DEMONS FINSH SEASON IN SYTLE

Article By Mark Thornber

Photos By Gemma Boys

Round 24, Perth v South Fremantle

At Brownes Stadium, Saturday 31 August 2013

Perth                           1.2        8.5       10.9      17.13    115

South Fremantle        6.4       9.6       11.9      13.13    91

Perth finished the 2013 season in winning fashion as they stormed home with a 7 goal final term to defeat South Fremantle at Brownes Stadium on Saturday.

In windy conditions the Bulldogs kicked with the advantage of a strong breeze and brought up a goal through Mitch Banner at the 2 minute mark.  The Bulldogs were using the breeze well with Full Forward Ben Saunders causing Perth’s backline plenty of headaches.

Perth could only manage their one gaol for the quarter at the 24 minute mark through Vice Captain Daniel O’Sullivan. At quarter time South Fremantle had jumped away to a lead of 32 points after kicking 6 goals 4 to 1 goal 2.

When the visitors booted the first goal in the second term Perth were suddenly 38 points down and being completely outplayed. The Demons through the reliable efforts of Brett Hodge and the tenacious Dene White slowly picked up their work rate and managed a goal to Captain Paul Bevan and then another to Julian Jacobs.

The wind was certainly a clear factor in the match as Perth mounted a comeback by kicking long and direct. When Kyle Reimers, who was playing off half back kicked a 70 metre goal that bounced through Perth were well and truly back in the match.

South’s were now finding entries into their forward 50 metres few and far between as Jarred Risol really tightened up on the dangerous Saunders. When the lively Joel Leeson bobbed up just before half time to kick Perth’s 8^th goal and 7th for the term they only trailed the Bulldogs by 7 points at half time.

The second half saw both team’s finding scoring difficult with both defences well on top. Reimers was playing a great match as a rebounding half back and often using his long kicking torpedos to excellent effect. Despite now kicking with a 4 goal breeze South Fremantle were being well held by the Demons.

Saunders kicked a goal for the bulldogs half way through the term, however Perth soon responded with a goal to Dene White. Perth would have been happy with an even third quarter despite the Bulldogs booting a late major to take a lead of 1 goal into three quarter time.

The last term started well for Perth with Joel Houghton running into an open goal to level the scores. The Bulldogs answered to edge in front soon latter, however this again seemed to lift the Demons into action.

Brennan Stack, who had been well held suddenly, came to life to boot his 3^rd goal but it was Leeson who snapped a magnificent goal from 50 metres that really brought the crowd to life.

Perth now had all the momentum of the match with the likes of Hodge, Jacobs and White all kicking long and direct with the breeze in what was becoming a dominant last term for the home side. Leeson kicked his 3^rd goal after a free kick and then Stack kicked his 4^th and 5^th goals after running free into goal, after being set up well by Bevan on both occasions.

Perth ended up winning by 4 goals after playing a great last term booting 7 goals to the Bulldogs 2. Reimers without doubt played his best match for Perth and despite a couple of early errors played a fantastic rebounding game picking up 28 touches.

Hodge continued his fine form with 24 possessions and was well supported by both White and O’Sullivan in the midfield. Stack finished with 5 goals to take his season tally to 52 and finished 3^rd on the goal kicking list with Bevan’s 2 goals giving him second spot on the goal kickers list with 55 just behind Josh Smith from East Perth.

The win was certainly a great way to finish for the club especially after giving up a 6 goal lead in the first half, and sees the league team finish with 10 wins and 10 losses for the season.

Perth had Joel Kalajzic playing his first match and the classy left footer from South Perth adapted to the league tempo well picking up 17 touches and becoming league player 1547 for the club.

Perth has both the Reserves and Colts side’s playing in the finals this year and would encourage all members to continue to support the sides as they push for a Grand Final spot this year.

Goals: Stack 5, Leeson 3, Bevan, White 2, O’Sullivan, Richardson, Houghton, Jacobs, Reimers 1.

Best: Reimers, Hodge, O’Sullivan, Stack, Leeson, Sketcher.