SWANS STORM HOME TO SINK DEMONS

Article By Mark Thornber

Images By Corey James

Round 18, Perth v Swan Districts

Steel Blue Oval, Saturday 26 July 2014

Perth                           2.3       7.3       9.9       10.11    71

Swan Districts            2.0       4.1        5.2       11.11     77

Once again Perth did everything but actually win the match as they gave up a lead of 37 points late in the third quarter as Swans stormed home in difficult conditions at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

With mud and wet puddles all over the ground Swans kicked the first goal, however Ben Power playing up forward soon kicked truly for the visitors.

Perth started the match with fantastic effort and endeavour playing man on man football and tackling and smothering well in the first term to lead by 3 points at quarter time after kicking 2 goals 3 to 2 goals.

The second term saw Perth largely through the hard work of Christian Eyres in the middle combine well with Adian Tropiano and Dene White to constantly drive the Demons forward.

Chance Bateman was playing up forward and showed fantastic courage to mark at the top of the goal square to convert and this soon followed with clever snaps from Kieran Hug and Callum Collard.

With a backline that was missing key defenders they were holding the dangerous Tim Geappen and Tony Notte well up forward as Perth was playing some great team football to kick 5 goals to 2 for the term and take a lead of 20 points into half time.

The second half saw goal scoring from both sides really difficult as both sides were throwing everything into the match. Perth peppered the goals up forward, however just couldn’t convert their chances with Mark Deaves and Collard missing very gettable shots on goal.

Bateman finally slotted a goal at the 20 minute and when Gerald Ugle kicked another close to three quarter time Perth found themselves out to a lead of 37 points and a real upset now looked highly likely.

The Black and Whites did manage a late goal through Ryan Davis just before the three quarter time siren, however Perth still looked in control and in front by 31 points at the last break.

The final term saw Swan Districts really come out firing and they soon had early goals on the board through Geappen, Ricky Carey and former Demon Matt Rogers. Perth’s backline had huge trouble clearing the ball out of defence as time and time again Notte flew to grab crucial marks and pump the home side forward on the grandstand flank.

When Graham Jetta slotted a great running goal half way through the term the scorers were suddenly level with Swans surging home and Perth looking in deep trouble. The Demons managed a couple of points through Michael Florio to regain the lead and when Bateman kicked his 3^rd goal after a free kick for Umpire abuse against Swans’ Full Back Jarrad Blight the visitors were in front by 8 points and desperately trying to hang on with minutes remaining.

With the use of the breeze and the conditions now fining up Swans were peppering the goals. Deep into time on a 50 metre penalty was converted by former Demon small man Aaron Elari to put Swans Districts back in front.

Unfortunately for loyal and long suffering Perth fans try as they might Perth just couldn’t manage another goal as the Black and Whites managed to hold on to inflict even further heartache on Perth supporters.

The loss was certainly disappointing especially after giving up such a comfortable lead late in the match, however given the fact so many league players were missing the side showed great endeavour and desperation for the first 3 quarters.

Bateman played his best match for the side this year booting 3 goals and was well supported by Tropiano and White with Eyres trying hard in difficult conditions for a big man.

Next week Perth returns home to Lathlain Park to play Peel.

Goals: Bateman 3, Deaves 2, Hug, Florio, Collard, Smith, Ugle 1.

Best: Bateman, Tropiano, Hug, White, Eyres, Hunt.