Demons second half not enough at Shark Park

Perth’s second-half fight back was not enough to see them over the line against East Fremantle, going down by 39 points at ATOM Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In a match which got heated at various stages, East Fremantle got the fast break in the first half until Perth pegged the home side back to win the second half.

Both sides were coming off wins from the previous week, as the Demons looked to record consecutive wins for the first time this year, whereas the Sharks welcomed back captain Jamie McNamara back from injury.

McNamara had a profound impact on the game, kicking five goals in the forward line, as well as taking one of the marks of the year in the first quarter.

McNamara helped his side to an early three goal lead within the first ten minutes of the match, as the goals flowed throughout the quarter.

The Sharks took a 29-point lead into quarter-time, and extended their lead to 41 points early in the second term with two goals in the opening three minutes.

The Demons worked their way back into the contest with Samuel Garstone, Callum Walley and Kristian Cary all kicking goals to close the margin back to within striking distance.

But costly errors by Perth defenders undid all of their good work as the Sharks kicked the last four goals of the term to lead by 41 points at the main change.

Goals dried up in the third term with both sides kicking two goals apiece as tempers threatened to boil over at different stages, with both sides ending up on the end of down-the-field free kicks which resulted in goals.

The Demons finished the match on a positive note by winning the second half after winning the third term by a point and the fourth by a goal.

However it was East Fremantle’s first half that set up the 16.12 (108) to 10.9 (69) victory as they continued their hot run of form.

George Hampson was dominant for the Sharks with four goals and 30 disposals, along with six inside fifties.

He was ably assisted by Brock O’Brien (37 disposals which included 21 marks), Sean Henson (26), Jayden Schofield, Dion Anthony and Ryan Lester-Smith (22 a piece).

For the Demons, Aidan Tropiano worked tirelessly to keep his side in the game with 33 disposals and a goal, along with Julian Jacobs (32 and nine inside fifties), Clinton Jones (31), and Liam McKenna (27).

In positive news for Demons fans, League captain Dene White made a successful return from injury in the reserves with 23 disposals and two goals.

The reserves went down by 28 points earlier in the day and colts will head into the bye undefeated and on top of the ladder after a 33-point win.

Perth will have the bye next weekend but return to Lathlain Park on the 28^th of May against West Perth, with bounce down at 2.15pm.

TOTAL

EAST FREMANTLE      6.5       12.7     14.11   16.12 (108)

PERTH                         2.0       5.3       7.8       10.9 (69)

GOALS

EAST FREMANTLE: J McNamara 5, G Hampson 4, B Peake 3, L Anthony 2, C Eardley 1, B Ellis 1.

PERTH: S Garstone 1, K Cary 1, A Graham 1, A Tropiano 1, C Walley 1, B Wolfenden 1, L Wilkins 1, T Etto 1, M Taylor 1, L Marlin 1.

BEST

EAST FREMANTLE: G Hampson, B O’Brien, S Henson, J McNamara, J Cuneo, J Bristow

PERTH: A Tropiano, C Jones, J Bell, J Jacobs, L McKenna, C Leggett

INJURIES

EAST FREMANTLE: C Eardley (ankle)

CROWD: 1000 (approx) at ATOM Stadium

UMPIRES: T McPhee, C Snadden, R McCaw