Royals survive Lions progress

by LES EVERETT

PERTH turned on a horrible windy, rainy day for the WAFL semi final double header but more than 5000 people braved the conditions to be at Subiaco Oval for the two games.

In the first semi final East Perth kept its fourplay hope alive with a 29 point win over Claremont.

The Royals looked set for an easy win when they established a 26 point lead early in the second quarter but the Tigers fought back to get within a goal at half time.

However with David Swan effecient as ever, Brent Cowell winning in the clinches and Daniel Bromot producing in the forward line East Perth kicked 4.2 to 0.2 in the third quarter to put the result beyond doubt.

Paul Ridley kicked four of East Perth's 11 goals and key forward Brent Tuckey also played well.

Ashley Prescott was a good player for Claremont and defenders Trent Carroll and Greg Harding battled hard.

Conditions were at their worst for the second semi and Subiaco led at each change before running out eight point winners.

However there were plenty of twists and changes in the game. Most dramatic was a three goal burst by Falcon Kim Rigoll in the last quarter which put West Perth more than a goal ahead kicking with the wind and water.

However the Lions steadied with some good work from Luke Toia and two late goals from Allistair Pickett put the result beyond doubt.

Daniel Metropolis was an excellent player for Subiaco at full back opposed to Brendon Fewster and also managed to kick a vital last quarter goal while Chad Cossom, Dane Carmody and Shane Papp were also good players.

Rigoll finished with four goals for West Perth and Clayton Lasscock, Simon Duckworth and Callum Chambers were good players. Youngster Kepler Bradley performed well in the second half.

West Perth and East Perth, last year's grand finalists, will meet in next week's preliminary final.

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