Tigers Maul Lions

by Dan Scamozzi

Claremont (Reserves) have risen to third position on the ladder after demolishing Subiaco by 83 points at the Showgrounds last Saturday.

The 17.13 (115) to 4.8 (32) win was set up by a five-goal-to-nil first term, and was built on the back of nine individual goal kickers and a host of winners across the board.

Keifer Yu and Jack Beeck responded to their omissions from the League side with 38 disposals and four goals respectively, while Ashley Fitzgerald kicked three.

Ian Rowe and Morgan Davies were terrific contributors across Claremont’s defence, while Toby Plant and Justin Speed (11 tackles) provided grunt and won plenty of the ball in midfield.

Meanwhile, Harrison Court and Alex Manuel worked tirelessly and each kicked two goals along with Gerrick Weedon.

Subiaco was best served by Braden Fimmano and Jeremy Woodley (two goals), but lacked ball winners and options in attack.

Compounding the Lions’ woes was a second-quarter injury to ruckman David Madut, which forced him to be taken from the field on a stretcher.

With Yu, Hugo Breakey, Beeck, Eddie Simpson, Ben Musitano and Fitzgerald replacing John Williams (League), Tom Shanahan (League), Zac Langdon, Lawrence Evans (knee), Mason Whitehead and Matthew Ehlers from the team who lost to South Fremantle in round eight, an early goal on the run to Beeck gave the Tigers an ideal start and seven-point lead.

A pair of goals to Manuel and Fitzgerald then gave Claremont five goals for the term and a 31-point lead at quarter-time on the back of some scintillating and dominant play.

Early goals to Beeck (second) and Yu gave Claremont a quick start to the second term and stretched the lead to 43 points, before a pinpoint pass by Manuel allowed Weedon to kick his first major.

Play was then halted as Madut was assisted from the field after bravely taking a pack-mark, before the resulting kick was converted by Hayden Yarran for Subiaco’s first goal.

Beeck then replied with his third and Claremont’s ninth goal to give the Tigers a 48-point lead at half-time.

Ben Higgs ensured Claremont got a fast start to the third term by kicking truly after a kick-to-advantage by Manuel, before Marlon Johns responded with Subiaco’s second goal.

Goals to Weedon (second) and Davies either side of a major to Woodley gave Claremont a commanding 55-point lead, before Beeck kicked his fourth major.

Late goals to Court, Musitano and Fitzgerald (third) gave Claremont seven for the term and saw the side turn for home with an 83-point lead.

Second goals to Woodley and Court were the only notable outcomes in a dour final term, with the Tigers recording their fifth win for the season.

Claremont will now turn its attention to East Fremantle at the Showgrounds in round 10.

Meanwhile, Claremont thumped Subiaco by 86 points in the Colts, 19.17 (131) to 7.3 (45).

CLAREMONT 5.3 9.3 16.7 17.13 (115)

SUBIACO 0.2 1.3 3.3 4.8 (32)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 J. BEECK, 3 A. FITZGERALD, 2 G. WEEDON, A. MANUEL, H. COURT, 1 B. HIGGS, K. YU, B. MUSITANO, M. DAVIES.

SUBIACO: 2 J. WOODLEY, 1 M. JOHNS, H. YARRAN.

BEST

CLAREMONT: K. YU, H. COURT, I. ROWE, J. BEECK, J. SPEED, M. DAVIES.

SUBIACO: B. FIMMANO, J. WOODLEY, W. FETHERSTONHAUGH.