FALCONS CAN'T MAINTAIN STRONG FIRST HALF AGAINST ROYALS

West Perth came into the game without Max Duffy, Luke Tedesco, Chris Keunen, Shane Nelson, Joe Morrow, Kody Manning, Laine Rasmussen, Matt Fowler, Brayden Antonio and Matt Guadagnin.

But Andrew Strijk did shrug off a leg injury to play and put in a huge performance with 35 possessions and eight marks.

Aaron Black also worked tirelessly continuing his outstanding start to the season as an inside midfielder with 29 disposals, six marks and two goals. He has now kicked eight goals in the five games of 2016.

Steven Browne continued his good form from the previous week as well collecting 26 touches to go with six marks.

Rohan Kerr also finished with 21 possessions, Trent Manzone 21, Joel Leeson 18, Steve Potente 18, Blake Wilhelm 18 and Aidan Lynch 18 along with 12 tackles.

With injuries comes the chance to blood some youth and Mitch Peirce made his debut on Saturday and did so impressively with 20 possessions after some strong form in the reserves having stepped up from the colts this year.

Ben King was also solid in defence in his first game since Round 23, 2014.

It was a tough and tight opening to the derby in the first meeting between the two clubs since West Perth beat East Perth in last year's preliminary final at HBF Arena.

It took 14 minutes until the first goal of the game and that came to East Perth courtesy of Patrick McGinnity. West Perth responded soon after thanks to Black and the Royals held a slender one-point quarter-time advantage.

The Falcons then hit the front courtesy of a goal to Knott three minutes into the second quarter and it went goal for goal right up until half-time.

After a Kane Lucas goal for the Royals, Alexander kicked truly for the Falcons nailing his first goal at league level since Round 2 last year.

West Perth made it consecutive goals for the only time in the match when Leeson kicked truly at the 18-minute mark and the Falcons had some momentum leading by seven points.

East Perth answered through Craig Wulff but West Perth appeared set to head into the main break in front after Black nailed his second. But on the stoke of half-time, East Perth goaled through Jonathan Giles and led by a point.

West Perth was right in the game at half-time but it wouldn’t continue. The Falcons were scoreless the entire third quarter with East Perth kicking five goals to lead by 33 points at the last change.

The Royals again kicked the first four goals of the last quarter until Lynch broke the Falcons' drought at the 20-minute mark. East Perth still kicked he game's last goal to win by 60 points.

The reserves started derby day at Medibank Stadium with East Perth beating West Perth 14.15 (99) to 12.5 (77).

Corey Chalmers put his hand up for his first league game of the season with 36 possessions for West Perth while Dean Munns gathered 25 disposals (14 tackles) and Scott Nelson 25.

Jordan Mills and Kaidyn Fullgrabe kicked three goals each for West Perth, and Ben Mountford and Matt Johnson two. Michael Ashfield worked hard in the ruck for 39 hit outs.

And then in the colts on Saturday evening, but it was a tough night for West Perth with East Perth winning 20.19 (139) to 8.5 (53) at Medibank Stadium.

Hunter Onn, Jack Porter and Oscar Allen kicked two goals apiece for West Perth.

Liam Baker compiled 30 possessions for the Falcons, Josh Rotham 25 and Brody Zanon 23.

WEST PERTH        1.2    5.3    5.3    6.4    (40)
EAST PERTH        1.3    4.10    9.12    14.16    (100)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Black 2; Knott, Alexander, Leeson, Lynch.
Best: Strijk, Black, Browne, Peirce, Lynch, Wilhelm, Leeson.
EAST PERTH – Goals: Wulff, Giles 3; McGinnity 2; Lamb, Roche, Allen, Payne, Adamson, Lucas.
Best: Payne, Wulff, McGinnity, Lucas, Brophy, Ameduri, Cole, Fraser.