ROUND 3: PFC v SDFC MATCH REVIEW

Perth have started the 2019 season on fire, holding off Swan Districts late to win by nine points at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday to make it three straight wins to start the 2019 season.

In the Round 3 match, it took less than two minutes for Cody Ninyette to kick the first goal of the game. Added another seven minutes later in his first league appearance of the season before he added a third nearing time-on of the first term.

Shaun Smith and Michael Bennell then kicked goals also for Perth before quarter-time and the Demons were 30 points to the good at the first change.

Perth's lead then continued to balloon to start the second quarter with goals to Lachlan Dennis and Matt Rogers. The Demons were up by as much as 40 points before Swans finally got their first goal of the game at the 18-minute mark.

Cipro added another before half-time to keep the Black Ducks in touch to a degree, with the Demons still leading by 26 points.

Perth restored its 31-point lead to start the third quarter thanks to a goal to Kristian Cary, but Swan Districts was turning around momentum in general play and was looking more dangerous.

Swans just couldn’t convert in front of goal but third quarter goals to Warrick Wilson and Leigh Kohlmann saw the home side only behind 16 points at three quarter-time despite having 18 scoring shots to just 14 from the Demons.

Swans were peppering the goals to start the final term but could only manage three behinds until Kohlmann marked and converted his second goal of the day and suddenly it was a seven-point ball game.

Rogers stepped up to goal for Perth in response to put the Demons back up by 14, but Swans weren’t going away. Kohlmann booted his third and then Cipro did the same and all of a sudden at the 16-minute mark, the Black Ducks were within three points.

Swans had all the momentum which continued when Corey Gault kicked truly at the 23-minute mark to give them the lead.

But Perth would have the final say with the last two goals of the contest from Brent Edmonds and Sam Garstone to secure the nine-point victory.

That keeps the Demons unbeaten after three games this season and Swans winless following the opening three rounds.

Cody Ninyette kicked all three of his goals for Perth in the opening quarter but he did finish the game with 16 possessions, seven marks and four tackles. Matthew Rogers kicked two goals against his old side.

Clint Jones played most of the game on the wing for Perth and racked up 32 possessions while captain Corey Yeo collected 27 disposals, Brant Colledge 26, Corey Byrne 24, Matthew Taylor 24, Michael Sinclair 23 and Cody Leggett 19 to go with 12 tackles.

Christian Eyres battled hard against both Corey Gault and Nathan Blakely in the ruck ending up with 18 touches, 28 hit outs and four tackles.