By Ken Casellas

Powerful key position player Steve Miller provided faithful Claremont fans with plenty to enthuse over on a disappointing day at Leederville Oval on Saturday when he returned to action after an absence of 223 days.

He has recovered from severe bone bruising and a fracture in his left knee, and he took an important step towards returning to league football when he lined up at full-forward for the Tigers reserves side against Subiaco.

Since he was injured early in the league final-round match against East Fremantle on September 10 the 22-year-old Miller has worked diligently towards his recovery, and he was in the thick of the action from the start of Saturday’s contest, marking passes from Max Mumme and Kendyll Blurton early in the opening quarter.

He then snapped a behind after a bounce-down in the goal square, and his excellent low short pass to Bailey Bennett was executed perfectly. He then took a turn in the ruck and immediately gained a centre clearance which resulted in Dylan Mulligan taking a strong mark and kicking a goal from close range.

Soon after that winger Ben Clarke marked a Subiaco clearing kick and he booted a goal as the siren was sounding for quarter-time which saw Claremont leading, 3.3 to 2.3. But Subiaco took control in the second term and went on to record a comfortable victory, 12.11 to 8.13.

Declan Mountford, in his second appearance in the reserves side, after recovering from shoulder and knee surgery, was outstanding, initially in defence and then in the centre. He had a match high number of contested possessions (12) and finished with four marks, 15 kicks, six clearances, six handpasses and four tackles. He will be a most welcome inclusion in the league side for the match against the West Coast at Revo Fitness Stadium next Sunday.

Miller gave an example of his skill in the final quarter when he cleverly tapped the ball on to Felix Rogers, who snapped a goal, his fourth for the match.

It was heartening to watch Coen Jackman, in his second consecutive match for the reserves after recovering from surgery to his left shoulder. He started in a forward pocket before showing good form in the ruck duels.

Another highly promising young ruckman in Kieran Gowdie is getting close to playing his first match this season. He has recovered well from knee surgery, and he has worked extremely hard in his rehabilitation.

Tim House, a key forward who is also effective when used in defence, is recovering from shoulder surgery, while the versatile Morgan Davies is also progressing well after an interrupted pre-season.

Details of Saturday’s reserves match:

Subiaco 12.11 (83) beat Claremont 8.13 (61).

Scorers---SUBIACO: J. Faraone 4.2; J. Mayo 3.2; K. Franceschini 2.0; K. Eaton 1.4; T. Kennedy, K. Stainsby 1.0; C. Henderson 0.2; 1pt forced. CLAREMONT: F. Rogers 4.1; R. Williams-Jolley 1.1; B. Clarke, G. Graham, D. Mulligan 1.0; S. Miller 0.3; S. Gilbey, F. Moloney 0.2; B. Bennett, K. Blurton, R. Charles 0.1; 1pt forced.

Best---SUBIACO: J. Faraone, C. Patterson, C. Robinson, A. Clinch, C. Hitchcock, J. Mayo, T. Kennedy. CLAREMONT: D. Mountford, B. Bennett, F. Rogers, S. Miller, M. Barron, S. Williams, S. Gilbey.