DEMONS PUT BITE ON THE BULLDOGS

Article By Mark Thornber

Photos By Gemma Boys

Round 3, Perth v South Fremantle

At Brownes Stadium, Saturday March 30 2013

Perth                           1.3        7.7       11.7      16.9      105

South Fremantle        4.4       5.6       9.7       14.8      92

Perth continued their undefeated start to the 2013 with a 13 point victory over the Bulldogs in fine conditions at Brownes Stadium on Saturday.

Kicking with a slight breeze the Demons appeared sluggish in the first term as South Fremantle hit the scoreboard first through Andrew McCarrey at the 5 minute mark. Perth was being well beaten in the ruck contest and unlike their round 1 clash their midfielders had trouble getting into the match.

Perth was being well tested in defence especially by the high leaping Paul Mugambwa, who was proving a real headache at Centre Half Forward.  Sam Butler was playing some excellent football and often saving his side in the backline. The home side managed a goal at the 22 minute mark after Kyle Reimers converted a free kick, however at quarter time it was the Bulldogs in front kicking 4 goals 4 to 1 goal 3.

After Perth Coach Damien McMahon desperately tried to lift his young charges after a slow start the Demons came out with far more purpose in the second quarter. Christian Eyres, while giving away height in the ruck slowly worked his way into the match as a talented midfield of Alistair Smith and Chance Bateman found plenty of the ball.

Sharp shooter Simon Donovan booted Perth’s 2^nd and 3^rd goal within minutes to get his side back into the contest. Captain Paul Bevan was playing a great match as a small forward and teaming well with Reimers deep inside Perth’s forward 50 metres.

Just before half time Reimers kicked his 3^rd goal to finish a dominant term for the Demons which saw them lead by 13 points at half time after kicking 6 goals to 2 for the term.

The start of the second half again saw Perth play some great team football and within minutes of the restart Ruckman Mitchell Leyendekkers snapped truly to give the Demons a handy 19 point advantage. Perth was now looking good all over the ground with a rock solid defence led strongly by Butler and Tedesco across half back.

Bevan was starring up forward for Perth and it wasn’t long before he booted his 4^th major as the Demons appeared to have complete control of the match. Half way through the term though the Bulldogs lifted through the tigerish Kris Miller and kicked the next 3 goals as Mugambwa’s height over Kane Ransted was proving a real concern for the home side.

With scores now back on level terms and the match really up for grabs some fantastic tough team football saw Bateman snap a fantastic goal after a wonderful tackle from Reimers set him up inside the forward 50 metres. Donovan then snapped another clever goal to again give Perth some breathing space as they led by 12 points at three quarter time.

The last quarter was always going to be a real tough contest and when Bevan kicked his 5^th goal Perth again seemed to have finally shrugged off South Fremantle. As was the nature of the match however the Bulldogs just would not go away and manage to close within 7 points as the match entered the time on period.

Both team’s started to tire in the final term as Perth were continually pumped forward by Alistair Smith and Matthew Moody, who was playing a wonderful term as a creative midfielder. The courageous Bevan was almost out on his feet but returned to the field to kick a fantastic running goal from 50 metres to again give the home side some breathing space.

With the quarter now well into time on South’s responded with a goal straight back as the margin was again only 7 points. The time clock showed 32 minutes had gone as the pacy and exciting Matthew Boyle ran through Centre Half Forward to kick a great running goal and seal the match for the home side.

The game was an entertaining one to watch with 30 goals kicked between both sides. Bevan played a wonderful Captain’s game booting 6 goals and collecting 27 possessions. Butler was great across half back all day amassing a game high 29 touches and was well supported by a reliable Tedesco with 19 touches.

Alistair Smith was effective in the midfield all day and both youngsters Boyle and Michael Sinclair showed they are real stars of the future. Reimers with 4 goals and Donovan 3 rounded out a damaging and effective forward line.

The Demons have now had a fantastic start to the season and set up a real acid test as they tackle the Black and Whites at Steel Blue Oval next Saturday.

Goals: Bevan 6, Reimers 4, Donovan 3, Bateman, Leyendekkers, Boyle 1.

Best: Bevan, Butler, Moody, Smith, Reimers, Boyle.