Royals claim victory in clash with Perth

EAST Perth join Swan Districts, thanks to a handy percentage boost, on top of the WAFL ladder, following an 80-point, 22.8 (140) to 9.6 (60), victory over Perth at Lathlain on Saturday.

The Royals led by 15-points at quarter time, before it was game over for the Demons as East Perth piled on 10 goals to one to lead by 64 points at the main break. They kicked another eight goals to four in the second half, sealing the Club’s equal biggest win of the year.

Wingman, Freddie Clutterbuck who continued his good form, kicking two goals and gathering 28 touches for the Royals, spoke of the importance of the Club building upon momentum. East Perth hold a 8-2 record after 11 Rounds.

“We’re getting a lot more consistent, I think we were a bit up and down at the start of the year, but as we gelled together with the West Coast blokes, obviously the East Perth blokes adjusting to a new game style, it’s all sort of coming together”, he said.

“I think the exciting thing is that we’ve got heaps of improvement left as well. It’s certainly not a finished product, us yet, we’ll keep working on it and hopefully peak in September I suppose”.

Clutterbuck, said that the break came at the right time, particularly for his own form.

“It was good to get a bit of a break there because we played eight games straight first up. We had the double bye, which was good and got the body feeling right over the break. Since then I’ve felt really good physically, the game’s come along and the team’s playing some good footy, so it’s all worked out well and hopefully the run continues”, he said.

Clutterbuck named fellow midfielder Steven Payne as a player that has stood out, averaging 24 disposals and kicking nine goals for the season.

“Steven Payne’s been really good for us, his fitness and running ability. He just racks up the possessions and he’s really important for us”, he said.

“Without Craig Wulff, our other captain, Brendan Lee has been really good as well. He’s a good leader and he’s good in tight situations, he’s able to get the clearances and gets the momentum up for us from the start”.

Payne gathered 26 disposals and kicked two goals against the Demons, while Lee had 27 possessions, four tackles and four inside 50s.

The rucking combination of Callum Sinclair, Paul Johnson and Scott Lycett proved again pivotal in East Perth’s game plan.

Sinclair kicked six goals to go with 21 possessions and 17 hit outs. Lycett had 14 hit outs, 17 possessions and booted two goals, while Johnson provided a big bodied presence around the ground with 10 hit outs and two goals from 11 possessions.

Ash Smith also booted three goals for the Royals with Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls another of five Royals to kick two goals.

Pat McGinnity, Josh Hill and Fraser McInnes kicked a goal each.

Following Clutterbuck, Lee and Payne, Dom Sheed had 25 touches, Will Maginness (23), Smith (21), Nathan Blee (20) and McGinnity (20).

East Perth face South Fremantle who are coming off a bye at Medibank Stadium this Saturday. 

The last time the two teams met, East Perth ran out convincing 75-point winners at Fremantle Oval and Clutterbuck is hopeful that a similar performance could be on the cards.

“Hopefully we keep our form like we did against them last time. 

“South Fremantle, they’re a very dangerous side they’ve got some really good players in Cook and Hams, very senior players, so if we get on top of them early, hopefully we can continue our momentum this Saturday”, he said.

RESERVES

Reserves continued their good form finishing, 14.17 (101) to 12.8 (80), 21-point winners on Saturday.

Matt Gordon kicked four goals, Steven Wityk kicked three, while Lewis Wilson booted two goals. Garry Moss, Dean Cadwallader, Matt Blackley, Jackson Slater and Alex Vernon kicked singles.

Mitch Howlett had 35 possessions, Moss (25), Slater (24) and Karpany (21).

COLTS

Tony Kalimeris, Zach Dent, Tarir Bayok, Jack Hick, Jake Anderson, Luke Hutchins and Tom Gorter kicked a goal each in the Colts, 7.7 (49) to 11.6 (72) loss. 

Dent had 29 disposals, Shayne Hille (26), Kalimeris (24) and Zambotto (20).