Top Moments of 2014

The 2014 WAFL premiership season was a roller-coaster ride for East Perth and although it was not our year, there were many memorable moments that kept Royals fans on their toes and left plenty to look forward to as we head into season 2015.

Here's our choice of the 2014 season. 

LEE’S 100TH

2014 was a year of reward for Busselton’s Brendan Lee. The co-captain not only celebrated his 100^th league game with a big win over Perth at Lathlain Park in Round 21, but he also was given the honour of captaining the state in their huge victory over the NEAFL in Sydney in May.

MOSS RETURNS

Nothing made East Perth fans happier in 2014 than the return of one of their own. Garry Moss’ 2013 was cut short after suffering an ACL injury and missing the grand final. But a determined Mossy, bided his time in the reserves building up match fitness and returned to the league side in the July win over South Fremantle at Medibank Stadium. Unfortunately for Moss just six games later he was again sidelined with a finger injury.

PAYNE CLAIMS BOOK MEDAL

Steven Payne took his football to elite levels on the wing this season and was rewarded in October when the 24-year-old claimed the FD Book Medal. Payne averaged 25 possessions a game in 2014 and only three times did he slip under 20 with highs of 35 in Round 21, 32 in Round 10, 32 in Round 18 and 30 in Round 7.

THE DEBUTANTS

There were five local debutants in 2014 for the Royals. Steven Wityk, Jackson Slater, Julian Ameduri, Beau Chatley and Tom Shanahan all played their first senior game this season. 19-year old, Tom Shanahan (three games), was a standout, kicking two goals from 13 possessions in his debut against Perth in Round 21. 

FOUNDATION DAY DERBY 

Foundation Day football set up another blockbuster clash between bitter foes East Perth and West Perth. West Perth were at the beginning of their spiral down the ladder as East Perth were beginning to hit their stride towards 10 in a row. The Royals trailed all day and were three points behind at the final change in glorious conditions at Arena Joondalup. An inspired last quarter of four goals to one had the Royals charging home to a 16-point win against the Falcons.

The Reserves also claimed a magnificent 4-point win in the dying seconds of the match.

MILESTONE MEN

2014 was a year of player milestones for East Perth. Along with Lee, forward Josh Smith also celebrated 100 WAFL games with 20 of those as a Falcon. Local players Kyle Anderson, Steven Payne and Brett Dobson saw out their 50^th game early on in the season, while Blayne Wilson, Scott Lycett and Fraser McInnes also made the half century.

WET AND WILD AGAINST WEST PERTH

East Perth was dealt a difficult draw at the majority of home matches in 2014 where weather was concerned and Round 18 was no different. Torrential rain turned the oval into a swamp as the Royals overcame the Falcons keeping them to one goal for three quarters. For the record, West Perth finished 2.6 (18) to East Perth’s 5.9 (39) in tough conditions.