Demons too good for arch rivals at home

A best-on-ground effort from midfielder Clinton Jones helped the Demons record their second victory of the season with a 41 point win over arch rivals Swan Districts at Lathlain Park.

Perth’s win was built on the dominance of Jones in the midfield and around the ground, as the 32-year old collected an incredible 47 disposals, which included seven marks, four tackles, three inside fifties and a goal.

Thanks to Jones, the Demons outclassed the Swans throughout the contest, closing out the 14.11 (95) to 8.6 (54) win in the second half.

Following last week’s 77-point loss to the Thunder, the Demons were looking to get the early break over their opponents in relatively fine conditions. The commitment to the contest from both sides couldn’t be questioned in the opening minutes after a clash between Perth forward Matt Thompson and Swans ruckman Troy Yukich saw both players leave in discomfort.

Yukich came back later in the stanza to do battle with Demons ruckman Angus Graham for the rest of the match, but Thompson sat out due to concussion.

The Demons got off to the ideal start with the first three goals of the game from Lachlan Dennis and Kristian Cary, until the Swans managed to draw the margin to 11 points at quarter-time with goals to Tony Notte and Matthew Rogers.

Callum Walley and Liam McKenna kicked the first two goals of the quarter to assert the home side’s authority on the contest, but the Swans continued to scrap with the home side, trailing at half-time by 25 points.

Swans fans started to get some belief in a potential comeback after an early goal to Nelson Ansey and early possession of the ball, until Perth big men Angus Graham and Samuel Garstone combined in the forward to kick three goals between them for the quarter, extending the margin to 30 halfway through the third term.

Garstone kicked three goals for the game, playing as a tall option in the forward line in place of Spencer White, who returned through the reserves to kick a couple of goals after nursing a foot injury.

The result beyond doubt early in the final term with a goal from Jones in the pocket, as the Demons kicked four goals to two to seal a comfortable 41-point win at home.

Jones was not alone in his side’s quest for their second win of the season, with midfielders Julian Jacobs (36 disposals including fourteen marks and nine inside fifties), Liam McKenna (32), Aidan Tropiano (29 and seven tackles) and Zac Fisher (27) all getting their hands on the ball, along with the tireless efforts from ruckman Angus Graham (44 hit-outs and two goals).

The Swans didn’t have a vast spread of contributors compared to their opponents, as Freddie Clutterbuck and Matt Riggio both had 31 disposals and five inside fifties each, along with Adam Faulkner (29 disposals) and Tony Notte (three goals).

The colts continued their winning ways with a 20-point win to remain top of the table, and the reserves notched their second win in as many weeks with a 24-point win.

Perth venture to ATOM Stadium next Saturday to take on East Fremantle, with bouncedown at 2.15pm.

TOTAL

PERTH                                     4.1       7.4       10.6     14.11 (95)

SWAN DISTRICTS                   2.2       3.3       6.6       8.6 (54)

GOALS

PERTH: S Garstone 3, C Walley 2, A Graham 2, K Cary 2, L Dennis 1, Z Fisher 1, J Jacobs 1, C Jones 1, L McKenna 1.

SWAN DISTRICTS: T Notte 3, N Ansey 2, M Rogers 1, M Jukes 1, B Sutton 1.

BEST

PERTH: C Jones, L McKenna, J Jacobs, A Graham, Z Fisher, M Sinclair, L Marlin

SWAN DISTRICTS: F Clutterbuck, A Howard, M Rogers, A Faulkner, M Riggio, G Logue

UMPIRES: M Worobec, A Martin, L Jago

CROWD: 1600 (approx) at Lathlain Park.