Round 13, Perth v East Fremantle
East Fremantle Oval
Saturday, 13 June 2011
Perth 2.0 5.2 8.4 10.8 68
East Fremantle 3.2 3.4 7.7 13.7 85
East Fremantle’s experienced and seasoned players held firm to hold off a determined Perth side in a highly competitive match to win by 17 points at East Fremantle Oval on Saturday.
The Shark’s went into the match boasting a powerful midfield of both current and former AFL listed players. Kicking into the wind at the Canning Highway end it was Perth that showed more determination early on.
Andrew McDougall started well in the centre square and was receiving good support from Aaron Elari and Ross Young. The returning Justin Bollenhagen dribbled through the Demon’s first goal at the 8 minute mark.
The Shark’s responded with a quick goal of their own, however it was certainly a game that was seeing both defences well on top as both side’s found scoring opportunities difficult to come by.
At quarter time Perth did well to hold East Fremantle to 3 goals 2 and scoring 2 goals themselves into a gusty breeze.
The second quarter commenced well for the visitors as Moody slotted through his first major to level the match. Subiaco recruit Julian Jacobs was enjoying a really productive term roaming far and wide to pick up some important touches.
For the Sharks though they were receiving plenty of midfield drive from Fremantle Docker Rhys Palmer along with former AFL stars Mark McGough and Jamie McNamara. Perth’s defence was holding up well with Aaron Zucconi and Brett Hodge combining well in the backline.
The pacy Scott Siekierka ran off half back not once but twice to kick consectitive long goals with the wind behind him to give Perth the lead. After a hard running second quarter that saw Perth kick 3 goals 2 to their opponents 2 points they went into half time with a 10 point lead.
The second half didn’t start well for Perth after Brock O’Brien broke free to kick 2 quick goals in the space of 5 minutes to regain the lead for the Sharks. Just when East Fremantle looked like gaining full momentum of the match McDougall drifted forward to convert Perth’s 6th goal and keep them in touch.
McDougall was enjoying an excellent game and was proving a difficult big man to match up on. The third term was again an absorbing one with neither side being able to break away. At the 20 minute mark of the match Bollenhagen snapped a wonderful goal to excite all Perth supporters.
The Sharks then responded back with a goal to Leith Teakle. Just seconds from three quarter time Moody now playing across Half Back broke away to set up a free running Michael Florio, who sprinted forward to put Perth in front by 3 points at the last change.
With the Demons 3 points in front and coming home with the scoring end the match appeared to be set up for an absorbing finish. Unfortutaly for the Demons the Sharks kicked the first goal to regain the lead.
Jarrod kayler-Thomson then converted truly from a free kick to put the visitors back in front at the 10 minute mark. With the previously strong breeze now dropping off East Fremantle turned to their experienced brigade led by Palmer to slowly take control of the stoppages.
With the match now on the line a dubious out of bounds decision went against Perth as did a 50 metre penalty against McDougall as the Sharks began to break away on the scoreboard. East Fremantle pulled down a couple of strong marks to McNamara and Selby Lee-Steere, who both kicked truly to now see the home side well in front.
To Perth’s credit they did go down fighting with Moody kicking a late goal, however the margin to the Shark’s was 17 points.
In the end it was really a case of the home side using their experience over a young Perth team that certainly gave the game their all.
McDougall was outstanding all day for Perth to finish with 23 possessions and 27 hitouts in a good lead up to next week’s State match. Jacobs had a great match with 27 touches as did Young with 26.
Siekierka and Tedesco both played well rebounding off half back and set up many attacking moves. The Demons will be desperate to receive some much needed height in weeks to follow with Damon White, Joel Houghton and Chris Billings all due to return from injury.
Next week all WAFL teams have a bye as WA take on Queensland in the State game.
Goals: Moody, Bollenhagen, Siekierka 2, Busher, Kayler-Thomson, Florio, McDougall 1.
Best: McDougall, Young, Jacobs, Elari, Siekierka, Tedesco.
Reserves:
Score: Perth 13.15 93 defeated East Fremantle 13.14 92.
Goals: Fry 4, Edwards, Rogers 2, Billings, Hansen, Mather, Smith, Murray 1.
Best: Leeson, Della-Bosca, Whyte, Hansen, Venditti, Fry.
