Royals Review vs Perth

The Royals won a good old-fashioned scrap against Perth to rise to outright sixth on the WAFL Optus Premiership ladder.

An under-manned but plucky Perth started the better of the teams. Despite having all the play in the first 8 minutes of play, they could only register four behinds. The Royals first serious attacking play ended with a Scott Jones goal.

Both sides struggled for clean possession and ball movement in an ugly contest. Frustrations threatened to boil over a few times in a match that will only add to the rivalry between the two clubs.

Any chance of a repeat of Perth’s last quarter fightback from our earlier clash was snuffed out early in the last with a quick goal to Eddie Simpson. Perth replied through a goal to Edmunds however this was to be the last goal until Tom Edwards-Baldwin stamped the Royals win with a goal after the siren

Scott Jones showed his class winning 33 hit outs whilst taking some crucial marks around the ground. Aiden Lynch was the main benefactor of Jones’ dominance collecting 32 possessions to go with six tackles.

First year player Harley Sparks continued to show he is a player of the future gathering 24 disposals. Recruit Edwards Baldwin was the only multiple goal kicker, bagging three, to be one of the Royals best.

The Reserves held their own against a Perth Reserves side which included a number a regular League players. The Royals were unable to hold onto a slender four-point lead, with Perth kicking with the breeze in the last quarter. Mitch Dobson kicked two and collected 31 touches on his return to football after a lengthy break. The news wasn’t as good for Jaxon Cahill who will go for scans tonight to determine the extent of an upper leg injury. Stan Wright again pushed his claim for a recall gathering 29 possessions.

The Colts welcomed back several players from State duties and produced an emphatic 91-point win against cellar dwellers Perth. Forward Jye Amiss again showed his class kicking six goal. Oscar Armstrong was impressive gathering a game high 23 disposals and kicking two goals. Kade Dittmar continued his good form collecting 20 touches including two goals.

The Royals now turn their attention to Swan Districts as we look to win three in a row for the first time 2018. A win is a must to keep the Royals small chances of finals alive.