The option of screw-ins or moulded soles as choice of footwear for the WAFL clash between East Perth and West Perth was not the major consideration ahead of Saturday’s clash. It was whether flippers would be permitted on Medibank Stadium.
So significant were some of the puddles that players sunk ankle deep as they splashed about on the sodden oval and the ball actually floated on the surface.
Those conditions would not be the first choice for a man of 200cm and 98kg, but Callum Sinclair produced a stand-out performance in those atrocious circumstances, having 23 possessions, taking four marks and kicking a goal.
Importantly, he also gave East Perth first use of the ball with 35 hit-outs.
While Sinclair could have been excused for accepting conditions would make for a tough day, strong-bodied fielder Jamie Cripps would have felt like they were perfect for him, as he racked up 15 possessions, but most significantly he also clamped on a dozen tackles.
Down back, Adam Carter, Blayne Wilson and Jamie Bennell were all solid, with Carter producing a fine lock-down effort against premier West Perth forward Anthony Tsalakis, holding him to just six possessions.
Josh Hill oscillated between half-forward and wing and was at his best in the first half, while Malcolm Karpany struggled in the conditions, finishing with just six possessions and four tackles. Fraser McInness was a lively contributor up forward, taking five marks in a game where he, too, was not suited.
Encouragingly, two young players in the reserves made solid contributions when East Perth were well beaten by the Falcons.
Will Maginness had a game-high 31 possessions to be the Royals’ best, while Dylan Main was also solid with 19 disposals in a game marred by torrential rain – the after-effects being obvious in the league game.
