Round 15 Preview Perth vs Claremont

After a hard-fought 11-point win against East Fremantle last week, Perth travels to the Showgrounds this Saturday where they will take on Claremont.

Against the Sharks the Demons were lead by Cody Leggett who kicked a career best seven goals, Aidan Tropiano (33 possessions, 14 tackles), Clint Jones (30, nine tackles), Liam McKenna and Julian Jacobs (both with 27, eight marks) who all had a big impact on the contest.

The result was even more impressive when the team lost ruckman Angus Graham within the first five minutes to a finger injury in his right hand and captain Dene White who limped off in the opening quarter with a lower back complaint.

In Graham’s absence Sam Garstone (16 games) stepped up in the ruck collecting 20 disposals, seven marks and 28 hitouts.

On his return to the league team Brennan Stack also proved crucial kicking three second half goals including the sealer and taking a mark of the year contender in the dying minutes of the game.

The Tigers started strongly against the Lions last week, leading by 23-points at quarter time but faded as the game went on and eventually went down by 26 points.

Back in round three when these two teams last met it was Perth that ran out victors by 17 points.

In the reserves the Demons kicked six goals to one in the last quarter to win their third game of the season by 13-points while Claremont recorded a 21-point victory over Subiaco.

Kieran Hug (24 possessions, nine tackles, one goal), Corey Byrne (21, five tackles, two goals), Taran Etto (18, 11 tackles) and Jacob Payne (18, five marks, nine 150’s, one goal) all did their cases of a league call up no harm with strong performances.

If Graham is not able to get up for the clash against the Tigers then Todd Stevenson (14 disposals, seven marks, four tackles, 19 hitouts, one goal) could possibly come into the league team as a direct replacement for the injured ruckman.

In positive news for Perth supporters Spencer White returned last week and collected 15 possessions, six marks, six I50’s and kicked two goals in the reserves.

In the colts the Demons recorded their eleventh win of the season defeating East Fremantle by 35-points while Claremont defeated the Lions by 24 points.

Bounce down is 2:15pm, following Reserves at 11:30am and Colts at 9:00am.