Sharks storm home over Demons

Perth missed an ideal opportunity to hold on in a close finishing match at Lathlain Park on Saturday as East Fremantle kicked 3 late goals to win by 9 points.

The Demons had the first goal on the board within the first minute of play through Mitch Morton after a free kick from the centre square. Perth was looking really good early on with plenty of drive from Dene White and Cale Morton in the midfield, and Mitch Morton was on fire at Full Forward booting 3 goals in the opening 15 minutes.

After opening up a 4 goal lead the Sharks responded with 3 late goals in time on to reduce Perth’s lead to just 4 points at quarter time.

The second term again saw the Demons full of run with Christian Eyres playing a good game in the centre square. Bradley Keast, who was doing an excellent job in tagging Sandover Medallist Rory O’Brien bobbed up to kick Perth’s 5^th major and this was soon followed by first gamer Rowan Brookes as Perth again started to hit the scoreboard. At the half way mark of the second term the Demons opened up a 23 point advantage and were looking good all over the ground.

The quarter though seemed to have a very familiar pattern to the first as just when Perth looked in control the Sharks hit back with goals through big man Rob Young and the experienced Brett Peake.

East Fremantle gained the ascendancy of the match as they kicked the last 4 goals of the term to take a lead of 4 points into half time.

The second term saw the fast flowing football continue as both Perth and East Fremantle exchanged goal for goal. Perth was receiving excellent service from a hard working centre line with both Michael Florio and Cameron Manuel gaining plenty of the ball and Hayden Busher was leading well up forward.

Joel Leeson after a quiet first half kicked Perth’s 9^th and 10^th goal only to see East Fremantle reply, however when Busher kicked truly late in the term Perth again found themselves in front by 4 points at three quarter time.

With both team’s desperate for the first goal of the vital last term scoring opportunities were proving difficult with both backlines well on top. Perth finally managed a goal through Mitch Morton after a spectacular chest mark as he converted his 5^th goal.

Perth held a 11 point lead entering into time on and were looking to hold on. The Shark’s though found another gear as they continually drove the ball forward through the good work of Brad Dalziell and Mark McGough.

Peake ran into an open goal at the 24 minute mark after a costly Perth error in the backline and then he again bobbed up to slot a 50 metre goal close to the finish to break the hearts of many Perth fans as the Shark’s prevailed by 9 points.

Perth had former East Perth player Rowan Brookes playing his first match and become league player number 1555.

The loss was certainly a disappointing one for the club especially as they led for periods of the match. Perth will be sure to use the bye next week to the advantage as they attempt to have a number of injured players fit including Jarryd Morton, Callum Collard, Mitch Leyendekkers, Jarrad Irons, Nick Kane and Brett Hodge in the coming weeks.

Mitch Morton showed his experience by playing a great match and booting 5 goals and was again well supported by his brother Cale. White continued on with his great form and Busher provided a reliable target up forward all day.

Goals: M. Morton 5, Leeson 2, Busher, Brookes, Power, Keast, Eyres 1.

Best: M. Morton, C. Morton, White,  Ugle, Leeson, Busher.

Round 9, Perth v East Fremantle

At Lathlain Park Saturday 17 May 2014

Perth                           4.2       7.4       11.7      12.9      81

East Fremantle          3.4       7.7       10.9      13.12    90