Round 6 Preview Perth vs East Perth

Perth will be looking to put last week’s dismal display behind them when they take on East Perth this weekend.

The Demons were outclassed all over the ground against the Bulldogs, losing by 98-points in a game where the club honoured the 50^th anniversary of the 1966 premiership team.  That followed a 50-point defeat the week before against the Lions.

Remarkably Perth had more inside 50’s than South Fremantle, 48 to 47.  It was a similar case the week before with the Demons only narrowly having less inside 50’s against Subiaco, 56 to 53.
 

The Royals have started to show over the last two weeks the form that had many tipsters predicting them to finish high up the ladder.  They have beaten Peel Thunder by five goals and easily accounted for rivals West Perth by 60-points.  If East Perth 14.16 (100) had kicked straight against the Falcons 6.4 (40) they could have won by more.

Perth has not had any luck with injuries so far this season with key defender Brent Latch hobbling off with an ankle injury on the weekend.  Heading into the match against the Royals the Demons are already without ruckman Christian Eyres (knee), key defender David Johnston (broken ankle), key forward Spencer White (foot) and captain Dene White (ankle).  Promising young key forward Reid Polak who broke through for seven league games last season looks set to miss the rest of 2016 due to a broken leg.

East Perth has won the last seven games against Perth by an average winning margin of 54-points.  The Demons last victory against the Royals was back in round seven, 2013, when they kicked seven goals to one in the last quarter to win by 51-points.

In the reserves last week Perth lost by 34-points against the Bulldogs.  Lennon Marlin who was in the initial league squad last week when it was announced on Thursday did his chances of a call-up no harm, gathering 24 possessions and 9 marks.  Kurtis Chester, 19 disposals, 5 marks, 4 I50’s and Kristian Cary 16 possessions, 7 marks and 2 goals are others that could play against East Perth this weekend.

In the colts Perth kicked five goals to two in the last quarter to win by 31-points and continue their unbeaten start to 2016.

With this round commemorating ANZAC Day, anyone wearing a uniform or medals will receive free admission to the game.

This weekend also sees Brett Wolfenden play his 100^th WAFL match while Toby Gianatti will play his 50^th.

Bounce down is 2:15pm, following Reserves at 11:30am and Colts at 9am.