Demons leave no stone unturned in bid to climb ladderThursday, February 11, 2016 - 4:00 PM - by Chris Pike

PERTH is leaving no stone unturned in trying to have its finals drought end at 18 seasons with the Demons putting together a supremely impressive summer that looks set to see them possess the best WAFL midfield in 2016.

Perth has not played in a finals series since 1997 and has endured a particularly difficult past two seasons. Despite taking some strides forward in 2015 in Earl Spalding's first season as coach, the Demons won just two games.

That came on the back of losing their last 14 matches of 2014 so Perth comes into 2016 having lost 32 of its past 34 games.

But that's all history and nobody at Perth from chief executive Marty Atkins, football manager Tyson Beattie and coach Spalding down are accepting of that and have put in tremendous work over the summer in a bid to change it.

Changing the culture of a club can take time but getting quality and experienced players and people into any organisation is an important step, and that's exactly what Perth has done coming into 2016.

Former AFL players Clint Jones, Angus Graham and Spencer White lead the list of signings for the Demons with Stephen Mills and Laine Wilkins coming from other clubs, and Kristian Cary from North Albury in Victoria and Taran Etto from the Western Suburbs Magpies in Sydney.

Jones returns to the WAFL where he was already a dual fairest and best winner, and premiership player with South Fremantle still in peak form and fitness and with the experience of 149 AFL games with St Kilda behind him.

His arrival along with that of ruckman Graham should help further strengthen a Perth midfield already including Sandover Medallist Aidan Tropiano, captain Dene White, the prolific Liam McKenna and emerging Michael Sinclair.

With 197 games of AFL experience behind them and one being a proven midfielder who can run all day and ruck up gathering possessions, and the other a quality ruckman, Spalding has every reason to be delighted with their arrival at Lathlain Park.

"He (Graham) is pretty imposing size-wise and he can get across the ground OK. So once the games start I'm sure he'll have a pretty big impact," Spalding said in an interview for perthfc.com.au.

"He (Jones) will bring a lot of experience and a really strong work ethic to the group. We've already seen a big improvement in that area, and he will help to cement that."

On top of the impressive looking midfield, Perth looks set to have a strong forward target for the first time in a long time with the arrival of White. The 21-year-old played two AFL games for St Kilda in 2014 but at 196cm, will provide a strong target for the Demons.

And while strong goal kickers of the last two years Callum Collard and Mitch Norton, along with Jarryd Morton, Chris Billings and Daniel O'Sullivan have moved on, it's a significantly improved list that Spalding has at his disposal.

Mills and Wilkins struggled for opportunities at South Fremantle and Peel respectively, and could become regular players at Perth.

While Spalding is pleased with the arrivals and the strength of the playing list at his disposal, it's the attitude and the determination to change the culture and create something successful over the summer that he's been most encouraged by.

"I think the guys have shown a new attitude that we haven’t seen here for a while, certainly not in the 12 months I've been here. From that point of view, it's pretty exciting and they are a lot fitter than they have been. It's been a pretty pleasing pre-season so far," Spalding said.

"Of the core group, 'Bluey' (McKenna) is as fit as we've ever seen him, Sincers had his injury problems last year and is as fit as I've seen him, Belly's as fit as I've seen him and Trops is right up there with his fitness. They are just driving the rest of the group so it's good."