stuttering season draws to a close for the Tigers.

Despite Swans registering 23 more scoring shots, some wayward kicking flattered the Tigers on the scoreboard as the hosts prevailed 16.21 (117) to 5.9 (39).

The Tigers remain in sixth position on the ladder despite the heavy defeat while Swans remain in second spot but have a bye in the final round.

Matt Goyder, Ben Higgs, Tom Willett, Isaac Baum and Chaz Flint all won plenty of the football for Claremont, while Ryan Van Beek and Isovaine Huddlestone made their debuts.

Shane McAdam returned for his first game at any level since round 19 but fell ill early in the match and was unable to return, while Lachlan Davey and Darcy Cameron returned to the team after being omitted from League ranks.

Jacob Burnham, David McKay and Todd Banfield were all prolific for Swans, while Steven Wityk kicked four goals and Nelson Ansey kicked three.

With Willett lining up in the centre to add some grunt to the Tigers’ midfield, an early goal to Cameron provided the perfect start to the game for Claremont after the big man snapped truly, before Ansey responded with his first major after some hesitant play by Davey in defence.

A goal to Dino Ross saw Swans take a 10-point lead, before Davey was assisted from the field after sustaining a leg injury and would not return.

Despite the best efforts of Baum and Matthew Palfrey, the Tigers found themselves trailing by 10 points at the first change as Burnham and McKay were running amok for the hosts.

Claremont coach Brad Trpchev implored the Tigers to “improve the basics” but was happy with his side’s effort in clearances.

Early goals to Wityk and Ansey (second) saw the hosts out to a 22-point lead in the second term, before Bronson Harry responded for the Tigers.

With Banfield busy for Swans, a great tackle by Huddlestone proved inspirational for the Tigers, however, goals to Tony Kalimeris and Warrick Wilson saw the hosts take a 35-point lead at half-time.

With the Tigers two players down on the interchange, Kaiden Gilbert moved to full-forward and Cameron took first ruck duties for the second half, however, a second goal to Wityk saw Swans extend their lead to 39 points.

After riding a bump and kicking truly, Gilbert kicked the Tigers’ third major and trimmed Swans’ lead to 35 points, before Wityk added a third and Callan Cranenburgh added his name to the goal kickers list.

A goal to the hard-working Willett following a intercept mark and pass by Keegan Knott saw the Tigers respond, before late majors to Kalimeris (second) and Ansey (third) saw the hosts take a 54-point lead in to three-quarter time.

With pride on the line for the Tigers despite their numerical disadvantage on the bench, the move forward of Higgs payed dividends as the flexible Tiger kicked truly after consecutive behinds and cut Swans’ lead to 47 points.

Despite the best efforts of Higgs who was marking seemingly everything that was coming his way, Swans would finish the match in ominous form as majors to Mason Hislop (two), Kurt Tanner, Roderick Manton and a fourth to Wityk put the icing on their cake and condemned the Tigers to their 12^th loss for the season.

The Tigers will now turn their attention to West Perth at HBF Arena in the final round, while Swans will have the week off ahead of their finals campaign.

CLAREMONT 1.1 2.2 4.4 5.9 (39)

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.5 6.13 11.16 16.21 (117)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 1 T. WILLETT, B. HARRY, B. HIGGS, K. GILBERT, D. CAMERON

SWAN DISTRICTS: 4 S. WITYK, 3 N. ANSEY, 2 M. HISLOP, T. KALIMERIS, 1 D. ROSS, K. TANNER, W. WILSON, C. CRANENBURGH, R. MANTON

BEST

CLAREMONT: B. HIGGS, T. WILLETT, M. GOYDER, I. BAUM, S. BEVAN

SWAN DISTRICTS: T. BANFIELD, J. DANIELS, J. BURNHAM, S. WITYK, N. ANSEY