SWANS OVERPOWER DEMONS

By Mark Thornber

Round 16, Perth v Swan Districts

At Steel Blue Oval, Saturday 6 July 2013

Perth                           1.4        3.6       4.7       10.7      67

Swan Districts            2.2       8.5       15.10    24.12    156

A tenacious Swan Districts completely outplayed Perth to run out easy 89 point winners at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

In a match that had high stakes for both teams it was the home side that jumped out of the blocks early with an early goal through the dangerous Tim Geappen. Swans seemed to be far more switched on from the start of the match as Perth struggled to move the ball forward despite kicking with a strong breeze to the Bassendean end of the ground.

Perth did manage a goal half way through the term after Michael Mater snapped truly, however at quarter time the Demons trailed Swans by 4 points. The second term was much of the same as the black and whites were gaining momentum of the match around the packs with Lachie Neale and Shaun Hilderbandt completely dominant.

Again through Geappen and the lively Dayle Garlett Perth was being tested in the backline as Swans started to put plenty of scoreboard pressure on their opponents. Perth did manage a rare goal through both David Johnston and another to Brennan Stack, who both converted set shots but at half time Swans had opened up a comfortable lead of 31 points after booting 6 goals to 2 for the term.

The second half saw Swans continue their dominance in most positions despite both Mathew Tedesco and Nick Kane doing their best to repel many of Swans attacking moves. The home side was desperate to replace Perth in fourth position on the ladder and it showed with the way they attacked the ball.

With Geappen, Garlett and Murray Newman all hitting the scoreboard Swan Districts carried on their way to a lead of 63 points at three quarter time after kicking 7 goals to Perth’s 2 for the quarter.

The last term Perth was really only playing for pride and with Brett Hodge and Ali Smith working hard in the centre square they did manage consecutive goals for the first time in the match with Chance Bateman bobbing up to kick two quick goals.

The mini comeback was only short lived though as Swans with the strengthening breeze at their backs frequently pumped the ball long and deep inside their forward 50 metres. The last term produced a total of 14 goals 9 to Swans and 5 to the Demons, however at the final margin Swans had increased their margin to 89 points.

The loss was certainly a disappointing one for the club and sees them slip out of the top four for the first time this year. None played better for the Demons than Tedesco with Hodge and Moody also solid contributors.

Next week Perth returns home to Brownes Stadium in a must win match against the Lions.

Goals: Stack, Bateman 2, Mather, Johnston, Bevan, Reimers, Florio, McInnes 1.

Best: Tedesco, Hodge, Moody, Smith, Kane, Eyres.