DETERMINED DEMONS GO DOWN TO ROYALS

DETERMINED DEMONS GO DOWN TO ROYALS

By Mark Thornber

Round 6, Perth v East Perth

Medibank Stadium, Saturday 26 April 2014

Perth                           4.2       7.4       9.8       11.10    76

East Perth                  6.2       8.7       11.11     14.14    98

Perth took it right up to East Perth for much of the match as the Royals prevailed by 22 points in wintry conditions at Medibank Stadium on Saturday.

The Royals hit the scoreboard first with a quick major to Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls at the 6 minute mark of the first term. Perth was being well led by Dene White in the centre square who was working hard for the Demons.

Matthew Moody hit a real purple patch for Perth and showed what a wonderful set shot for goal he is with 2 quick goals, however the home side soon responded with a goal to former Demon Ashley Smith.

In a high scoring term both side’s kept bombing the ball long inside their forward 50 metres and by quarter time the Royals held a 2 goal lead after booting 6 goals 2 to 4 goals 2 with Moody kicking all of Perth’s 4 goals.

The second term found scoring opportunities more difficult as both defences gained control. The Demons defence was being really tested with the height of former Perth players Fraser McInnes and Simon Tunbridge really causing them concerns.

East Perth opened up a handy 4 goal lead until the exciting Matthew Boyle ran through half forward to kick consecutive goals to narrow the lead. Perth was certainly still in the match and White was being well supported by Cale Morton and youngster Clem Smith, who was starring off half back.

When Tunbridge booted a goal through a 50 metre penalty the home side had opened up a lead of just 9 points at half time. The second half saw Perth still having trouble to take a mark inside their forward 50 metres as their lack of height was being exposed by Paul Johnson and Callum Sinclair all around the ground.

At the half way mark of the term though and after some wonderful courageous play from White Perth kicked a couple of quick goals firstly through Michael Florio and then another to Gerald Ugle that saw the Demons hit the front for the first time in the Match.

Unfortunately for Perth fans this lead did not last long as the Royals responded with goals through McInnes and Sinclair to regain the lead and take a buffer of 15 points into three quarter time.

Desperate for the first goal of the final term Perth had to wait until the 8 minute mark when Mitch Morton pulled down a strong grab to convert truly to close the margin again to just 8 points.

With light rain now falling scoring became difficult for both sides and despite all of Perth’s efforts they just simply could not convert their opportunities. When Sinclair booted a long goal from 50 metres at the 17 minute mark this was always going to be enough to seal the result.

The Royals booted a couple of late goals and Boyle responded with Perth’s 11^th, however in the end East Perth recorded a 22 point victory.

Perth simply had no one to curb the influence of Johnson and Sinclair who really made the difference in the match.

White continued his outstanding form of the season and was well supported by Cale Morton, who played a great match on a centre wing. Boyle tried hard and showed off his wonderful pace by booting 3 goals and while he was well held after quarter time Moody chipped in with 4 first quarter goals in a forward line that simply lacked height all day.

Next week Perth travels down to Bendigo Bank Stadium in a must win game against Peel as they try and remain in touch with the top four.

Goals: Moody 4, M. Boyle 3, Bevan, Florio, Ugle, M, Morton 1.

Best: White, C.Morton, C.Smith, J.Morton, Boyle, Moody.