East Perth roared back into finals contention with an emphatic 114-point win against East Fremantle on Saturday.
Having fallen to sixth spot on the ladder following a disappointing performance against Peel the week prior, the Royals climbed to fourth spot on the ladder with two home-and-away games to go after their 23.13 (151) to 5.7 (37) triumph at Leederville Oval.
A host of emerging Eagles starred in the stirring victory, namely Hamish Brayshaw, Brayden Ainsworth, Luke Partington, Oscar Allen and Jake Waterman.
Brayshaw was dominant in the centre of the ground, amassing 41 disposals, 16 half-back rebounds, 10 marks and 12 score involvements.
He was ably supported by Ainsworth (39 disposals, 14 marks, one goal) and Partington (36 disposals, 10 marks, two goals) in the middle while Allen and Waterman wreaked havoc up forward.
Senior coach Luke Webster placed Allen’s magnet in the attacking arc for the first time this year and the 2017 Larke medallist made the most of his opportunity by booting four goals and playing a role in eight other Royals’ scores.
Waterman showed his class in a commanding four-quarter display, outscoring East Fremantle off his own boot with seven majors.
Excitement machine Jack Petruccelle also chimed in with two goals, Malcolm Karpany (21 disposals, four marks) made a strong return from a rib injury and Kurt Mutimer racked up 18 touches and eight marks.
Defenders Jackson Nelson (21 disposals, 11 half-back rebounds), Francis Watson (19 disposals, 10 pressure acts), Jarrod Brander (18 disposals, six marks, five spoils) and Josh Rotham (16 disposals, six marks) all played a part in keeping the Sharks to just five goals for the day.
East Perth 7.2 14.6 18.10 23.13 (151)
East Fremantle 2.1 3.2 5.3 5.7 (37)
GOALS – EAST PERTH: Waterman 7; O Allen 4; Maginness, Partington, Petruccelle 2; McGinnity, Wellingham, Dobson, Samelko, Ainsworth, Ajang.
EAST FREMANTLE: Loersch 3; Perham, Watson.
