DEMONS SNUFFED OUT BY SHARKS

By Mark Thornber

Round 15, Perth v East Fremantle

East Fremantle Oval , Saturday 5 July 2014

Perth                           4.1        5.3       8.7       14.8      92

East Fremantle          2.4       8.9       10.14    14.18    102

Perth very nearly pulled off a major upset on Saturday but despite getting as close as 3 points in the last term the Sharks steadied to hold on by 10 points in fine conditions at East Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

Perth captain Paul Bevan won the toss and kicked with a slight breeze to the Marmion Street end of the ground. It was not long though as the Shark’s pounced on a Demons error in the backline to hit the scoreboard first.

Perth soon responded with a goal to Mitch Morton as both teams were playing some tough running football. As usual Perth was being well served by Dene White in the middle and the plan to play with some height up forward with the resting Ruckman appeared to be working well.

Bevan kicked a wonderful goal late in the quarter as Perth was able to take a lead of 9 points into the first change after kicking 4 goals 1 to 2 goals 4.

The second term saw the home side come right back into the match through some hard running from Sandover Medallist Rory O’Brien and Brad Dalziele. Some quick goals through Brett Peake and Sean Hensen saw East Fremantle kick away to lead by 4 goals at half time as Perth could only manage a goal to Callum Collard for the quarter.

The second half saw the tempo of the match lift with several heated clashes in the front the member’s wing. White along with Moody was continuing to drive Perth forward with the slight use of the breeze.

A clever snap from Joel Leeson and another long goal to Joel Houghton had Perth right back in the match by the half way mark of the term. A couple of very costly 50 metre penalties though saw the Sharks boot a couple of late majors, which saw them hold a lead of 19 points at three quarter time.

To have any chance Perth had to start the last term well and this is what they did with a couple of hard running goals to Matthew Boyle and Gerald Ugle as the match was suddenly up for grabs. Matthew Moody was at his creative best setting up many attacking moves up forward.

Every time Perth however started to threaten the home side the Sharks managed to steady and boot a couple of goals against the run of play to keep in front. Entering into time on Perth snapped a great goal through Daniel O’Sullivan and when Captain Bevan slotted a pressure kick the Demons were within 10 points and were coming home full of run.

At the 26 minute mark Dene White converted a pressure kick and Perth was only 4 points behind with a real upset now looking possible. As the ball was pumped forward late into the term Perth just couldn’t quite score the winning goal despite throwing players forward as the Sharks forced through a behind.

From the kick in Rory O’Brien was un manned on the grandstand wing and he ran forward to set up the sealer in the dying seconds as the Sharks hung on to win a thriller by just 10 points.

Perth certainly showed plenty of character to their loyal fans storming home to kick 6 goals in the final quarter in what has been a tough few months for the club. Stand in Coach Trevor Williams appears to have modified the game plan that saw players left inside the forward 50 metres rather than always up the ground.

White was again outstanding for the Demons picking up 31 touches and was well supported by first gamer Tropiano and the creative Moody with Jarrod Morton solid in defence all day.

Perth had former East Fremantle player Aidan Tropiano making his league debut for the Demons playing a great game picking up 26 possessions and a goal becoming league player 1557.

Next week Perth returns home to Lathlain Park to play the Bulldogs.

Goals: M. Morton, P. Bevan 2, Collard, Ugle, Houghton, White, Stack, Boyle, Tropiano, Eyres, Leeson, O’Sullivan 1.

Best: White, Tropiano, Leeson, Leyendekkers, Moody, Bevan.