Round 1: PFC v WCE Match Review

PERTH 16.13 (109) defeated WEST COAST EAGLES 9.9 (63)

Perth started the season in stellar form with a resounding 46-point victory at Mineral Resources Park over the West Coast Eagles.

The Eagles did begin their life as a WAFL standalone team kicking the first two goals courtesy of Jake Waterman and Xavier O'Neill, but the Demons took command from there starting with their first goal to Sam Garstone.

Garstone kicked three majors in the first term and Perth were nine points up at the first change.

Perth's lead then grew to 20 points after the first two second term goals from Michael Bennell and Shaun Smith. West Coast did respond with a couple of their own through Waterman and Bailey Williams which had them only five points down at half-time.

It was goal for goal for the first 20 minutes of the third quarter until Bennell kicked the last two of the term to put Perth 20 points in front at the last change.

Smith's second and one to former skipper Clint Jones stretched Perth's lead to 32 points to start the final term and the Demons went on to win 16.13 (109) to 9.9 (63).

Michael Bennell made the most of his chances for Perth kicking four goals from seven kicks while Brent Edmonds enjoyed his new role in attack kicking four goals. Sam Garstone kicked those three first quarter goals too with Shaun Smith booting two.

Clint Jones racked up 29 possessions for Perth with reigning fairest and best winner Brant Colledge gathering 25 to go with 10 tackles and seven marks.

Michael Sinclair finished with 22 possessions, Lachlan Dennis 22, Corey Yeo 21 and Matthew Taylor 20.

Christian Eyres performed well in the ruck for the Demons with 17 touches, 23 hit outs, five tackles and four marks.