FALCONS SCORE HARD EARNED VICTORY

TWO teams desperate for their second victory of the year squared off at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday. Swan Districts and West Perth went into the game with a 1-4 record and a win was essential in order to stay in contact with the top five.

West Perth had the better of the contest for large periods of the day and this resulted in a 23-point victory. It was a win built on persistence and hard work and gives the team something to build on as the season progresses.

The Falcons made all of the early running but were only able to kick four behinds. The first major, against the run of play, went to Swans at the 13-minute mark. They followed up with another five minutes later and going into time on led by nine. Debutant, Dean Munns, was involved in the first goal for the Falcons when he helped get the ball to Michael Lourey who finished from 40 metres out.

Inaccurate kicking continued to plague West Perth and when Lourey kicked the second of his three goals at the 27-minute mark the Falcons had grabbed the lead by five. Swans regained the lead after the siren courtesy of a long bomb by Tony Notte and as a result took a one-point lead into the first change; 3.2 (20) to 2.7 (19). It was a term during which the Falcons didn’t get value for money.

The game opened up in the second term with West Perth kicking the first three majors in quick time. Lourey kicked his third after quick movement out of defence, Tyler Keitel took advantage of an errant kick in and Joel Leeson scored from 50 after some good work by big man Mark Hamilton. At the nine-minute mark the Falcons led by 18 points. Ex-Royal, Freddie Clutterbuck, got one back for Swans before a long kick forward by Jay van Berlo resulted in a mark and goal by Aidan Lynch from 30.

Swans continued to fight to get back into the match and did so at the 21-minute mark courtesy of Alex Howard. The pace of the game had picked up and Drew Rohde was instrumental in a response when a long precise pass found Leeson who kicked his second for the quarter. The lead was out to 20 but in an ending very similar to the first quarter Notte scored right on the siren. The Falcons had a 7.10 (52) to 6.2 (38) lead but it felt that it should have been more.

The third term set up the West Perth victory with the Falcons scoring three goals and holding Swans goalless. Steve Potente got the ball rolling with a clever snap deep in the pocket and van Berlo showed his class by scoring his first after scoring from a deliberate out of bounds. He was standing next to the point post when he took his kick.

The third goal was the result of a very brave pack mark by Aaron Black. He took the grab in a large pack of players and it spoke a great deal of his courage. When he received 50m he finished from the goal line and gave West Perth a 31-point lead. Swans finished the quarter with three behinds and at the final change West Perth led by 28; 10.11 (71) to 6.7 (43).

Swans came out firing in the final quarter and had one on the board in quick time. A response was needed and it came in the form of Leeson who kicked his third after taking the ball off the back of the pack.

Not to be outdone the Black Ducks kicked the next two and at the 16-minute point trailed by 17 points. Once again a reply was needed and Max Duffy and Andrew Strijk nailed one each to put the result beyond doubt at the 21-minute mark. Swans kicked the last goal for the game but at the final siren West Perth had run out 23-point victors; 13.14 (92) to 10.9 (69).

It was a much needed victory and the effort of the team was an indication of this. They worked hard all day and the win will do a lot for the confidence of the side.

The colts had a 19-point loss and the reserves were unlucky to lose by two. Matt Johnson kicked three in the reserves and is working towards a league recall.

Best players for the league included Aaron Black, Blake Wilhelm, Ben King, Tyler Keitel, Luke Meadows and Drew Rohde. It was great to see Shane Nelson back and the inclusion of youngsters Dean Munns and Mitch Peirce has added to the team. Next week it is a trip to Kulin to take on the Tigers. Let’s hope for another victory.

BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR