The Demons snatched a close game from the Sharks in the dying moments – a free kick paid against Austin Ball for diving on the footy resulting in a set shot awarded to Boorloo’s Oscar Hine-Baston.
Hine-Baston is not a familiar goal kicker with just three goals kicked in his league career – the 21-year-old playing most of his time at the Demons in the backline.
His composure in a rather out-of-depth situation was remarkable when he kicked an ice cold sealer as if he had been playing as a forward for his whole career.
East Fremantle led up until that final minute, and the loss is now their fifth in a row.
With six wins from their last eight matches, it is no secret Boorloo’s recent success is powering them toward September footy – the side currently holding second on the ladder with four games left to play.
Oscar Hine-Baston joined Sports Breakfast this morning.
“It was pretty surreal, especially as a half-backer, you’re not really ever put in that situation,” he said.
“When I got that free kick, I then realized that I was actually the person who was going to have to kick this goal… heart was beating a lot and the crowd was loud and I kind of just tried to take it all in, and luckily on the run up it felt good and as soon as I struck the ball with my foot I knew it was going in.
“I was just so over the moon. I think I closed my eyes and next thing you know everyone was jumping on me… it’s even sweeter that it’s at Perth – the club I’ve been at for I don’t even know how long… since I was 13 years old.”
After suffering an ankle injury this time last year which saw him miss out on Perth’s finals campaign, the goal rounds out a cohesive story of the defender’s determination in 2026.
“I realised that this time last year, it was probably the worst day of the year for me.”
“Seeing all the boys last year definitely, you know, drove me to want to be a part of that. And especially for the club, you know, not having maybe that much success in the last 20 or 30 years, I just want to be a part of that and I know all the boys do as well.”
As the season approaches September, expectations at the club are exceeding on a weekly basis to uphold finals-worthy standards.
Mark Stone’s tenure at Perth since 2024 has signalled a period or transformation for the Demons, leading the side to breaking a 28-year drought last year when Perth won a finals match for the first time since 1997.
With recent skin in the game for a lot of this side, Boorloo are looking to be a dark horse to make a deep finals run come September.
“Stoney came through and everything kind of changed. He had so much belief in the players, and he knows what each player needs and nurtures their strengths and looks after their weaknesses.”
“You really feel the last two years have been really, really elite in terms of the growth at the footy club and definitely this year, I feel like the spectators and onlookers have a different view of the footy club which I’m proud to be a part of.
“We realize that we are a really good footy team now and we can’t let anything slide.”
The Demons have a bye next week before returning in round 17 to play Subiaco, hoping to continue a strong run home.
IMAGE: Jack Johnson