Given this game was played four days ago, any coverage of it, by rights, should really be yesterday’s fish and chips wrapper.
Still, it was a relief to hold out a spirited Demons outfit, who were very impressive for much of the game and will certainly upset a few sides as the year progresses.
Ultimately, the Royals’ 21-point quarter-time lead was the final margin.
Angus Scott, Mitch Crowden, Scott Jones and Mitch Schofield (that third-quarter snap at the Weagles end was an absolute ripper) were very good, but I thought the irrepressible and effervescent Stan Wright was East Perth’s best.
In my opinion, if Stan was another 5cm taller, he would’ve been drafted 5 years ago.
Next up are the Weagles, who are less injury-hit and more competitive than in previous seasons, so having Angus Schumacher back from “concussion protocols” will be very handy.
After two reserves games, I hope Tom Graham lines up at full-forward, particularly as Zach Hill was injured early in Thursday’s game.
However, Robbo’s hamstring injury from the Peel game will likely sideline him again, while I believe Jacob Msando has a similar injury.
After just four complete rounds, I can’t remember a season more even than this one, with every side having at least one win and at least one loss.
I thought best for us could be raffled between Jones and Wright, ADGM. They were outstanding, along with the others you mentioned.. Big Jones really does get through a mountain of work doesn’t he. Definitely hoping the time’s right for Graham to come into the side, and it will be very good to have Schumacher back.
And both Angus Schumacher and Tom Graham have been included for tomorrow’s must-win game against the Weagles, John, which won’t be easy given that their senior side has had a pretty good run with injury in 2024.
I notice the vastly underrated Sam Van Diemen is missing from our line-up, presumably due to injury.
[quote=“Archie Duda Goal Machine post=235235 userid=2436”]And both Angus Schumacher and Tom Graham have been included for tomorrow’s must-win game against the Weagles, John, which won’t be easy given that their senior side has had a pretty good run with injury in 2024.
I notice the vastly underrated Sam Van Diemen is missing from our line-up, presumably due to injury.
[/quote]
Sheed playing against Essendon so it will be a bit easier,
Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t lose.
I hope you’re right, Ted. 
Being an arch pessimist (excuse the pun), and mindful of the Weagles’ boilover win against the Sharks a few weeks ago, I never treat a Royals’ victory as a fair accompli.
Definitely two East Perth teams out there today, Zippidy. Very ordinary first half, but a more professional second.
A great debut by young Darcy Craven with 4 goals and unselfishly giving away what looked to be a certain fifth. He thoroughly deserved the Club’s best on ground award.
I thought we started to play well halfway through the second quarter, when the difference was only a couple of points, OTO.
Until then, with Hamish Brayshaw and Scott Jones late withdrawals, Sam Van Diemen suspended after the Perth game (though I’ve heard nothing official) and Mitch Schofield gone for the day halfway through the first quarter (it looked like a bad ankle injury), I genuinely thought the game would go down to the wire.
And, yes, young Darcy Craven made one of the more outstanding debuts in blue and black in recent times.
[quote=“Archie Duda Goal Machine post=235284 userid=2436”]Until then, with Hamish Brayshaw and Scott Jones late withdrawals, Sam Van Diemen suspended after the Perth game (though I’ve heard nothing official)
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Van Diemen copped 4 weeks downgraded to 3 with an early guilty plea for a homophonic slur towards Jack Cooley, heard by the umpire and placed on report. What a load of shit. Minority group of weirdo’s are hijacking our game and society.
DD, I did hear a whisper at yesterday’s game that Sam Van Diemen was suspended for a homophobic slur but wasn’t 100% sure.
I suspect there’s no love lost between Van Diemen and Jack Cooley given that the much-travelled Cooley was previously a Royal.
How long was Harry Quartermaine rubbed out for after a similar incident in the Demons’ scratchie against Claremont?
I think Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson copped 3 weeks for his slur in the Power’s Round 4 clash with Essendon.
[quote=“Archie Duda Goal Machine post=235309 userid=2436”]DD, I did hear a whisper at yesterday’s game that Sam Van Diemen was suspended for a homophobic slur but wasn’t 100% sure.
I suspect there’s no love lost between Van Diemen and Jack Cooley given that the much-travelled Cooley was previously a Royal.
How long was Harry Quartermaine rubbed out for after a similar incident in the Demons’ scratchie against Claremont?
I think Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson copped 3 weeks for his slur in the Power’s Round 4 clash with Essendon.
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Archie HQ ended up with 1 week which forced him to miss the first round. It was the opening scratch match against Claremont. He played the following week against WCER but didn’t play in the last scratchie against Swans. I believe the club might have argued he said something else.
By the way how Jack found his way to Lathlain. After cancelling his plans to play in the VFL..(Williamstown I think) due to the health of his father, he decided to join this best mate Jye Clark at Perth who he grew up with in Albany. I believe Cooley was originally from Claremont.
Well done to the Demons hierarchy for getting Harry Q a reduced penalty, DD.
I’m staggered that Sam Van Diemen copped 4 weeks and having his penalty reduced to 3 weeks is of little consolation.
That said, it did give young Darcy Craven a chance to show his wares yesterday and he was a revelation with 4 goals on debut.
I think Jack Cooley may have been best afield in a Claremont colts’ grand final win (maybe 2019).
I’m not sure if current Royals coach Ross McQueen was then at Claremont, where he had massive success with the colts and reserves, but Jack made his way to EP in the COVID-affected year of 2020 and played in the premiership-winning reserves team.
He made his league debut early in the 2021 season and didn’t immediately set the world on fire but was virtually an automatic selection in 2022, when EP fell away badly after a promising start.
I knew that Jack originally intended to play with Williamstown in 2023 and that he was also great mates with Jye Clark, explaining why he joined Perth when he knocked the VFL move on the head (I hope his father is OK).
There are a few Royals posters who know far more about Jack than I do, but I thought he had a good future at Leederville.
I’d love to know how many EP boys have moved to Lathlain this century, but a few good ones have gone the other way.
I also heard that Cooley may have had a disagreement with Coach Ross McQueen while at Claremont and that may have had an influence on his decision to sign with Perth when he returned from Melbourne.
How much truth there is to that, I have no idea.
seen bad striking incidents get less
many times
Tines are changing it seems…
Glad I’m not involved anymore some of the dribble spewed back when i was involved would have gotten people life sentences and that’s after an early guilty plea
Spend a week in any local Emergency Dept, the verbal the staff get, is far worse then what I got or heard on the footy oval during my playing days.
Good to see atleast some powers above from an industry are making a stand…still waiting for the powers above in the Health profession to do so…37 years and still hoping.
[quote=“Southerner post=235317 userid=1210”]seen bad striking incidents get less
many times
[/quote]
sticks and stones may break my bones, but words …
pfft!
The alphabet queers are sabotaging everything. Has the opposite effect. I hate the cunts even more.