Tom Edwards boots three goals in loss, Pearce stakes claim as reserves’ best, Claremont lose captain Mountford

Former Royals key forward Tom Edwards’ three-goal haul was not enough to spur Swan Districts to victory after they suffered their second loss of the season going down to a determined Perth side on Saturday. Edwards struggled in front of the big sticks last week, booting 2.4 in his side’s loss to East Perth, but recaptured his goal kicking form by converting a game-high three majors from his eight disposals. However, the Demons were too good at Mineral Resources Park and snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 9.12 (66) to 9.9 (63) triumph. North Albany’s Alex Pearce has continued to put himself forward for a league berth at East Perth with another dominant performance in his side’s 27-point victory at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday. Pearce gathered a team-high 31 possessions, took six marks, and laid seven tackles in the Royals’ 15.7 (97) to 11.4 (70) win. The ball magnet leads the disposal count for the entire reserves competition with 91 disposals — averaging 30.3 — and has laid the second-most tackles with 21. Claremont made their worst start to a WAFL season since 2015 after going down to South Fremantle in a one-point thriller at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday. The Tigers sit at the bottom of the ladder after beginning 2024 0-3, and to make matters worse they will be without captain Declan Mountford, hailing from Manypeaks, who went down with a hamstring injury in the first half. The Tigers were made to rue wasteful chances against the Bulldogs after booting eight behinds in the final stanza to lose 10.10 (70) to 9.15 (69). Albany product Kieran Gowdie made a successful first league appearance for the season, gathering 10 disposals, seven hit-outs and a goal, while Borden-raised Anthony Davis battled hard throughout the match, collecting 13 touches and laying two strong tackles. Davis was forced to switch to the No.68 jersey after his usual No.18 jumper was ripped after a heated scuffle during the match. The Tigers’ reserves side, which features a strong contingent of Great Southern talent, continued their rich vein of form with their third straight win to start the campaign. Coen Jackman (Railways), Tyron Smallwood (Albany), Talon Delacey (North Albany) and Tristan Ballard (Mt Barker) all played key hands in the Tigers’ 10.10 (70) to 9.12 (66) victory. Delacey, Jackman, and Smallwood were dominant inside the forward 50, each finishing with two majors. Former North Albany star Jacob Blight (18 disposals and 10 marks) was named in Peel Thunder’s best after helping his side to a 10.9 (69) to 8.5 (53) win on Saturday.