WA Football Commission

Angels launch towards finals contention Tuesday, July 2, 2019 - 8:22 AM

Written by Sandra Argese

The Perth Angels have notched up one of their best performances of 2019 with a crucial 68 point victory over East Perth on Sunday afternoon.

Amidst wet and wintery conditions, all it took was three goals a term for the Angels to hit their straps at Altone Park, leaving East Perth with little to no answers.

From the get go, the black and red army dominated play inside their attacking 50. Despite mother nature having a few wintery tricks up her sleeve, nothing about the intermittent downpour could deter their poise, strong tackling pressure and composed ball movement in and around the contest.

Testament to the Angels’ pressure, East Perth barely found themselves inside attacking 50 all game.  

But there was a shining light in their loss. Hannah O’Brien was one of East Perth’s best with the Royals’ only two goals, which both arrived in the first and last quarters, respectively.

Heidi Thompson’s impact on the game proved crucial for the Angels. Sealing the opening goal in the second term, her work around each contest was monumental. Thompson’s hands were like glue, taking several contested marks up forward, while also pushing up the ground to manufacture some handy goal assists.

A moment for the highlights reel arrived when, despite East Perth’s courageous attempts to the spoil the ball on the line, Angel Jaimi Madeley’s second-quarter set-shot sailed strait through the big sticks. At this point, the prospect of a Royal comeback seemed impossible. 

Finding themselves down by 27 points at half time and failing to register a score in the second term, East Perth had some serious work to do.

Krystal Spanos’ presence up forward did the Angels plenty of favours. Her strong performance resulted in three majors as she finished as the leading goalscorer on the ground. Hot on her tail was Cecelia Bowman, who finished with two goals. Also notching up two majors, Hayley Thompson had a day to remember. Her superb final quarter execution of a set-shot on goal proved the final sealer on what ultimately became a day out for the Angels.

QUARTER BY QUARTER
EAST PERTH: 1.0 (6) 1.0 (6) 1.0 (6) 2.1 (13)
PERTH:  3.1 (19) 6.3 (33) 9.7 (61) 12.9 (81)

GOALSCORERS
EAST PERTH: Hannah O’Brien (2)
PERTH: Krystal Spanos (3), Hayley Thompson (2), Cecelia Bowman (2), Madi Yarran, Jaycilee Duff, Jaimi Madeley, Heidi Thompson