DEMONS PUSH FALCONS UNTIL THE END

DEMONS PUSH FALCONS UNTIL THE END

By Mark Thornber

Round 3, Perth v West Perth

At Arena Joondalup, Saturday 5 April 2014

Perth                           2.3       7.3       12.4      13.7      85

West Perth                  2.2       8.7       11.8      15.13    103

Perth pushed the reigning Premiers all the way as the Falcons finally broke free in the last 10 minutes of the match to win by 18 points at Arena, Joondalup on Saturday.

Perth Captain Paul Bevan won the important toss of the coin and chose to kick with a strong breeze to the northern end of the ground. It was the home side though that scored the first two goals of the match in the opening minutes and threatened to run away with the match.

The Demons kicked their first goal at the 15 minute mark of the tern through Bevan and then Cale Morton soon followed up with his side’s second. At the first change it was Perth who led by a point.

The second quarter saw West Perth jump out of the blocks early through some good midfield work of Shane Nelson and the class of former West Coast Eagle Andrew Strijk. The Falcons went out to 19 point lead and the signs were not looking good for Perth.

The Demons lifted their tempo at the half way mark of the term largely through the ever reliable and hard work of Dene White and Jarrod Morton, who was well on top in the backline.

Perth kicked some quick goals through Bevan and a clever left foot snap by Daniel O’Sullivan, and when Reece Richardson goaled right on half time Perth had decreased the Falcon’s lead to 10 points.

The third term was always going to be an important one for Perth as they knew they had to make their last use of a strengthening breeze. In the opening seconds Brennan Stack kicked a great snap and this was soon followed by O’Sullivan’s second major that put the Demons in front.

In a tight third term it was goal for goal as West Perth soon responded whenever Perth edged in front. With the Falcons now in front close to three quarter time Callum Collard kicked a wonderful goal and then Bevan booted his 5^th to put the Demons in front by 2 points at the last change.

Coming home with the breeze West Perth hit the front early in the last quarter as both side’s found scoring goals difficult with both backline’s well on top. Collard bobbed up to put the Demons in front at the 20 minute mark much to the delight of the Perth faithful.

However this did not last long as the Falcons responded to their home crowd and kicked the next 3 goals in the final 10 minutes of the match to seal a hard fought 18 point victory.

In the end Perth were very brave in defeat but simply had no one to close down Srijk, who was a major difference between the two side’s kicking 3 goals.

None played better for Perth than Dene White with 27 touches and Jarrod Morton with 26. Bevan played a wonderful Captain’s game booting 5 majors and Ugle continued to show he is a real class player, and Hayden Busher enjoyed his return to the league side collecting 22 possessions in defence.

Next week Perth has a bye and then returns to Lathlain Park to play the Black and Whites on Easter Sunday.

Goals: Bevan 5, Collard, O’Sullivan 2, Keast, Richardon, C. Morton, Stack 1.

Best: White, J. Morton, Bevan, Ugle, Busher, Risol.