Watched the game yesterday, East Perth spread well from a contest, and also very disciplined with the feedback hands from a contest. Had the feeling East Perth would control the game after half time when the dew on the ground would be less of an issue.
1st quarter lots of fumbling from both teams, due to dew, East Perth gained control in the second quarter. However a six or seven minute patch late saw Subi kick 3 or 4 goals to have a handy lead at half tome. Lawrence (6) for Subi had some important touches and forward entries during this patch, while the big fella Foley (23). while didn't take a mark, hit the contest with real ferocity, and Silvestro's (24) work at ground level, where he forced turnovers just with his competitiveness allowed Subi to get the lead.
Stan Wright was exceptional for East Perth, however I think East Perth let Subi off the hook. Royals had real problems taking a mark up forward in the second half, apart from an exceptional grab from Eaton? (18). Cast my mind back to a practice game early n the year when they isolated Stan in the forward 50, he kicked about 4 or 5. Thought East Perth would do that in the last quarter, didn't happen though. Case of robbing Peter to pay Paul perhaps.
Had read previous comments about the ruckmen from East Perth. Very tall boys, but very light, and dropped many easy marks. The 30 took one up forward early in the last, but was a chest mark, held his ground well, but would rather the both of them clunked them above their heads. Not crashing packs either, though this can be developed or will come with confidence, 1st time i've seen Foley do it for Subi this year. Chapman for Subi definately had the better of the ruck duels.
Good news for East Perth, the better performers are predominantly 17 year olds. Wright as mentioned, Dobson has improved his game significantly, De Campo gets a lot of it, issue with his kicking though, a few flour baggers when kicking long, sits in the air too long when going shorter, has been an issue for him for a while. Di Placido racks them up. Was impressed with Miller, came back well after receiving a heavy but fair hit early in the first. Spread and cover around the footy a lot better than Subi, but as Grump mentioned they don't bat deep. A couple of boys from the 16's - Nicolou and Stack, could add some real outside pace and put defences under pressure with their ability to break lines. Have a couple of big units with strong bodies in the 16's group as well. Should be a very strong unit next year.
For Subi, impressed with Silvestro, Subi scrapped for goals and his pressure was the cause for about 4 or 5 of their goals. Clarke, as mentioned by Grump, a lot of it and able to bring teammates into it, Chapman in the ruck, Burnett good all year, and Beverley is an absolute gem of a footballer and leader, and Foley's ability to hit packs hard was extremely important.
Apologies about the novel.
