DEMONS BOUNCE BACK TO THEIR BEST

By Mark Thornber

Round 14, Perth v Peel

At Bendigo Bank Stadium, Saturday 22 June 2013

Perth                           6.2       8.3       16.9      18.9      117

Peel                             4.1        6.2       6.5       9.13      67

Perth bounced back to form playing some of their best football in the third term to run out winners by 50 points over Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Trying to end a 3 game losing streak the Demons were quickly on the board with Simon Tunbridge bouncing through a long goal within the first minute of play. This was then soon followed by another to Captain Paul Bevan, and when big man Fraser McInnes kicked Perth’s 3^rd the Demons had opened up a mini break kicking with a strong breeze.

Perth was being well served by a tenacious Brett Hodge and Ali Smith who were both dominating in the centre clearances. The Thunder slowly worked their back into the match with the next 2 goals until exciting youngster Callum Collard kicked his first goal as the Demons took a lead of 13 points into the first break.

The second quarter saw the Thunder’s turn to kick with a 4 goal breeze to the southern end of the ground as Perth coaching staff used the clever tactic of playing swingman Matthew Moody as a spare man in defence.

In a scrappy second term where both side’s found scoring opportunities difficult Moody was able to gain plenty of important possessions in the backline combining well with Matthew Tedesco, who is enjoying a wonderfully consistent season.

The Thunder went forward and scored a goal through Laine Wilkins who was looking dangerous, however this was counteracted with a goal to McInnes shortly after. With both team’s playing a largely defence second term kicking 2 goals each Perth went into half time still 13 points in front.

The second half started well for the visitors with the Demons hitting the scoreboard early with goals to both Hodge and Moody. Perth was now looking in great shape with winners all over the ground as they continually drove the ball long and deep into the forward 50 metres using the breeze well.

Collard bobbed up to boot Perth’s 12^th major and this was soon followed by another to wingman Michael Florio, who was finding plenty of the ball on his centre wing. When Collard booted his 4^th goal just before three quarter time the Demons had played a fantastic term of football kicking 8 goals 6 in a dominant display while keeping the Thunder to just 3 points.

With a lead of 64 points at the start of the last term Perth continued to provide plenty of hard run especially through Hodge and the creative Moody.

The Thunder kicked an early goal through Jessie Hockings but Bevan soon replied with his 3^rd major after some great team play. Moody slipped forward to cap his great day off with Perth’s 18^th goal half way through the last term.

Despite the Thunder kicking a couple of late goals as Perth began to tire when the final siren sounded Perth were in front by 50 points largely due to a blistering 8 goal third term.

A 50 point win was certainly a very pleasing result for the club with Moody playing a wonderful match picking up 30 classy possessions as well as 2 goals. Hodge was not far behind Moody picking up 24 touches and was constantly in and under at the packs all day.

Collard showed he is a real star of the future booting 4 goals on debut with the 19 year from Kelmscott becoming league player number 1544. McInnes led well all day taking several strong pack marks and combined well with Bevan kicking 2 goals each.

Tedesco again played a steady match amassing 25 possessions and showed while he would be close to leading the club’s Best and Fairest at the half way mark of the season.

Next week Perth travels down to the port to take on South Fremantle.

Goals: Collard 4, Bevan 3, Florio, McInnes, Moody 2, Hodge, White, Tunbridge, Hug Deaves 1.

Best: Moody, Hodge, Tedesco, Tunbridge, McInnes, Bevan.