Demons back trio to stop rot
Perth are expected to regain key players Jarryd Morton, Callum Collard and Mitch Leyendekkers for their crucial game against Swan Districts at Lathlain Park on Saturday.
Morton (hamstring), Collard (ankle) and Leyendekkers (knee) were out injured when the Demons led by as much as 24 points midway through the second quarter before losing to East Fremantle by nine points two weeks ago.
It was the club's fourth defeat in five games since a bye in round four. Perth's 29-point win against Peel on May 3 was the only joy among losses to West Perth (18 points), Swans (one point), East Perth (22 points), Subiaco (34 points) and the Sharks.
Football manager Brendan Kays said Morton, Leyendekkers and Collard were likely to return provided they got through training tonight.
"Those three just strengthen up our spine," Kays said yesterday. "Unfortunately when the game was on the line against East Fremantle, their senior players stood up."
Kays said it shaped as a good game for the return of former Peel ruckman Leyendekkers.
"I think if it was say an East Perth, you probably wouldn't," he said.
"No disrespect to (Nathan) Blakely, I think he's been superb. But he's a younger kid and not as physically strong as a lot of the other ruckmen. I think it's a good chance for Mitch to come in and work his way into the game."
