DEMONS LOSE IN TIME ON

DEMONS LOSE IN TIME ON

BY PETER KENNEDY

Swan Districts came from behind in a thrilling finish to snatch a one point win over Perth in the fifth round Easter Sunday clash at Lathlain Park.

As a result the Demons have slipped from fourth to sixth on the premiership ladder, and must win a crucial clash against East Perth at Medibank Stadium on Saturday to stay in touch with the top four.

Swans were quickly into stride in perfect conditions in the first quarter, and caught the Demons napping. They moved the ball swiftly out of the middle and had two goals in two minutes. They continued to dominate and had a further three goals on the board before skipper Paul Bevan kicked Perth's first.

The Demons steadied, and with newcomer Ben Power doing better in the ruck, notched goals through Callum Collard and Brennan Stack to trail by seven points at the first change.

But Swans came back in the second quarter and stretched their lead to 18 points at half time. The Demons' only goal came from the hardworking Bevan who was leading by example.

It was a different Perth which emerged after the break. Power was gaining in confidence and holding his own in the ruck as well as in the marking duels, Sean Lynch -  in only his second game - was playing with flair, and Jarryd Morton was an important steadying factor.

Perth rattled on six goals to Swans three goals, and snatched the lead when Gerald Ugle kicked a major at the 24 minute mark of the third quarter.

The Demons continued to surge in the last quarter, dominating the first 15 minutes of play. Matt Moody booted two goals, and when Michael Florio converted from 50 metres, the lead was 18 points.

But suddenly it was all Swans as they moved the ball quickly and surely. The visitors  finished as they had started, and it appeared that the extra effort by the Demons to close the five-goal first quarter gap had taken its toll. Swans kicked three unanswered goals and the final siren sounded only seconds after the black and whites had grabbed back the lead.

League details:

Perth                     3-6            4-9        10-11         13-13  (91)

Swan Districts         5-1            8-3         11-4          14-8   (92)

Goals: Perth - Moody 3, Bevan 2, O'Sullivan, Ugle, Stack, Florio, C. Morton. Power, Lynch, Collard.

Best: Perth - J. Morton, Power, Bevan, Lynch, Ugle, C. Morton.

Reserves:

Perth needed to win to keep its season alive, and the early play was evenly matched. Swans shot out to a three goal lead early in the second quarter which could have been crucial in a low scoring game.

The Demons fought back and there was only one point in it at half time. Inaccuracy was costly for the home team but they kept plugging away, to hit the lead. They snatched a thrilling win - their second - by just two points.

Perth  8-17 (65)   def   Swan Districts  9-9 (63).

Colts:

Barry Stanton's boys are having a tough introduction to the season, suffering a 69 point loss to Swans, which were unbeaten in second place on the ladder. The boys showed glimpses of better things to come, and Stanton is working hard to  turn their season around.

Perth  7-8 (50)  lost to  Swan Districts  18-11 (119)