Heavy defeats haven’t dampened the spirits of Claremont who chase first win since 2023

Claremont has lost its opening three games by an average margin of more than 200 points but as coach Nathan Senior reveals his side is “heading in the right direction”. See his thoughts.

You would think losing by an average of 210 points to start the first three rounds of a footy season would break the back of any club but not Claremont according to coach Nathan Senior.

The Magpies had one of the toughest starts the 2025 season, taking on last years premiers, premiership contender Sorell and finals hopeful Dodges Ferry in the first three weeks.

Senior said despite the heavy defeats, his side is showing improvements.

“I have told the players not to look at the scoreboard and don’t get me wrong that is tough to do but just to focus on improving each week,” Senior said.

“And we have shown improvements with our pressure and fitness and just growth as the players continue to gel.

“That is the biggest thing, the boys becoming closer and that is how will get the win we are chasing.”

Claremont Magpies new head coach Nathan Senior (left) believes his side is not far away from claiming its first win this season. Picture: Supplied

The Magpies kicked their highest score as a club, 8.8 (56) since round 14 last season when they lost by 68-points to Dodges Ferry where they kicked 9.7 (61).

“The boys were pretty pumped after kicking five goals in the first quarter, they were up and about,” Senior said.

“Then in the second quarter they were pretty flat after what happened but then they lifted again in the third quarter.

“It’s funny the Dodges Ferry coaches came to me after the game and said that the scoreboard doesn’t show a true score with how much pressure their players felt.

“We heard similar things from Sorell and Cygnet as well and to hear that, it shows that we are heading in the right direction.

“The boys know where we need to be after playing against these three teams and next week isn’t any easier.”

Senior will head back to Lindisfarne, a club which he is a life member at, having played most of his career for the Two Blues.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Magpies when they take on fellow winless teams New Norfolk and Hobart in rounds five and seven.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking a little further ahead to see when our first win could possibly come,” Senior said.

“But we are just focused on week to week, and we now look to Lindisfarne and seeing improvement from this week’s game to next week.

“The boys are having some fun with me asking if I will walk into the right change room when I get there and that is what we are trying to implement in the club, that banter and fun among the group.

“The boys just need to put four quarters together and when that does happen we know the win will come.

“We have seen what it is like when we put a couple of quarters together, now we just need to make sure we put the remainder of the game together.

“And we will get there, I will show the boys footage from the weekend when we review the game about what we did right and where we went wrong.

“They are pretty good at taking on the feedback and knowing what we need to do to get that win, it doesn’t feel far away at all.”