Experienced defender Xavier Ellis made an inconspicuous return to football in front of a handful of fans with the East Perth reserves, but the enormity of the achievement belied the setting.
Ellis, who had suffered a hamstring strain in the pre-season program, played a carefully managed 60 minutes, but picked up 17 possessions in that time and looked a class above all others.
While he played his first game of the year, former Carlton midfielder Kane Lucas, who was an emergency for the AFL clash with Gold Coast, was one of a few East Perth players who shone in a 39-point loss to Claremont.
In testing, wintry conditions at the Claremont Showgrounds, Lucas accumulated 27 possessions and four marks to be among the Royals’ best.
Young defender Tom Barrass continues to grow from week to week and was again prominent against the Tigers, collecting 19 possessions and taking seven marks in a solid performance against his former club.
First-year midfielder Alec Waterman (17 possessions) also continued his impressive start to a senior career and kicked one of only two goals posted by the Royals in what was a disappointing team display.
Paddy Brophy provided good run out of defence and Brant Colledge (18 possessions, four marks and four tackles) was solid through the middle.
Malcolm Karpany and Rowen Powell struggled to impact in the conditions and will be looking for bigger contributions next week.
Corey Adamson is another young player starting to grow and has enjoyed his education in the reserves.
He picked up 25 touches in the midfield and is having a bigger impact by the week.
