Demons Fall Short in the Wet

Perth’s quest for a winning start to the season was quashed on Saturday afternoon with a 41-point defeat at the hands of West Perth at HBF Arena.

Despite the productive 46 possession effort by recruit Clint Jones, the Demons couldn’t match the momentum the Falcons gained in the second and fourth quarters  to claim a 12.12 (84) to 6.7 (43) victory in wet conditions.

The Demons lead by a point at quarter-time and pushed their lead out to nine points at the seven-minute mark of the second term when 17-year old debutant Zac Fisher kicked his first goal in league football.

The match turned on its head when West Perth kicked three goals in a matter of minutes halfway through the second term after a 50-metre penalty was awarded to the home side.

The four goals to two second term for the Falcons saw them take an eight point lead into the long break, and they extended their lead to eighteen points at three-quarter time as the rain picked up in the second half.

Sandover medallist Aidan Tropiano picked up a cork in the first half and was unable to return in the second half.

The Demons came within six points of the Falcons in the final term after early goals to recruit Kristian Cary and youngster Cody Leggett. However, the home side’s response was all too much for the Demons as they kicked the remaining five goals of the quarter to run out winners.

Jones’ efforts included 26 disposals at half-time, as well as finishing with eight tackles. Liam McKenna and Julian Jacobs each contributed with 25 disposals, along with Fisher (23) and captain Dene White (22).

Fisher and St. Kilda recruit Spencer White each kicked two goals for Perth, who only had four goal-kickers for the day.

Perth’s defence was resolute in the trying conditions, with defenders Aaron Zucconi, Jared Bell and Brent Latch all reducing the impact of West Perth’s forwards.

Ruckman Angus Graham was the most dominant big man at the stoppages around the ground, getting the better of his West Perth opponent Chris Keunen with 41 hit outs.

The Colts’ season kicked off with a 5.13 (43) to 1.9 (15) win over the Falcons, however the Reserves fell short by eight points 7.9 (51) to 6.7 (43).

WEST PERTH              1.2       5.2       7.7       12.12 (84)

PERTH                         1.3       3.5       4.7       6.7 (43)

GOALS:

WP: A Black 2, C Keunen 2, R Kerr 1, L Meadows 1, J Leeson 1, N Rodda 1, M Duffy 1, S Potente 1, K Knott 1, A Lynch 1.

P: S White 2, Z Fisher 2, C Leggett 1, K Cary 1.

BEST:

WP: A Black, R Kerr, J Van Berlo, S Browne, A. Strijk, J Morrow

P: C Jones, L McKenna, Z Fisher, B Latch, D White, J Jacobs

INJURIES:

WP: C Keunen (knee)  P: A Tropiano (cork)

UMPIRES:

L Retallack, R Shelton, M Worobec

REPORTS:

P: T Gianatti