East Perth got its 2016 WAFL campaign back on track with a big 91-point win against Swan Districts on Saturday.
Royals debutant Lewis Jetta got the home side on the front foot early with a sublime pass to Eagles' teammate Jackson Nelson, who kicked true from 40m to register the game’s first goal.
The Royals were up and about when Jonathan Giles crumbed a loose ball 10m from goal and dribbled it through for a six pointer before Brant Colledge got in on the action in a similar fashion moments later – scooping up the ball on the run and hammering home the kick.
Kane Lucas capped off the near-perfect quarter with a strong grab and imperious set shot from 30m to give East Perth a 38-point lead at the first change of ends.
Goals were harder to come by in the second term as the scoreless Swans switched to a defensive mindset, but Patrick McGinnity and Giles managed to find their way through Swan Districts’ web to help the Royals to a 41-point advantage by the main break.
Colledge stamped his authority on the game in the penultimate quarter, booting two goals from about 35m – one set shot and another on the run – to increase the East Perth’s lead to 65 with a period to play.
The Royals ran riot in the final term; Tom Lam kicked two majors, Giles added a third goal to his tally and McGinnity kicked his second to seal the 17.12 (114) to 3.5 (23) victory in front of home fans.
Jetta, who was demoted by West Coast to find some form in the WAFL, was instrumental to the Royals’ win and brought the crowd to its feet with several inspiring pieces of play.
The 27-year-old collected 29 disposals and used his speed and smarts to set up several attacking plays with his elite kicking skills.
Nelson, typically a defender, was trialled in the midfield on Saturday and hardly looked out of place with a 29-touch, one goal and six tackle outing against the Swans.
The 19-year-old wasn’t the only on-baller in good form at Medibank Stadium.
Kane Lucas was as damaging as ever in the middle with 35 disposals, Patrick McGinnity did his Eagles’ selection bid no harm with a 25-touch, two goal display, Corey Adamson was impressive with 27 possessions and Luke Partington continued his development with a 24 disposal, four-tackle showing.
Defenders Paddy Brophy and Xavier Ellis collected 23 and 22 disposals respectively and the versatile Tom Cole found the ball 20 times.
Fraser McInnes and Tom Barrass clunked and spoiled several marks, Colledge converted his 13 touches into three goals and Giles did even better, booting a trio of majors from just 10 touches.