Demons Pay Price for Fade Out

Round 12, Perth v Claremont

Lathlain Park, Sunday 14 June 2015

Perth                           3.0       6.2       9.3       13.6      84

Claremont                  4.3       7.6       16.7      20.8      128

Perth paid the price for a poor third quarter that saw Claremont pile on 9 goals as the Tigers ran out winners by 44 points in the annual battle for the Pyke Cup.

In perfect conditions for football it was the Tigers who were on the scoreboard in the opening minute after a goal to Kepler Bradley. Perth soon responded with their first goal to Full Forward Mitch Morton as both side’s started the match in free flowing style.

In an even first term Claremont held a narrow lead of 9 points after kicking 4 goals 3 to 3 goals. The second term saw the extra height advantage of the visitors cause headaches for the Perth backline as Bradley was combining well with Beau Maister well up forward and Mark Seaby was on top in the Ruck.

The usual duo of Adian Tropiano and Dene White were right in the thick of things for Perth, however it was the visitors that opened up a 4 goal lead half way through the quarter.

To the Demon’s credit though they responded as late goals to Jarryd Morton and a clever running major to Brett Wolfenden reduced Claremont’s lead to just 10 points at half time.

The second half started well for Perth with Jarryd Morton kicking his 4^th goal, however this seemed to spark the Tigers into action as a couple of undisciplined free kicks saw Claremont pile on the next 7 consecutive goals to go into three quarter time with a commanding lead.

The last term saw Perth fight the match out with Tropiano gaining plenty of the ball in the midfield as Jarryd Morton was starring up forward to boot his 5^th and 6^th goals in quick succession. The Tigers again steadied though half way through the quarter mainly through the dominance of Seaby in the centre square as both team’s managed 4 goals each in an even tussle in the last term.

Jarryd Morton was outstanding all day for Perth finishing with 7 goals and was again well supported by hard running midfielders Tropiano, who picked up a game high 31 possessions and Captain White, who gathered 28 touches.

Next week Perth returns home to play the Black and Whites.

Goals: J. Morton 7, M. Morton 2, Payne, Leggett, White, Wolfenden 1.

Best: J.Morton, A.Tropiano, M.Morton, White, McKenna, Wolfenden,