Demons Record Consecutive Pulsating Win

PERTH held on for more than ten minutes in the final quarter to defeat Claremont for the second time this season, this time by four points at the Claremont Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon.

The Demons notched their second win in as many weeks on the back of their victory against flag-favourites East Fremantle last weekend, cementing themselves seventh on the ladder with five wins for 2016.

The win was even more significant for the Demons, who were missing captain Dene White (back) and Angus Graham (hand) through injuries, and also lost defender Jared Bell to a knee injury in the early stages of the match. The injury is believed to be not serious.

The midfield brigade of Aidan Tropiano, Clinton Jones, Julian Jacobs and a spirited defensive effort in the last quarter were all significant factors in Perth’s victory, with the Demons getting the better of the home side across the ground.

Perth were harder at the contest and marginally more polished with their disposal, as well as winning the majority of the important match-ups.

Claremont started the match with the slightest of breezes, and kicked two of the first three goals of the contest.

Perth’s efforts were strong unquestionable in the first quarter but wasted their opportunities, kicking just 1.7 for the term.

But the Demons won the momentum back in the second quarter kicking five goals to two, with Brennan Stack kicking two for the term.

Stand-in captain Aidan Tropiano was having a profound impact in the midfield in the first half, collecting 17 possessions to half-time including a goal from a free kick during the second term.

However the Tigers refused to give in, kicking the first two goals of the quarter inside six minutes through Francis Watson and Ben Higgs.

The momentum swung between both sides at differing stages throughout the quarter, but Ryan Lim’s snap at goal at the 27^th minute mark pegged the margin back to just seven points, giving the Tigers faithful reason to believe heading into the final quarter.

Jack Richardson kicked a goal for the Tigers at the five minute mark of the final term to bring the scores level for the first time since the opening stages of the game.

The Tigers hit the lead by a point momentarily until Julian Jacobs’ goal at the eight minute mark put the visitors back in front.

There was another plot twist to come, with Darcy Cameron taking a strong contested grab two minutes later to put the Tigers back in front by a point.

The Demons continued to fight on and run the ball out of half-back, and when Spencer White took a strong contested mark in the forward line, he kicked truly in his return to football to put the Demons up by four points.

The Tigers pressed on and had numerous inside fifty entries in the final ten minutes of the game, but the Demons defended tirelessly to hang on and win by four points.

The Demons were led by 20-year-old Lennon Marlin in the final term, who had moments of brilliance with his dash and distribution off the half-back line and countless defensive efforts in the dying stages to ensure his side hung on for their fifth win for the season.

Perth’s ability to win crucial match-ups across the ground also proved to be a significant factor in the win.

Cody Leggett, who kicked seven goals against the Sharks last week, made the switch to an on-baller role to negate the influence of Claremont on-baller Jye Bolton, who had just 20 possessions and little impact in the middle of the ground.

Marlin and fellow defender Brent Latch both had the better of Tigers key forwards Darcy Cameron and Beau Maister, with the two combining for just two goals for the match.

Tropiano was one of the best afield for the Demons with 32 possessions including seven inside fifty entries. The stand-in captain was assisted by fellow midfielders Clinton Jones (37 possessions and eight tackles), Michael Sinclair (23), Julian Jacobs (21 and nine marks), and Cody Leggett and Liam McKenna (20 apiece).

Thomas Ledger was a shining light for the Tigers with 33 possessions, while Jake Murphy (31), Jared Hardisty (23) and Ryan Lim (21) also performed admirably for Claremont.

The colts lost just their second game of the season on the weekend going down by 18 points, and the reserves went down by 27 points.

The demons will be looking to win their third game in a row next Saturday afternoon against Subiaco, with bounce down at 2.15pm.

TOTAL

PERTH                         1.7       6.12     8.15     10.16 (76)

CLAREMONT              3.1       4.2       9.2       11.6 (72)

GOALS

PERTH: B Stack 2, A Tropiano 1, C Jones 1, L Wilkins 1, K Cary 1, J Jacobs 1, S White 1, C Leggett 1, L Marlin 1.

CLAREMONT: R Lim 2, I Richardson 2, C Oakley 1, B Maister 1, D Cameron 1, K Yu 1, B Higgs 1, F Watson 1, J Richardson 1.

BEST

PERTH: A Tropiano, L Marlin, C Leggett, B Latch, C Jones, M Sinclair, B Stack

CLAREMONT: T Ledger, H Busher, J Beeck, R Lim, J Murphy

INJURIES

PERTH: J Bell (knee)

UMPIRES: A Martin, C McCann, B Evans

CROWD: 1100 (approx) at Claremont Showgrounds