Demons in Stunning Upset

Posted on 25/07/2011

By Mark Thornber

Round 18, Perth v West Perth

At Arena Joondalup

Saturday, 23 July 2011

Perth 5.1 10.5 11.9 19.10 124
West Perth 4.2 5.6 11.8 14.11 95


Perth played some outstanding football including an 8 goal last term to stun ladder leaders West Perth and run out winners by 29 points at the Arena, Joondalup on Saturday.

In overcast conditions, Perth kicked first to the northern end of the ground. It was the Falcons however that scored the first goaling in the opening couple of minutes. Perth certainly were showing huge improvement in the stoppages and centre square from last week.

With Andrew McDougall back to lead the ruck he was clearly starting to bring Ross Young back to his best form. The Demons kicked their first goal at the 4 minute mark through the lively Scott Siekierka.

Second gamer Simon Donovan bobbed up to kick consecutive majors as the visitors opened up a mini break on their opponents. The first quarter wes proving to be a high scoring encounter with the Falcons responding with a couple of goals from Shane Zanetti and Fremantle Docker, Kepler Bradley, who capitalised on a Perth defensive error.

At quarter time Perth held a narrow lead of 5 points after kicking 5 goals 1 to 4 goals 2.

The second term again saw Perth continue to their high work rate. After starting on the bench in order to throw off his usual tag of Jay Van Berlo key play maker Jarrod Kayler-Thomson starting to insert his influence on the match.

Matthew Moody was finding plenty of space up forward for the Demons and when he kicked his side's 6th and 7th major Perth again began to place scoreboard pressure onto their opponents.

Young along with Kayler-Thomson were both dominating across the centre and enjoyed receiving first use of the ball out of the centre square from McDougall. Donovan booted his 3rd major and then Young burst through a pack and slotted a great running goal just before half time.

Perth were also combining well in the backline with both Chris Billings and the returning Aaron Zucconi rebounding well. After another impressive quarter that produced 5 goals to West Perth's 1 the Demons went into the main break with a comfortable lead of 29 points.

After playing some great team football Perth would obviously have been hoping to keep this momentum going into the second half. West Perth though being the good side they are started to get their running game going largely through Captain Jason Salecic.

Within minutes of the second half commencing the Falcons were suddenly full of run and attack. With the home crowd lifting their side quick goals were kicked by Anthony Tsalkis and then another to Zanetti.

Suddenly all the momentum seemed to be with the Falcons and they soon piled on 4 unanswered goals to close within a few points. The centre square was now where the home side was was causing most of the damage.

Against the run of play Moody calmly went back and kicked a great goal from 50 metres to at least temporarily halt the home side's run.

At the three quarter time break, Perth held a slender 1 point lead as the Falcons stormed back in the match to kick 6 goals to 1.

Coach Damien McMahon pleaded with his side not to undo all their good work and finish the match full of run.

The first goal of the last term was always going to be important and it was Perth star Kayler -Thomson who kicked it from a sharp angle. The goal really seemed to lift his team mates as again the momentum of the match appeared to change.

Moody kicked Perth’s 13th major and then this was soon followed by another to a hard working Fiegert. Perth was now 3 goals in front but with plenty of time left and a vocal home crowd they were far from home.

Again as if on cue the home side lifted and looked good when Captain Salecic kicked a long running goal. After another Perth mistake in defence that resulted in a West Perth major the lead had suddenly closed to only 5 points.

Hayden Busher, who had a good match by leading far up the ground as a target marked strongly and converted an important goal to again give Perth some breathing space. The next goal was simply wonderful to watch as Kayler-Thomson superbly palmed the ball down the throat of Matthew Rogers who goaled from the square.

The Demons were now running out the game and had finally shaken off their more fancied opponents. Perth was simply stunning in the final term and goals soon came from the exciting Joel Leeson and another from a great one hand mark from Moody.

After an 8 goal term Perth ran away with the match to win by 29 points. The win was certainly an outstanding team effort and brought much delight to the faithful and loyal Perth supporters.

Best a field was hard to split with Kayler-Thomson (29 possessions) and Young (28 possessions) both having wonderful matches by setting up numerous attacking opportunities for their club.

Fiegert despite making a couple of crucial errors enjoyed his return to league ranks and capped off his hard work with 3 goals. Leeson also returning to the league side played a great match and finished with 23 touches.

Moody was clearly the best forward on the ground booting 5 goals. McDougall rucked well all day and Robinson was solid in the backline all day.

Next week Perth plays South Fremantle at Brownes Stadium and will be desperate to win to keep their finals chances alive.

Goals: Moody 5, Fiegert, Donovan 3, Leeson 2, Rogers, Houghton, Busher, Young, Siekierka, Kayler-Thomson 1.

Best: Young, Kayler-Thomson, Moody, Fiegert, Leeson, Robinson

Reserves:

Score: West Perth 10.8 (68) defeated Perth 9.11 (65)

Goals: Manuel 2, Smith, Ticknell, De Jongh, O'Sullivan, Hansen, Warner, Edwards 1

Best: Venditti, Stearne, Mather, Elari, Ransted, Manuel

Colts:

Score: West Perth 17.14 (116) defeated Perth 6.5 (41)

Goals: Garlett, College 2, Chrimes, Holland 1

Best: Boyle, Jones, Bywaters, Chrimes, Simmons, Richardson

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