Colts:
Score: East Fremantle 11.10 76 defeated Perth 6.13 49,
Goals: Tough 3, Garlett, Kickett, Moody 1.
Best: Lloyd, Stuart, Boyle, Kent, Kalajzic, Tough.
Round 12, Perth v Peel
Bendigo Bank Stadium
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Perth 5.2 7.4 11.5 14.10 94
Peel 2.3 6.5 15.5 16.8 104
Perth paid the price for one poor quarter of football as Peel Thunder kicked away in a 9 goal third term to win a close match by 10 points at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.
Perth kicked with the use of a slight breeze in the first quarter. Andrew McDougall started the match where he finished off from last week and was clearly providing his side with an advantage in the centre square.
Nick Kane, who was playing in defence drifted forward to kick the Demon’s first goal at the 3 minute mark. The Thunder soon responded with a goal of the own from through Bradley Holmes.
The match was very even with both defences well on top at the half way point of the term. Matthew Moody bobbed up to kick consectitive majors to provide the visitors with a mini break. Then on the stroke of quarter time Jarrod Kayler-Thomson bombed away from 65 metres to bounce through a wonderful running goal.
At quarter time Perth broke away to lead by 17 points after booting 5 goals 2 to 2 goals 3.
The second term saw the Thunder slowly chip away at Perth’s lead as they used their height advantage especially deep in attack. The West Coast Eagles listed player Scott Lycett was causing headaches for an overworked Perth backline.
Kayler – Thomson snapped a clever goal to bring up his side’s 6th major and then Scott Siekierka ran hard off half back to set up Hayden Busher who converted.
From about the 20 minute mark of the second term though it was all the Thunder as the likes of former Demon Brendon Jones and the Eagles Brad Ebert gained the ascendancy around the stoppages.
Three late goals to the home side including a wonderful long snap from Lycett from deep on the boundary line saw Perth’s lead reduced to only 5 points at the main break.
The third quarter saw a goal within minutes of the start as a vocal home crowd started to become involved. With the Thunder now in front Brendon Jones was in total control around the packs and Lycett along with Ryan Herring both kicked 2 quick goals.
Peel was simply surging forward at all costs as Perth’s backline tried desperately to hold them out. Peel kicked an incredible 9 goals straight and unfortunately for Perth supporters had the match in complete control.
In a long quarter lasting 35 minutes Dene White managed 2 late goals, however a large amount of damage had already been done on the scoreboard.
The Thunder kicked 9 goals to 4 to now lead by 4 goals at three quarter time.
To have any chance the Demons had to kick early goals and when Young kicked a goal on the run in the opening minutes Perth were still in the match. The Thunder though soon responded to further dent Perth’s chances as a real upset looked likely.
Perth through Simon Horner in the ruck and McDougall forward in a desperate attempt to provide some much needed marking targets. Young who was quiet in the first three quarters was now playing like a man possessed and through himself into everything.
Joel Leeson snapped truly and when Matthew Rogers came off the bench to kick a great running goal the match again tightened up as Perth were now within 2 goals.
The final minutes of the last term were frantic and with only moments to go Busher missed a difficult shot at goal and Moody was continually double teamed with Perth surging forward.
In the end though Peel hung on to win a close match by 10 points with Perth looking back on a poor third quarter that really cost them the match.
McDougall was clearly Perth’s best player and finished with 25 disposals and 34 hit outs. Elari had another good match picking up 24 touches and was a real in and under player all day for his side.
Kayler-Thomson also played a consistent game finishing with 2 goals and Young finished the game strongly after a slow start.
Next week Perth plays East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval as they battle to stay in touch with the top four.
Goals: Moody 3, Kayler-Thomson, White 2, McDougall, Young, Busher, Rogers, Leeson, Horner, Kane.
Best: McDougall, Busher, Elari, Young, Kayler-Thomson, Tedesco.
Reserves:
Score: Perth 16.15 111 defeated Peel 6.5 41.
Goals: Fry, Hansen 3, Brennan, Murray 2, Donovan, Edwards, Bollenhagen, Welburn, De Jongh, Eyres 1.
Best: Venditti, Fiegert, Edwards, De Jongh, Brennan, Mather.
Colts:
Score: Peel 8.17 65 defeated Perth 7.13 55.
Goals: Yarran 4, Garlett 2, Fleay 1.
Best: Stuart, Kalajzic, Vlasich, Boyle, Yarran, Chrimes
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