DEMONS FADE IN SECOND HALF

Article By Mark Thornber

Photos By Peter Brear

Round 13, Perth v East Perth

At Brownes Stadium, Sunday 16 June 2013

Perth                           5.2       7.8       8.9       12.11    83

East Perth                  4.1        6.2       11.8      15.11    101

Perth faded after a promising start to go down to the Royals by 18 points in fine conditions at Brownes Stadium on Sunday.

The match was only a couple of minutes in when danger man Josh Smith marked and goaled for East Perth. It was obvious from the start that the Royals had a real advantage on Perth in the height department with Paul Johnson, Scott Lycett and Smith all looking dangerous early on.

Perth Captain Paul Bevan kicked a clever goal at the 7 minute mark as Perth started to lift their tempo in the match. Simon Tunbridge swooped on a loose ball to kick Perth’s second major and this was soon followed by another to Stack.

On each occasion though East Perth responded until Stack slotted a set shot right on the quarter time siren to provide the Demons with a 7 point lead at the first break.

The second quarter again saw Perth have most of the momentum of the match however they had trouble converting their opportunities. With Bevan, Stack and Brant College all missing very gettable shots at goal the Royals were again able to draw level with a goal to Lycett.

After a very wasteful second term Kyle Reimers was able to kick a much needed goal for Perth on the stroke of half time to put the home side in front by 12 points after they manage a wasteful 2 goals 6 to 2 goals 1 for the term.

The second half saw East Perth gain the ascendancy around the middle largely through their Captain Brendan Lee, who was reading the palming of Johnson and Lycett’s dominance in the ruck.

Perth was forced to use Fraser McInnes to support Christian Eyres in the ruck, and while they both battled hard they were simply being outsized around the ground. Josh Smith booted 2 kick goals in the 3^rd term as the Royals took control of the match.

Perth could only manage a single goal for the term that came through the returning Michael Florio. After a disappointing term Perth went into three quarter time trailing East Perth by 17 points.

Needing to come out firing in the last quarter the Demons finally found some space in the midfield as the likes of Brett Hodge and Ali Smith had an important impact. Hodge kicked a crucial goal and when Busher soon converted another suddenly Perth was right back in the match and only behind by 5 points. A costly turnover in the centre again saw Josh Smith convert his 5^th goal as the Royals found some more breathing space.

Despite battling hard unfortunately Perth just could not convert their opportunities up forward with the Royals kicking 2 late goals in time on to run out winners by 3 goals.

Hodge played a great four quarter match picking up 25 tough possessions and Tedesco continued his fine form for the season picking up a game high 28 touches. Stack battled hard to finish with 4 goals with McInnes trying hard, however along with Eyres was outsized for most of the match.

Next week Perth travels to Mandurah in a must win match against Peel.

Goals: Stack 4, Reimers 3, Tunbridge, Busher, Hodge, Florio, Bevan 1.

Best: Hodge, Tedesco, Stack, Ashley Smith, Ali Smith, M