FALCONS TOO GOOD FOR DEMONS

WEST Perth recorded its first victory for 2016 with a hard fought effort against Perth at HBF Arena on Saturday. The game was in the balance until the 10-minute mark of the last quarter when the Falcons took control to kick the last five goals of the game. The conditions were very ordinary in the first half but as they improved so did the standard of West Perth’s football.

It rained consistently during the first quarter and this had a big impact on the standard of play. The first score of the day was a rushed behind to the Falcons but the first major went to the Demons at the seven-minute mark. This gave the visitors a five point lead. An indication of just how tough the conditions were is highlighted by the fact that the only other goal of the quarter didn’t come until the 31-minute mark when Max Duffy received a free 30m out. His straight kick reduced the margin to one at the first change with Perth leading 1.3 (9) to 1.2 (8).

Perth controlled the first 10 minutes of the second term and extended their lead to nine points. Their goal came from first gamer Zac Fisher who showed a lot of promise. A scuffle at the 12-minute mark and some good work in the middle by Tyler Keitel prompted the Falcons into action and they piled on three quick goals. The first went to Nick Rodda who received a free and 50m penalty as a result of the push and shove, the next to Keegan Knott who scored his first Falcons goal after a kick out of the centre bounce down by Keitel and the third to Luke Meadows who soccered one out of a pack close to goal. Within three minutes West Perth had raced from a nine-point deficit to nine-point advantage. The Demons got one back with a second to recruit Spencer White before Knott was once again involved with an assist to Rohan Kerr who snapped from 20. At the main break West Perth led by 11 points; 5.4 (34) to 3.5 (23).

The conditions started to ease in the second half but the third term was once again a hard fought, close in battle. When Steve Potente scored after roving off hands from a long kick in by Trent Manzone the lead was out to 17 points after 12 minutes. The physical game continued, with Chris Keunen being one of the casualties, until Fisher kicked his second to reduce the margin to 13 points just before time on. The final goal of the quarter went to Keunen following a 50m penalty. He scored from 30 metres to give West Perth an 18-point advantage going into the last quarter. They led 7.7 (49) to 4.7 (31).

The tough game had its impact on the players with both sides down to two players on the bench. Aidan Tropiano had been out of action since midway in the second quarter and Kody Manning was on crutches as the result of a leg injury. Perth kicked the first two goals of the quarter to reduce the margin to just six after five minutes and the game was really on. The Falcons responded in the best possible way by taking control of the match and kicking the final five goals of the game. The first of the run went to former Demon, Joel Leeson, who kicked his first Falcon goal from 30 metres out. The next was scored by Aidan Lynch after a clever pass across the body by Knott. Keunen then scored his second after roving the ball off the back of the pack in the square and the last two were scored by Aaron Black who received reward for effort after running hard all day. At the final siren West Perth had run out 41-point victors; 12.12 (84) to 6.7 (43).

It was a much needed victory but it will be at a cost as there were a number of very sore players at the end of the game. The reserves also recorded a gutsy, hard fought victory to get on the board as well. A number of these players will be in the running for a game next week due to the likely injuries. Best players in the reserves included James Batterham, Laine Rasmussen, Mitch Peirce and Blake Wilhelm. For the league the players to receive awards were Steve Potente, Tyler Keitel, Aaron Black and Joe Morrow. There were a number of players who would have been under consideration including Luke Tedesco, Jay van Berlo, Aidan Lynch, Andrew Strijk and Trent Manzone. A big game next week against Subiaco for the International Football Festival.

BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR