Crossword Genius

Applause about a first triumph but you really can’t trust them (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cheaters

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'you really can't trust them' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'applause about a first triumph but' is the wordplay.
'applause' becomes 'cheer'.
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'first triumph' becomes 't' (sst letter of 'triumph').
'but' becomes 's' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a'+'t'='at'
'cheer' going around 'at' is 'cheater'.
'cheater'+'s'='CHEATERS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cheaters that I've seen before include "who flout the rules" , "Teachers for swindlers" , "Deceivers, swindlers" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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