DEMONS LACK OF HEIGHT EXPOSED

By Mark Thornber

Round 22, Perth v East Perth

At Medibank Stadium, Saturday 17 August 2013

Perth                           4.5       9.7       12.8      13.10    88

East Perth                  5.3       11.6      14.11    20.16    136

Perth were again exposed for a lack of height both in the ruck and in the backline as East Perth ran out winners by 48 points after a close first three quarters at Medibank Stadium on Saturday.

In overcast conditions Perth won the toss but it was the Royals who scored first as the dangerous Matthew Seal crumbed a goal within the first minute of play.

Perth soon responded with their first goal at the 4 minute mark after Fraser McInnes converted truly from a free kick. Despite the heavy ground both teams were handling the tricky conditions well, however it was obvious from the start that the Demons appeared to lack some height.

East Perth’s Josh Smith soon hit the scoreboard, however Simon Tunbridge was finding plenty of space inside Perth’s 50 metres to boot 2 first quarter goals. After an even first term it was the Royals who lead narrowly by 4 points kicking 5 goals 3 to 4 goals 5.

The second term started well for Perth with Captain Paul Bevan kicking a goal and then another to Kyle Reimers. Perth had plenty of run and despite losing most hit outs to Paul Johnson the likes of Joel Leeson and Cameron Manuel were constantly driving the ball inside Perth’s 50 metres.

With Perth in front by 13 points half way through the term they appeared to have momentum of the match. This did not last long however as the Royals went up a notch from the time on period in the second quarter to pile on 4 unanswered goals and went into half time with a 11 point lead.

The second half saw the rain arrive and when East Perth kicked 2 quick goals in the opening minutes it was also going to tough to come from behind in the wet. Perth did though enjoy a mini fight back late in the third term as new recruit Jarryd Morton was proving influential after being moved to Centre Half Forward.

Perth finished the quarter well with both Manual and Leeson converting from set shots to close the margin to just 15 points at the last change.

Perth desperately needed the first goal of the last quarter to have any chance, and when McInnes took a great contested mark 40 metres out the Perth supporters sensed a comeback was certainly possible. However the shot at goal missed and this then seemed to lift the Royals.

With Johnson in complete control in the ruck against Eyres, who didn’t appear fully fit East Perth stormed away with their prime movers in Adam Selwood, Matt Rosa and Brendan Lee proving too difficult to stop.

Josh Smith was also too powerful up forward and finished the match with 6 majors as the home side ran away comfortable winners by 48 points over a tired looking Perth side.

Morton probably played his best game for the club showing his versatility by playing at both ends of the ground. Leeson and Manuel were certainly the club’s best midfielders on the day with both Stack and Tunbridge showing good signs at times up forward.

Unfortunately for Perth fans any chance of a finals berth this season is only very remote with the Demons needing to win their remaining two matches and also relying on other results to go their way to have any chance.

Next week Perth returns home to Brownes Stadium to tackle the top of the table Tigers.

Goals: Stack 3, Tunbridge, Bevan, Reimers 2, McInnes, Morton, Manual, Leeson 1.

Best: Morton, Hodge, Tunbridge, Stack, Leeson, Manuel.