Demons notch up first win in spirited fashion

The Demons have at last been rewarded for their effort and endeavour, defeating East Fremantle by 13-points on Saturday afternoon in front of a loyal home crowd at Lathlain Park.

Both sides went into the round four clash winless and it was the Demons who got on top early, kicking four goals to East Fremantle's three in the opening term.

Perth remained in control of the match for the rest of the afternoon, with the young side responding to every challenge the Sharks dealt them.

The second and third quarters were similar to the first, with Perth outscoring the Sharks four goals to three in both.

Down by 19-points at the final change, East Fremantle threw everything they had at Perth in the fourth term in a bid to overrun the young Demons.

However Perth, led by their captain Clint Jones who collected a game high 42-disposals, resonded to the challenge and grinded out a spirited victory.

Young forward Sam Garstone was Perth's best, kicking four goals from 16 posessions and seven marks.

Garstone, 21, is enjoying a breakout start to the season and says Saturday's win brought relief to the group.

"There was a lot of relief and excitement after getting the first win cause it's been coming for a few weeks," Garstone says.

"Round one and two we were real close against Swans and Subi but we probably just couldn't get the job done in the last quarter with a few players going down at half time."

Garstone says he is finally feeling settled in a position after spending time down back, in the ruck and up forward.

"I've been floating around just filling in spots the last few years but I feel pretty comfortable up forward now," Garstone says.

Christian Eyres was again one of Perth's best, amassing 18 disposals and 25 hit-outs.

Eyres is another Demon enjoying a breakout start to season 2017, relishing his role as the number one ruckman.

Debutant John Levien performed strongly in his first game at league level, restricting the dangerous Brett Peake to just eight disposals and two goals.

Garstone says Levien was brought in to the side for his defensive pressure and did not disappoint.

"Johnny was brought in for his physicality and his strength and his hard efforts and we think he did his job," Garstone says.

The Demons have jumped to sixth on the WAFL ladder following the weekend's win.

Perth have the bye this week before a round six clash with the winless East Perth at Leederville Oval.

Read the WAFL Match Report HERE

PERTH                          4.3    8.6    12.9   16.12    (108)
EAST FREMANTLE        3.2    6.7    9.8     14.11    (95)

Goals: Garstone 4; White, Narrier 2; Edmonds, McFarlane, Ninyette, Chester, Stack, Byrne, Wilkins, Morisey.
Best: Garstone, Jones, Eyres, Levien, Morisey

Prior to the league side recording their first win for the season on Saturday, Perth's Development side added a third win to their 2017 campaign.

Perth defeated the Sharks by 45-points and move to third on the Development ladder.

After a tight first quarter where both sides managed only a goal each, Perth put their foot down and kicked 18 goals in the final three quarters.

Marshall Jones was outstanding, kicking five goals from 25 posessions.

Young gun Cody Kickett, who is still eligible to play colts, collected 24 disposals and kicked one major.

Taran Etto continues to put his hand up for senior selection, putting in another strong performance at Development level.

Etto finished with 20 posessions and was one of Perth's best.

Blake Johnson also put his hand up to get back in the league side, booting three majors.

Callum Papertalk and Marshall Jones top the Development leading goalkickers list with 12 goals each thus far this season.

PERTH                          1.0    7.2    12.3     19.6      (120)
EAST FREMANTLE        1.5    4.7    8.11     10.15    (75)

Goals: Jones 5; Johnson 3; Cary, Smith, Ansey, Papertalk 2; Piggott, Kickett, Henderson 1
Best: Jones, Kickett, Etto, Sutherland, Johnson

Earlier, Perth colts went down to East Fremantle by 55-points.

Simon Hayward had a game high 14 tackles and was one of Perth's better players.

Brodey Eades, Caelen Bennell and Luke English also performed strongly for the Demons.

Chilton Yarran (jnr) and Ian Hill finished with two goals each.

PERTH                          1.3    3.6    5.6       7.6      (48)
EAST FREMANTLE        4.1    7.3    11.6    16.7    (103)

Goals: Yarran, Hill 2; Bennell, John, Taylor 1
Best: Hayward, Eades, Bennell, English, French