By Daniel Scamozzi

Claremont’s Reserves moved two wins clear at the top of the ladder after recording a stirring four-point victory against Subiaco at Claremont Oval in round 17, with the outstanding performance from a skilful defender the highlight of the 12.10 (82) to 11.12 (78) triumph.

Seven days after his impressive debut against East Perth, 17-year-old Jordan Clark (22 disposals) starred for the Tigers with his superb reading of the play, marking, spoiling and composure, and deservedly won the players’ player award.

Acting captain Jacob Sideris (team-high 28 disposals) also played a crucial role in the win and kicked the goal of the game midway through the final term when he brilliantly picked the ball up off the ground with one hand while running at pace before sending it straight over the goal umpire’s hat.

Ruckman Jeremy Goddard (35 hit-outs), forward Tyron Smallwood (six marks, team-high three goals) and midfielder Bailey Bennett (one goal), who recorded team-high totals of eight tackles and five inside 50s, also performed strongly as the Tigers recorded their fourth consecutive win and 11^th of the season.

Despite trailing at every change and recording 28 fewer inside 50s and one less scoring shot, a never-give-in attitude resulted in the Tigers kicking four goals to two in the final term, with the team adhering to coach Steven Armstrong’s three-quarter-time message to “win the territory and take the game on.”

Nick Winmar, Isaac Wallace and Jake Stergiou all returned from injury and came into the team that defeated East Perth at the same venue in round 16, as the Tigers elected to kick to the southern end of the ground in the opening term.

However, three goals to nil in the opening 10 minutes gave the Lions a fast start and had the Tigers on the back foot, despite Clark already impressing and taking a great mark.

Brett Wilson was rewarded for his hard running when he kicked the Tigers’ first goal after being found by Eddie Simpson, before the Lions hit back with two more goals.

Some more hard running, this time from the returning Stergiou, followed a great spoil from Clark in defence and allowed Nic Bucknall to kick the Tigers’ second major before a goal from Smallwood on the quarter-time siren had the hosts trailing by 14 points at the first change.

Armstrong praised the great finish to the term and implored the team to carry it on in the second, as Simpson gave the Tigers three consecutive goals after a rampaging Jacob Orr ferociously attacked the ball at half-back and delivered a sizzling pass to Ben Rushforth at half-forward.

Declan McNamara then levelled the scores after kicking the Tigers’ fifth major, before Christian Martin kicked his second goal for the Lions.

A late goal to Smallwood (second) resulted from a searching pass from Winmar and pulled the Tigers to within just one point of the Lions at half-time, before the visitors struck first in the second half through Ethan Burnett.

The Tigers replied through goals to Nicholas Allan and Smallwood (third) to take the lead for the first time, before the Lions hit back with two late majors to take an eight-point lead at the final change.

A second goal to Burnett extended it to 14 early in the final term, before a second to Allan and Sideris’ brilliance pulled the Tigers to within two points.

Rhett Lloyd then hurt his left knee in front of the interchange and was helped from the field, before Bennett made the Lions pay from a 50m penalty and reclaimed the lead for the Tigers, with a dashing run from Clark setting up the goal.

Wilson then snapped the Tigers’ 12^th major after making the Lions pay for a deliberate rushed behind, before a second to Subiaco’s Ray Daniels set up a tense finish.

However, the resolute Tigers wouldn’t be denied, and held on to record a brilliant win ahead of their final bye for the home-and-away season in round 18.

They then face Perth at Lathlain Park in round 19.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts suffered a 13-point defeat against Subiaco, 9.9 (63) to 7.8 (50).

CLAREMONT 3.2 6.6 8.9 12.10 (82)

SUBIACO 5.4 6.7 9.11 11.12 (78)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 T. Smallwood, 2 B. Wilson, N. Allan, 1 B. Bennett, J. Sideris, E. Simpson, D. McNamara, N. Bucknall.

SUBIACO: 3 C. Martin 2 R. Daniels, E. Burnett, 1 A. Cockie, S. Bradley, J. Eccles, A. Breman.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Clark, J. Sideris, J. Goddard, T. Smallwood, B. Bennett.

SUBIACO: A. Cockie, M. Lawrence, T. Cleggett, D. Ehlers, J. Joyce.