Tigers Record Consecutive Wins

An outstanding team performance saw Claremont’s Reserves smash Peel Thunder by 39 points at Bendigo Bank Stadium and record consecutive wins.

A four-goal-to-none second term paved the way for the 14.4 (88) to 7.7 (49) triumph, with the Tigers slamming on 11 goals to four after quarter-time.

In a game where every Tiger played their part and had an impact on the result, Eddie Simpson (18 disposals, 15 hit-outs) led the way with his efforts in the ruck against Fremantle’s Lloyd Meek and also contributed around the ground and kicked three goals, including two in the opening term.

Cooper Nitschke, who kicked two goals on debut against South Fremantle six days earlier, kicked three majors and was a constant threat with his pace and nous around goal, while Addison Dew performed strongly alongside Dylan Smallwood in defence.

Acting captain Isaac Wallace (22 disposals, six tackles) continued his outstanding form and repeatedly set the tone with his unwavering attack on the ball and won the players’ player award, while Declan McNamara laid a game-high nine tackles.

Kaiden Gilbert took seven marks and kicked three goals while Nick Winmar recorded a game-high five inside 50s.

In further good news, Jesse Laurie and Josh Bennett returned from injury, with Jordon Reid and Brett Wilson also among the inclusions.

Tom Ledger, Jeremy Goddard and James Egan (all League) went out of the team who defeated the Bulldogs, along with Jack Richardson (concussion).

Brett Milward and Alex Cohen kicked two goals apiece for Peel, who led by two points at quarter-time but were no match for the rampaging Tigers from then on.

The Tigers kicked to the northern end of the ground in the opening term against the breeze on a glorious day for football, however, goals to Cohen and James Kirby gave Peel a 12-point lead 12 minutes into the contest.

A kick-to-advantage from Wallace allowed Simpson to kick the Tigers’ first major before Rhett Lloyd made Peel pay from a 50m penalty.

Peel hit back through Milward, before a second goal to Simpson followed a strong mark from Smallwood in defence and saw the Tigers trailing by two points at quarter-time.

Coach Steven Armstrong praised the great effort against the breeze, with the Tigers +15 in uncontested marks and looking dangerous through Simpson and Reid.

Neither team were able to gain the ascendency in the opening eight minutes of the second term before Nitschke won the ball at ground level in the forward pocket, turned sharply and dribbled through the Tigers’ fourth goal to give the visitors the lead for the first time.

This sparked the Tigers into action, with Gilbert extending the lead after a perfect pass from Ben Rushforth before a great turn of speed and pass from Nitschke allowed Jacob Sideris to kick truly.

Wallace then gathered the ball brilliantly at pace at half-back and kicked long, allowing Nitschke to kick his second and gave the Tigers five goals in a row and a 22-point lead at half-time.

Reid made it six in a row early in the second half after a great turn of speed and pass from Shaquille Morton, before Laurie prevented Peel from kicking their fourth goal.

An outstanding mark from Simpson at half-back soon followed, before Gilbert kicked his second after a sweeping move from defence and pass from Sideris.

Milward (second) then kicked Peel’s first goal since the 21-minute mark of the opening term and halted a run of seven consecutive goals to the Tigers, before Nick Merritt gave the hosts consecutive majors.

However, goals to the lively Nick Yarran and Gilbert (third) saw the Tigers steady and take a 31-point lead at the final change.

Armstrong encouraged the team to keep it simple in the final term, defend first and then spread, as third goals to Simpson and Nitschke gave the Tigers a 45-point lead and resulted from relentless pressure forward of centre.

Consecutive goals to Peel proved little more than consolation as, fittingly, the Tigers had the final say through Winmar to remain on top of the ladder after six rounds.

The Tigers’ next game is at home to Perth in round seven on May 19.

Meanwhile, Claremont’s Colts suffered a disappointing 78-point loss to Peel Thunder, 21.10 (136) to 9.4 (58).

CLAREMONT 3.0 7.1 11.1 14.4 (88)

PEEL THUNDER 3.2 3.3 5.6 7.7 (49)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 3 E. Simpson, K. Gilbert, C. Nitschke, 1 N. Winmar, J. Sideris, N. Yarran, R. Lloyd, J. Reid.

PEEL THUNDER: 2 B. Milward, A. Cohen, 1 C. Thorne, N. Merritt, J. Kirby.

BEST

CLAREMONT: E. Simpson, C. Nitschke, A. Dew, I. Wallace, K. Gilbert.

PEEL THUNDER: A. Bray, J. Kirby, O. Walton, A. Cohen, K. Power.

By Dan Scamozzi