Reserves notch first win of season

Aaron Ballantyne’s first foray as Head Coach of the Reserves ended with a win on Saturday, as his side produced a dominant display over Perth.

The Royals led at every change to secure the 9.8 (62) to 4.7 (31) victory.

“The way we moved the footy was a lot better. We were pretty happy with that and I thought our pressure was good as well,” Ballantyne told eastperthfc.com.au.

“We put a real focus on wanting to have the ball in our front half as much as possible so our forwards and our mids have to put really good pressure on and I thought they did that.

“I thought we owned most of the game, performed strongly for four quarters and got the job done.”

Ballantyne spent three seasons as a line coach with East Perth’s Colts team, and was the 16s Head Coach at Peel Thunder last year. After originally applying for the vacant Colts coach position after the departure of Garry Moss at the end of 2019, it was a welcome surprise for Ballantyne to be offered the Reserves role.

“Looking back, it’s probably the best move the club could have made. You need to promote your coaches from within. I think it was a really smart and positive move getting DC (Daniel Curtis) into that role.

“I got a phone call from the club saying I was unsuccessful there but that I needed to ring (CEO) Dean Turner. I remember Dean used to only get you to ring him if you were in trouble so I didn’t know what was going on.

“I gave Dean a call and Dean asked if I’d consider being the Reserves Head Coach. He was happy with the way I interviewed, so I took the role. I’m really loving it under Barney (Jeremy Barnard) and the other boys. I’m learning a lot every day.”

As players push their case for league selection, and with younger players coming through the talent pathway, Ballantyne said he was focused on finding the right balance, but conceded that recurrent changes to the team line-up would be inevitable.

“We expect changes most weeks at our level. Whether that’s guys coming in from the amateurs or some of the young Colts progressing through to the senior program for 2021. And then, managing the guys that come back (from the League team).

“My simple message with them has always been that we’re here to help them get back into League calculations and the League side. We’ll give them every chance to play their role, perform their role and hopefully push for League selection straight away.”

Saturday will mark East Perth’s first home game of the season and presents an opportunity for all grades to impress on its home deck at Leederville Oval.

“You looked around Lathlain last week and that outer side was full of black and blue, which was great to see. It felt a bit like a home game, to be honest.

“It’s really important to get off to a good start. It’s such a short season, from a Reserves point of view, to go 2-0 it’d be a really strong start. 

“For the League side to be able to level the ledger and push forward, I think it’s a really good reason to come down and have a look. Hopefully we can make the fans proud this week.”

RESERVES – ROUND 2 RESULTS via WAFL.com.au:

PERTH 0.2 2.4 2.5 4.7  (31)
defeated by
EAST PERTH 4.2 5.3 8.5 9.8  (62)

GOALS
PERTH: Roe, Martin, Peletier, McFarlane 1
EAST PERTH: Turner, Begovich 2;  McGuire, C Ameduri, Underwood, Sparks, Furlong

BEST
PERTH: Stubbs, Sing, Brogan-Henry, Mercer, Henderson, B Gray
EAST PERTH: Hart, J Ameduri, Turner, Abbott