WAFL 2024: Swan Districts star Aidan Clarke boots goal in dying moments to seal win over Claremont Tigers

Swan Districts gun Aidan Clarke booted a clutch goal in the dying moments to extend his side’s winning streak to seven, squeaking past Claremont in a thriller. A draw looked likely at Bassendean Oval on Saturday after Claremont’s Louis Passera took what looked like a match-saving mark, but Swans would regain possession back, resulting in Clarke kicking the vital score and the side ultimately going on to win 12.10 (82) to 10.15 (75). The red-hot team’s endeavour and constant pressuring in the fourth was the determining factor in halving contests and winning critical contests, as well as a gut-running herculean performance from skipper Jesse Turner and four goals by spearhead Leigh Kohlmann. Swans back six were cool as cucumbers when the ball came their way, with William Collins, Brenton Hilton, Lewis Tester, veteran Tony Notte, and Jake Pasini showing poise. And tireless midfielders Jye Chalcraft (33 disposals), Nik Rokahr (32 touches), were splendid after a quiet opening term, with Turner machine running a factor (26 disposals, two goals), and Clarke (25 touches) brilliant. For Claremont, Callan England (31 disposals, a goal) worked his backside off all contest, while Jye Bolton (28 touches, a goal), and Bailey Rogers (26 disposals) had important impacts around the contest. In a match-up of high stakes, both sides began with numerous heat around stoppages applying repeated tackles to lock the ball. Claremont booted the contest’s opening two goals through the dangerous Alec Waterman and small forward Talon Delacey, with the visitors’ precision entering their forward half a highlight. Tigers half-back Manguru Frederick nearly pulled off a brilliant running bounce taking four bounces through the middle, only to spray his kick to the right. Swans were having difficulty building linking passages with the Tigers continuing to pressure the home side into turnovers, with Tigers centre-half Anthony Davis the catalyst intercepting a couple of exit kicks, one of which he found winger Sam Alvarez for a running goal. Kohlmann would settle the home side opening the goal-scoring account 12 minutes in with a ripping kick from the right boundary fence. The veteran was getting the better of Claremont full-back Jack Maibaum reading the flight of the ball with his teammates supplying him first-class deliveries. Former North Melbourne player Declan Mountford would give the visitors momentum heading into quarter-time nailing a long 49 metre set shot putting the Tigers 13 points ahead. Mature-aged player, Kristian Caporn, coming in for Jesse Glass-McCasker (groin), gave the Swans the dream start in the opening minute of the second, flushing a mammoth 50-metre kick with his teammates converging to congratulate him. It didn’t deter from the momentum Claremont had built late in the opening term, as their classy ball use to select the right targets was the separating difference as Swans were a tad off often feeling the pressure. When superstar Bolton goaled the Tigers were 27 points ahead, booting four of the last five goals. But Swans leaders would will themselves into the game after a subdued first term, with Aidan Clarke and 150th gamer and co-captain Jesse Turner booting consecutive goals to close the margin to 15 points at half-time. Having been contained for general play, Swans began to wrestle momentum around stoppages and forward territory as the mercurial Thomas Edwards got on the scoreboard and provided a marvellous smother. Alvarez, a key component, found space all by himself in the right forward pocket, putting halt to four straight Swans majors. But it deterred their parochial Bassendean Oval as backman William Collins delivered the highlight of the third term getting a Jackson McLachlan handball outside 50, before running to 49 and launching a rocket goal.