Royals victorious over South Fremantle

EAST Perth join Subiaco as the only other unbeaten team after three rounds, following a 75-point, 20.8 (128) to 8.5 (53), victory over South Fremantle on Friday night at Fremantle Oval.

After South Fremantle kicked the first goal of the game, the Royals took an advantage at every change, (two points at quarter time, 32 points at half time and 50 points at three quarter time) to run out victors in the club's first win at the oval since Round 13, 2012.

The experienced hands of East Perth co-captain Craig Wulff led the midfield with 34 possessions, eight clearances, five inside 50s and a goal.

Josh Smith booted four goals in another dominant display (Smith’s kicked ten goals in three rounds). While small forward, Josh Hill added three and Dom Sheed, Fraser McInnes and Scott Lycett kicked two. Mitch Fraser, Nathan Blee, Ash Smith, Mark Hutchings, Sam Butler and Brett Dobson finished with a goal each.

Kyle Anderson and Steven Payne marked their 50^th game milestones for the Royals with another notable performance. Anderson proved again to be one of the premier backmen of the WAFL keeping South Fremantle forward Ben Saunders to just one goal, while, Payne finished the game with 19 possessions and two inside 50s.

The rucking duo of Paul Johnson and Scott Lycett took a 48-32 advantage in ground hitouts. With James Sellar out with a knee injury for South Fremantle, former Royal, Brock Higgins, was given a huge task in the ruck, but battled well finishing with 20 hit outs and seven inside-50 entries.

Nathan Blee had 29 touches, four inside 50s and a goal in another notable display upon his return from a season in the AFL system. 

Ashton Hams, a dual South Fremantle premiership player, finished with 33 possessions and nine clearances. Hayden Schloithe worked hard with 28 possessions, eight clearances and a goal and Josh Pullman kicked his first two goals for the club from 13 possessions and four marks for the Bulldogs.

Meanwhile, two players who will be vying for a spot in the coming months for the Royals will be co-captain Brendan Lee and Garry Moss.

Moss is returning from a knee reconstruction last year and was a runner for the league side on Friday night. While, Lee is recovering from a badly broken finger suffered in the pre-season.

East Perth will face West Perth in the Grand Final rematch on Saturday afternoon.

Reserves

The Reserves remain unbeaten at the top of the table after a 16.7 (103) to 6.11 (47) win.

In the top of the table clash the Royals dominated with a 56 point victory.

For the Royals Michael Rimbas kicked three, while Steven Wityk, Dylan Main, Marcus Ruggiero and Will Maginness had two. Hughes, Ims, Hodgson, Hart and Bradshaw kicked one each.

Maginness had 31 possessions, Shanahan (25), Locantro (22) and Hart (20).

Colts

The Colts have suffered their second loss of the 2014 season with a, 6.6 (42) to 13.7 (85), 43 point defeat on Saturday.

Jack Gare kicked two goals in the loss, with Hille, Decke and Anderson all with the one.