DEMONS HANG ON IN THRILLER

Article by Mark Thornber

Photo by Kerrie-Ann Pendal

Round 4, Perth v Swan Districts

At Steel Blue Oval, Saturday 6 April 2013

Perth                           5.3       10.6      12.8      15.13    105

Swan Districts            3.6       5.7       10.10    14.17    103

Perth continued their winning run as they won a thrilling match by 2 points after withstanding a big fight back from Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

In warm conditions Perth kicked to the Bassendean end of the ground in the first term. It was the home side however that started the match better as they jumped out to an early 2 goal lead. Perth slowly worked their way into the match and at the 6 minute mark Chance Bateman converted his side’s first goal after some great forward pressure from Kyle Reimers turned the ball over.

The lively Brennan Stack kicked a clever goal to put the Demons in front. After starting slowly Perth’s midfield led by Alistair Smith and Daniel O’Sullivan worked their way into the match picking up many contested possessions.

After an excellent conversion deep in the forward pocket by Fraser McInness Perth had suddenly turned the match by booting 5 goals after conceding the first 2. At quarter time they lead the black and whites by 9 points.

The second term saw Perth start to really rebound the ball well off half back where both Matthew Tedesco and West Coast Eagle Ashley Smith were providing plenty of run from the backline. Tedesco was rewarded for his hard run when he kicked Perth’s 6^th goal and this was soon followed by another to Stack who was well on top up forward.

The Demons were now starting to put some real scoreboard pressure on their opponents and after goals to both Stack and Captain Paul Bevan Perth was able to take a comfortable lead of 29 points into the half time break.

The second half commenced perfectly for the visitors with a great snap from youngster Matthew Boyle soon followed by a great running goal from Stack. The lead was now 41 points and all Perth fans could only contain their delight.

With the home side in all sorts of trouble they appeared to slowly lift their tempo as the pace of Graham Jetta and Dayle Garlett started to cause Perth some real headaches. Swans with a lively home crowd behind them were gaining the ascendancy of the match largely through the hit outs where Wes Lamie was now well on top.

The black and whites where ruthless as they kicked 5 consectitive goals as Perth found it difficult to enter inside their forward 50 metres. At three quarter time the match was now certainly up for grabs as Perth only held a 10 point lead after being outscored 5 goals to 2 for the term.

The first goal was always going to be crucial for either side in the last quarter and it was Swans who kicked it through the dangerous Tim Gaeppen. With only 3 points the difference both teams were desperate as the warm conditions started to take effect on the tired players.

Reimers bobbed up to boot his first goal and reinstate a 9 point lead when Garlett kicked straight into his arms when kicking in for goal. The home side continued to come home with a wet sale though and again closed within a goal now at the half way mark of the quarter.

Resting ruckman Mitchell Leyendekkers, who is improving in every match calmly slotted Perth’s 14^th major after taking a strong pack mark. Swan Districts kicked another goal through Travis Casserly. The home side was now steaming out of the centre and constantly pumping the ball forward and when the experienced Wayde Twomey marked uncontested and converted a goal the black and whites had hit the front.

It was now the 25 minute mark and Perth fans couldn’t believe their side had given up a commanding 41 point lead and now looked unlikely to hang on. Boyle had a chance with the aid of a 50 metre penalty to kick truly but missed with Swans now still being 2 points in front.

After a couple of tightly contested contests deep in Perth’s forward line Swans cleared the ball out of bounds on the full near the half forward line in front of the Swans home members. With the time clock now showing 29 minutes with surely only seconds remaining Ruckman Christian Eyres had the ball knocked away by a Swan Districts Trainer. To the delight of the Perth supporters a 50 metre penalty was paid as Eyres lined up from 30 metres out.

The pressure shot at goal slowly floated through as the Demons had the lead back by 2 points. Swans dangerously cleared the ball out of the centre as Perth dropped all their players back in defence desperately trying to hold Swans out.

The siren sounded at the 30 minute mark deep in Swans forward line to end an exciting 2 point victory for a jubilant Perth side. The win was certainly a great character victory and the first win at Steel Blue Oval for 9 seasons.

Tedesco was fantastic all day long across half back picking up 29 touches and well supported by Ashley Smith who used his long kicking to great effect to set up many attacking moves. Vice Captain O’Sullivan continued his excellent start to the season and worked well with a tigerish Alistair Smith.

Stack was clearly the best forward on the day and damaging with his 4 majors and received good support from Bevan and McInness with 2 goals each.

Next week Perth returns home to Brownes Stadium to tackle the Sharks in a Sunday match as they try to stretch their winning run to 4 matches.

Goals: Stack 4, Bevan, McInnes 2, Bateman, Boyle, Reimers, Ashley Smith, Tedesco, Eyres, Leyendekkers 1.

Best: Tedesco, Ashley Smith, O’Sullivan, Bevan, Stack, White.