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WAFL 2022: Swan Districts coach Adam Pickering says some of Claremont’s treatment of Jesse Turner was ‘unfair’

Headshot of Mitchell Woodcock
Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
Things got heated between Claremont and Swan Districts regulary in their clash on Saturday.
Camera IconThings got heated between Claremont and Swan Districts regulary in their clash on Saturday. Credit: Michael O'Brien

Swan Districts coach Adam Pickering says star midfielder Jesse Turner was unfairly targeted off the ball by a ruthless Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

Pickering also took responsibility for the Swans’ poor first half, with the Tigers kicking five unanswered goals from late in the first term until just before half-time.

This patch would be the difference in the contest, with Swan Districts bundled out of the top five after the 10.12 (72) to 9.9 (63) defeat.

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The story of the game was the physicality of the Tigers towards Sandover fancy Turner, with the wingman tagged by Claremont co-captain Declan Mountford, who had plenty of help from his teammates.

“You always want to see them (the umpires) protect your players. I love my guys and don’t want to see them get whacked off the ball unfairly,” Pickering said.

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“And some of that I think was (unfair), that’s just my opinion and some of it goes missing because the umpires are watching the game, there’s so much going on. It’s such a hard job.

“It’s also part of the growth for Jesse as well. If you want to be the number one possession winner in the competition, you’re going to get some attention. He’s fine, he’s sore... it’s part and parcel of paying the pointy end of the season.”

Swan Districts midfielder Jesse Turner tackles Claremont forward Alex Manuel.
Camera IconSwan Districts midfielder Jesse Turner tackles Claremont forward Alex Manuel. Credit: Michael O'Brien

A lack of key position players forced Pickering to reshuffle his side, with leading goalkicker Chris Jones sent into defence, while defender Brenton Hilton (four hit-outs) and key forward Brayden Noble (16) shared the ruck duty in the absence of injured big man Matt Germs.

The Swans were smashed in the hit-out count 55-20 and at the clearances 42-21, with Tigers ruck duo Oliver Eastland (32 hit-outs) and Kieran Gowdie (23) giving midfielders Ben Edwards (34 disposals and nine clearances) and Bailey Rogers (37 and eight) plenty of first use.

Pickering described the first half as “diabolical”, but conceded they didn’t have the cavalry to compete with the Tigers’ talls.

Claremont star Bailey Rogers celebrates a goal.
Camera IconClaremont star Bailey Rogers celebrates a goal. Credit: Michael O'Brien

“When you play against teams that defend the ground really well, which most of the top five teams do, you need a get-out kick down the line,” Pickering said.

“You’re trying to patch things up a bit, to be honest, but we had a plan in place and it didn’t work. That’s my fault, for the first half especially.”

Pickering is hopeful forward Jesse Palmer (knee), defender Will Collins (hamstring), utility Nathan Ireland (hamstring) and co-captain Brandon Erceg (back) will return after the bye, while Germs (knee) is set to come back before the finals.

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