Round 8 - Perth vs East Fremantle at ATOM Stadium

LEAGUE:

SPALDING SICK OF 'HONOURABLE LOSSES'

League coach Earl Spalding told his players he was sick of 'honourable losses' after Perth was unable to finish on in the last quarter against East Fremantle to go down by 24 points - 14-8 (92) to Easts 17-14 (116).

Spalding said that although he was pleased with the team's effort, he had mixed emotions about the result. He blamed Perth's slow start, which allowed the Sharks to have a 10 goal first term, as a significant factor in the result.

In perfect conditions at Atom Stadium (East Fremantle Oval), the Demons were quickly out of the blocks. Mitchell Morton celebrated his return after injury by snapping a goal in the first minute of play.

But the Sharks dominated most of the quarter. They repeatedly won the centre clearances and moved the ball quickly and accurately. Then Perth steadied with Morton kicking a 50 metre goal, followed by another long major  from Kurtis Chester in his sixth league game.

Perth added four goals in an improved second quarter, getting strong drive in the mid field from both Aidan Tropiano, who was the target for plenty of treatment from his old team, and Brett Wolfenden, who booted two majors. Jared Bell continued in good touch in defence.

The Demons trailed by 29 points at half time, but a five goal third term put the side within striking distance at last break, when the margin was just 15 points.

The final quarter opened at a furious pace but it was the Sharks who were first on the board. Another major stretched their lead to 29 points.

Perth fought back with goals to Morton and Cody Leggett, and then Rowan Brookes hit the goal post after a strong mark. The Demons squandered opportunities up forward in several furious passages of play, but when the Sharks kicked their seventeenth, the result was sealed.

EAST FREMANTLE               10-2    11-6      14-8          17-14        116

PERTH                                   3-1      7-1       12-5          14-8           92

GOALS: Perth - M. Morton 4; B. Wolfenden 2, M. Browne 2, K. Chester 2; A. Tropiano 1, T. Gianatti 1, B. Edmonds 1, C. Leggett 1.

BEST: A. Tropiano, J. Bell, B. Wolfenden, T. Gianatti, J. Payne, L. McKenna

RESERVES

DEMONS CONSOLIDATE IN TOP FIVE

The Reserves side strengthened its position in the top five with a seven goal last quarter to run out 52 point winners over a struggling East Fremantle team. It also provided a strong boost to the team's percentage.

Daniel Arangio and Callum Walley were lively in the forward line with three goals each. Arangio could have doubled that tally, as he also kicked six points.

Lachie Dennis put in an outstanding game, and Kane Ranstead responded to his demotion from the league side with a dashing effort.

EAST FREMANTLE             1-1      2-1        5-3          8-4      (52)

PERTH                                 3-5      5-11       8.12      15.14  (104) 

GOALS: Perth - D. Arangio 3, C. Walley 3; B. Borrett 2, L. Dennis 2; K. Germs, J. Hooper 1, C. Jones 1, A. Mercer 1, T. Stevenson 1.

BEST:  L. Dennis, K. Ranstead, S. McGillivray, B. Borrett, R. Garlett, C. Walley.

COLTS:

PERTH FADE IN SECOND HALF

BY PETER BREAR

James Bereyne kicked a goal with his first kick in WAFL Colts. Perth put together a very good first quarter, with Zac Hill doing well in the ruck and around the ground, and Chapman Jones continuing his good form.

But the Demons failed to match it with Old East after half-time. One goal in the second half reflected our up and down "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" season. The young Sharks were in first for the ball and ran hard, showing us what had to be done to win a game of footy.

The loss puts us in the middle of the pack, with a lot of heavy work to be done over the next few rounds to get our noses back in front.

EAST FREMANTLE                      3-1          6-3      7-8      12-12      (84)
PERTH                                         5-2          7.4      7.7         8.7       (55)

GOALS: A. Punch 2, D.Smith 2, J. Bereyne 1, Z. Hill 1, K. Phillips 1, R. Polak 1.

BEST: K Phillips, C Jones, C Chivers, R Polak, J Levien, J Scaddan-Blair.