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WAFL 2022 Preview – PerthFriday, April 1, 2022 - 12:00 AM - by Chris Pike
PERTH came into the 2021 season on such a high after their first finals appearance since 1997 the year before, but it didn’t quite go to plan and now the Demons will be determined to bounce back in 2022 and put themselves back in the 2022 finals mix.
It was quite the sight to see Perth end their finals drought of 22 years when they qualified back in 2020. Garry Moss then took over from Earl Spalding as coach in 2021 and hopes were high of them backing up that success.
Things started well enough with early season wins against West Coast, East Fremantle, South Fremantle and West Perth. However, the Demons wouldn’t win again losing their last 11 matches to only avoid the wooden spoon courtesy of percentage.
There are high hopes of a bounce back season now in 2022 at Mineral Resources Park for the Demons and they will be able to try to build off the reserves winning the premiership in 2021 – the first flag in any grade for Perth since 1999.
There is some mixed news on the personnel front for the Demons coming into 2022 with the big signing being securing the services of former West Coast midfielder Brayden Ainsworth.
Signing Ajang Ajang from East Perth gives them someone who can split his time from playing in the ruck and forward as well while Kieran Hug returns having won the Eagles' WAFL fairest and best award in 2021.
Perth has lost some experience, though, and Brant Colledge stands out as the biggest loss given his quality and versatility when healthy along with hard nut Brady Grey.
Matthew Rogers, Christian Eyres, Jack Richardson, Corey Yeo and Mitch Henerson take plenty of experience away with them, but they all played in the reserves premiership so weren't league regulars in 2021.
Getting full seasons out of Dakota Baldwin-Wright, Haydn Busher, Fraser McInnes, Doulton Langlands and Conor McPartland will help Perth improve significantly as well.
With Ainsworth joining reigning fairest and best winner Corey Byrne gives that a boost too while Kristian Cary, Sam Stubbs, Austin Davis, Jacob Coniglio, Kasey Nicholas, Zac Hill, Regan Clarke, Jack Avery, Jordon Reid, Jye Clark and Brodie Gray are all players the Demons will expect plenty from again.
COACH – Garry Moss (Second season, 4-14 record)
CAPTAIN – Michael Sinclair
FAIREST AND BEST 2021 – Corey Byrne
LOOKBACK ON 2021
On the back of the high of ending their finals drought in 2020, the season 2021 couldn’t have gone worse for Perth and at no point at all did they field anything close to what they would consider their best 22.
The Demons became one of the stories of 2020 when they reached the finals for the first time since 1997 in remarkable fashion. The challenge was there to back that up with a new coach in Garry Moss in 2021, but they were just never given a genuine chance.
The season didn’t start too badly with a Round 1 win against the West Coast Eagles for the Demons and then following losses to Swan Districts and Claremont, they beat East Fremantle, South Fremantle and West Perth so things were looking promising.
Especially when you consider they defeated the reigning premiers and broke a 19-game losing run against the Falcons. However, after beating West Perth the Demons wouldn’t win another game for 2021 and finished the season with an 11-game losing streak.
Perth avoided the wooden spoon by percentage with a 4-14 record and there were some genuine personnel reasons for it.
INS AND OUTS
Incoming – Ajang Ajang, Brayden Ainsworth, Chapman Jones, Denzel More, Jordan Busher, Kieran Hug
Outgoing – Brant Colledge, Matthew Rogers, Christian Eyres, Jack Richardson, Brent Edmonds, Corey Yeo, Mitch Henderson
FEATURE FIXTURE
Perth should be eyeing off a big start to the 2022 season. If the Demons can build some early momentum and get their confidence up then anything is possible. Having their first three matches at home at Mineral Resources Park opens up that possibility. First up for the Demons is a Round 1 clash at home against the West Coast Eagles. They then host East Perth the following Sunday evening also at Lathlain before then facing a finals team from 2021 for the first time by taking on Swan Districts in Round 3, but that's also at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday April 30 in another evening fixture.
PREDICTION
The WA football public came to life when the Demons broke their finals drought back in 2020. It was back to earth with a thud in 2021 but there is great sentiment around wanting to see Perth contending for a finals spot. They appear to have their work cut out to do that, but there's no shortage of the supporting public who are willing them on.