Royals Wrap Up Round 21

East Perth will have to play boldly and bravely for the last two games of the season, after a frustrating loss to Subiaco on the weekend. 

Despite being on par with the Lions for most of the game, the Royals were outplayed in the second half and couldn’t stop an explosive Subiaco forward line led by Liam Ryan and Hamish Shepheard.

The Royals matched Subiaco in the first quarter with both sides only managing one major each. Mitchell Lague backed himself and booted a nice set shot from outside 50. Subiaco didn’t make the most of their opportunities going forward but their offensive pressure set the tone for the rest of the match.

Samuel Powell-Pepper and Jack Redden teamed up for a nice goal in the second term. Powell-Pepper laid on a brilliant tackle in the goal square for Redden to then pick up the loose ball and kick it through for his first major. Patrick McGinnity then went back and slotted through another goal for the Royals. But Subiaco’s forwards made the most of their opportunities putting on three majors to lead them by the halftime break.

The third quarter was the make or break quarter for both sides and unfortunately the Lions stepped up to the challenge. Turnovers and mistakes in the corridor hurt East Perth and Subiaco played most of the third term in their forward half. The Royals rebounded a bit in the fourth quarter with quick goals to Corey Adamson and Jonathon Giles but it wasn’t enough to catch-up to the Lions unstoppable forward scoreboard pressure.

The final score was East Perth 6.10 46 to Subiaco 9.14 68.

East Perth take on South Fremantle at Medibank Satdium this weekend. If the Royals can get four points this weekend they are still in with a chance to play finals football.