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Royals roll disappointing Demons

Scott Lycett.

A stunning 10-goal second quarter was the catalyst for East Perth’s clinical 80-point win against Perth at Lathlain Park today.

The Royals led by 15 points at the first change but had extended that advantage to 64 points at half time in the wake of their second term.

East Perth turned for home with a 74-point lead and re-affirmed their status as premiership favourites with the crushing result.

Winners across all lines helped set up the visitors 22.8 (140) to 9.6 (60) victory, their eighth for the season.

Tall utility player Callum Sinclair was best for the winners, moving closer to an AFL recall with West Coast.

Sinclair finished had four goals to half time and finished the match with 21 possessions, 13 marks, 17 hit-outs, two inside 50s and six goals.

Midfielders Dom Sheed, Brendan Lee and Freddie Clutterbuck had plenty of the ball for the Royals while defenders Kyle Anderson, Jacob Brennan, Adam Carter, Mitch Fraser, Brett Dobson and Blayne Wilson gave little away.

Perth’s better players were harder to find with former Melbourne and West Coast wingman Cale Morton, captain Paul Bevan, ex-GWS squad member Gerald Ugle and defenders Chris Billings and Nick Kane doing best.

On a brighter note the Demons won both minor grades, taking out the reserves by 15 points and the colts by 23 points.

Mitchell Howlett, named as an emergency in the league team, moved a step closer to a recall with a prolific effort in the reserves for the Royals.

The 21-year-old Busselton recruit had 35 possessions, seven marks, seven tackles and seven inside 50s.

Former Hawthorn squad member Garry Moss was also impressive in the early game with 25 possessions, six marks, five tackles and four inside 50s for East Perth.

League regulars Brennan Stack and Chance Bateman were prominent in the reserves for Perth.

EAST PERTH

4.3

14.3

18.8

22.8

140

PERTH

2.0

3.5

6.6

9.6

60

GOALS – EAST PERTH: Sinclair 6; S Payne, Oakley-Nicholls, Johnson, Clutterbuck, Lycett, A Smith 2; J Smith, McInnes, McGinnity, Hill. PERTH: Ugle 3; Bevan 2; Florio, Houghton, Richardson, Collard.
BEST – EAST PERTH: Sinclair, Clutterbuck, Sheed, Lycett, Fraser, A Smith, Lee. PERTH: C Morton, Bevan, Ugle, Billings, Kane.
UMPIRES: M Adams, R McCaw, J Power.
CROWD: 4000 (approx) at Lathlain Park.