East Perth came crashing back to earth following a 37-point loss to East Fremantle at Medibank Stadium yesterday.
The Royals, looking to extend their three-game winning streak, got off to a fast start but were unable to contain the Sharks' midfield and eventually went down 8.8 (56) to 13.15 (93).
West Coast-listed big man Jonathan Giles took a strong overhead mark in the left pocket and slotted a tricky shot on a tight angle to open the Royals’ account.
East Perth hit the scoreboard three more times before the Sharks registered their first goal of the game through George Hampson.
The Royals' 15-point first quarter advantage turned into a 22-point deficit in the second term as the Royals went goalless and Sharks Jamie McNamara, Brett Peake, Liam Anthony, Mitch Boyle and Liam Anthony all fired shots between the big sticks.
Developing Eagle Corey Adamson broke the Royals’ goal drought nine minutes into the third quarter and Fraser McInnes got the home side to within 10 points midway through the term.
But it was one-way traffic from that point as the visitors stormed home with six second half goals to East Perth's four.
West Coast regular Xavier Ellis got his hands on the ball early and showed signs of form in his first hit-out since injuring his achilles in the Eagles’ round one fixture against Brisbane.
Ellis used his cunning and footy smarts to collect 24 disposals against the Sharks and will no doubt press for an Eagles recall in the coming weeks.
Fraser McInnes, who was forced out of West Coast’s line-up by Scott Lycett this weekend, was impressive for the Royals and amassed 18 disposals, six marks and two goals at Medibank Stadium on Sunday.
Budding midfielder Luke Partington also showed development in his game with a 27-touch outing.
The 19-year-old South Australian instigated several East Perth attacking drives and topped the team’s inside 50s count with five entries.
West Coast’s Irish rookie Paddy Brophy also turned in his best performance for the year.
The 22-year-old County Kildare product accumulated 25 touches running off the half-back flank and showed poise under pressure when the going got tough at Medibank Stadium.
Other West Coast players to perform admirably included Kane Lucas (27 disposals), Jackson Nelson (23 disposals) and Corey Adamson and Tom Cole (20 disposals each).
The Royals have a week to lick their wounds before facing Swan Districts at Medibank Stadium on May 14.
