Slow start keeps Demons from win

Spalding said although he was pleased with the team's effort, he had mixed emotions about the result. He blamed Perth’s slow start, which allowed the Sharks to have a 10 goal first term, as a significant factor in the result.

In perfect conditions at East Fremantle Oval, Mitchell Morton celebrated his return after injury by snapping a goal in the first minute of play.

But the Sharks dominated most of the quarter, repeatedly winning centre clearances. Perth steadied with Morton kicking a 50 metre goal, followed by another long major from Kurtis Chester in his sixth league game.

Perth added four goals in an improved second quarter, getting strong drive in the mid field from Aidan Tropiano and Brett Wolfenden, who booted two majors. Jared Bell continued in good touch in defence.

The Demons trailed by 29 points at half time, but a five goal third term put the side in striking distance at last break, when the margin was just 15 points.

The final quarter opened at a furious pace but it was the Sharks who were first on the board.

Another major stretched their lead to 29 points.

Perth fought back with goals to Morton and Cody Leggett, and then Rowan Brookes hit the goal post after a strong mark. The Demons squandered opportunities up forward in several furious passages of play, but when the Sharks kicked their seventeenth, the result was sealed.

BEST: A Tropiano, J Bell, B Wolfenden, T Gianatti, J Payne.

n The Reserves side strengthened their position in the top five with a seven goal last quarter to be 52-point winners over a struggling East Fremantle team – 104 to 54.

Daniel Arangio and Callum Walley were lively in the forward line with three goals each. Arangio could have doubled that tally, as he also kicked six points.

Lachie Dennis put in an outstanding game, and Kane Ranstead responded to his demotion from the league side with a dashing effort.

BEST: L Dennis, K Ranstead, S McGillivray, B Borrett, R Garlett, C Walley.

n In the Colts match, James Bereyne kicked a goal with his first kick in the WAFL Colts comp. Perth put together a good first quarter, with Zac Hill doing well in the ruck and around the ground, and Chapman Jones continuing his good form.

But the Demons failed to match it with Old East after half-time. One goal in the second half reflected our up and down Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde season. The young Sharks were in first for the ball and ran hard, showing us what had to be done to win a game of footy. The loss puts us in the middle of the pack, with a lot of heavy work to be done over the next few rounds to get our noses back in front. The final score was 84 to 55.

BEST: K Phillips, C Jones, C Chivers, R Polak, J Levien, J Scaddan-Blair.