Royals Wrap Up Round 23

The Royals have secured a spot in the finals after a convincing win over East Fremantle last weekend at ATOM Stadium.

With both teams playing for fifth spot; the last finals spot at stake; the Royals and Sharks weren’t going to leave anything on the table.

In front of a bellowing crowd on Saturday afternoon, the atmosphere was set for the most anticipated game of the round. Fraser McInness kicked things off for East Perth, snapping the Royals first goal. Rising star Samuel Powell-Pepper cleared the pack and snapped another for East Perth. For most of the first term the Royals were in control.  

East Perth absolutely dominated the second quarter, with small forward Shayne Hille getting onto the scoreboard alongside Patrick McGinnity and Luke Partington. Every time the Royals entered forward 50 they looked dangerous. Their tackling pressure around the ground put the Sharks under the pump. Up the other end of the ground Eric Mackenzie, Mitch Brown and Tim Gorter held the fort and did a fantastic job at limiting the Shark’s goal scoring opportunities. The Sharks struggled to get the ball inside their 50.

Rain blessed the third term and it was hard for either side to get a solid look at the football. Paul Johnson led the ruck and accumulated more hit outs individually than East Fremantle in total. In windy and wet conditions Jordan Snadden kicked an impossible goal from the boundary line against the wind. Malcom Karpany joined the Royals multiple goal-kickers with a nice set shot. But East Fremantle matched the Royals, with both sides kicking two goals aside by the end of the quarter. 

Despite a healthy lead the Royals refused to be complacent and came out even stronger in the last 30 minutes of the game. Powell-Pepper kicked his second whilst Jamie Bennell kicked his first.  Captain Craig Wulff led from the front, taking a couple acrobatic marks and scoring two last quarter goals to seal the game for the Royals.

The final score was East Perth 13.9 87 to East Fremantle 6.3 39.

The Royals will take on Peel at Bendigo Bank Stadium in the first week of finals.

In our other games the Reserves secured top spot on the ladder with a convincing 23 point victory. Lead by 2014 FD Book Medalist Steven Payne who accumulated 37 touches and Tom Curtin kicking 3 goals. It is a fantastic effort from this team to claim the minor premiership. The Reserves will now enjoy the weekend off as they go straight to the Semi Final for a spot in the Grand Final.

Our exciting Colts side have also secured their place in the Finals with a stirring come from behind victory. Facing the same situation as the League whoever won the clash on the weekend secured 5th spot. It was an arm wrestle all day but with two late goals our Colts accomplished a nine point victory. Mitch Dobson’s stand out season continued collecting 24 possessions and a goal.
It was a Super Saturday down at ATOM Stadium on Saturday. Information about finals will be out shortly

Let’s get behind the boys as September footy begins. Go Royals!