Royals blow it

by LES EVERETT

EAST PERTH blew a big chance to resurrect their season when they gave up a comfortable lead late in the last quarter before going down by three points at home to Swan Districts in round seven of the WAFL.

The Royals took control with a five-goal-to-one third quarter and looked to have stolen the game when they slipped away early in the last. However Swans kept coming and excellent work from Brett Robinson and Andrew Krakouer enabled them to get up and grab second spot on the ladder. The pacy Jeffery Garlett was also damaging and local recruit Daniel O'Reiily impressed on debut.

East Perth's best player was ruckman Daniel Jones who took on and beat Nick Natanui and Guy Richards. Andrew Merrington kicked three goals in another strong effort and Tim Noakes also kicked three but his poor kicking late in the game took the shine of his performance.

Top team Subiaco slaughtered Peel by 157 points at the Boulder Oval in a WAFL trip to the country. Brad Smith kicked 10 goals for the Lions and Goldfields boy Kyal Horsely enjoyed the trip home kicking four in a close to best-on-ground performance. Hayden Ballantyne maintained his consistent form for Peel kicking three goals.

At Joondalup West Perth beat East Fremantle by 13 points after leading by 39 at the last change. Callum Chambers was the star for the Falcons and kicked four goals, Mark Seaby played strongly in the ruck but was reported and Kepler Bradley had another good game. Ryley Dunn and Daniel Dalby each kicked three goals and were the best players for the Sharks. East Fremantle has now lost all of their six games for the season.

Perth pulled off the surprise of the round when they kicked 26.11 (167) to beat South Fremantle by 68 points. Kane Ranstead kicked seven goals for the Demons and Josh Krueger got four. James Walker kicked three goals for the Bulldogs.

Next week: Subiaco vs East Perth, Swan Districts vs East Fremantle, Peel vs West Perth, Claremont vs Perth.

The ladder: Subiaco 28; Swan Districts 20; South Fremantle 16; Perth 12; Peel 12; Claremont 8; West Perth 8; East Perth 8; East Fremantle 0.

4 May 2008

If you'd like to comment on this story email us and we'll put your contribution on our new-look letters & comments page.

Disclaimer