DEMONS DEMOLISH THE THUNDER

By Mark Thornber

Round 18, Perth v Peel

At Bendigo Bank Stadium, Saturday 20 July 2013

Perth                           5.5       10.7      12.12    18.15    123

Peel                             2.2       4.4       6.7       7.7       49

Perth completely outplayed Peel Thunder on Saturday at Bendigo Bank Stadium to record a commanding 74 point victory.

The match was only a minute old when exciting Peel youngster Kelvin Lawrence threaded through a clever goal and then kicked booted a similar from the boundary only moments later.

After a slow start the Demons started to lift the tempo and soon brought up a goal through Leeson who snapped truly. Jackson Sketcher, who is really proving to be a versatile player in recent weeks soon kicked another as Perth hit the front.

Christian Eyres was working very hard in the middle of the ground and Julian Jacobs and Dene White were reaping the rewards. West Coast Eagle Sam Butler was rebounding well across half back in the first term and by quarter time the visitors were in front by 15 points after kicking 5 goals 5 to 2 goals 2.

The second term saw an impressive defence unit well on top especially with Jarryd Morton in complete control and looking very impressive in the key role at Centre Half Back. Brennan Stack bobbed up to kick Perth’s 6^th major and this was soon followed by another to Bevan. Perth was by now playing some great team football and despite the match being a bit scrappy at times were well on top in most positions.

Close to half time White went back with great courage to pull down a strong overhead mark and with the aid of a 50 metre penalty guided through the Demon’s 10^th major. After another productive quarter on the scoreboard booting 5 goals to 2 Perth took a comfortable lead of 39 points into the main break.

After half time both side’s found scoring more difficult with both backlines raking up possessions. The Thunder were being well led by former Demon Brendon Jones but lacked support with Perth able to apply some great defence pressure through Butler, Nick Kane and Matt Tedesco, who were all combining well.

Defender Michael Sinclair ran down field to kick Perth’s first goal for the term but without doubt the real highlight for the quarter came soon afterwards when Chance Bateman, who was roaming far and wide kicked a wonderful goal from the boundary line on his left foot.

Despite Peel kicking 2 late goals close to three quarter time Perth still increased their lead to 41 points at the last change after finishing with a wasteful 2 goals 5.

Perth supporters were certainly keen to see their side finish off the game well and it wasn’t long until Matthew Moody kicked his second and his side’s 13^th goal. With winners now all over the ground Perth was running out the match well with Bateman and Jacobs in particular continually driving the ball forward inside Perth’s 50 metres.

Bevan really came to life in a purple patch as he kicked consecutive goals with the Demons completely dominant. Some great team play late in the last term saw the Demons sweep the ball forward from one end to another starting with Bateman and finishing with Leeson kicking a great running goal from just inside 50 metres.

The last term saw Perth finishing full of ran as they booted 6 goals to 1 including 3 goals to Bevan in the last term to run out convincing winners by 74 points.

Perth had plenty of the ball all day with Butler playing a tremendous matching picking up 31 touches and a hard running Bateman linking the play well to finish with 27 possessions. Bevan played a great Captain’s match with 5 goals up forward with Jacobs, White, Eyres and Morton all being solid four quarter contributors in a win that lifted Perth to third spot on the ladder.

Next week Perth has a bye and then plays East Fremantle in another crucial match at East Fremantle Oval.

Goals: Bevan 5, Moody, Stack, Leeson 2, McInnes, Sinclair, Sketcher, Bateman, Leyendekers, Morton, White 1.

Best: Butler, Bateman, Bevan, Eyres, Morton, Leeson.