FALCONS TAKE THE POINTS IN KULIN THRILLER

WEST Perth took some confidence out of a hard fought win over Swan Districts to Kulin and with the added support of another returning premiership player the Falcons prevailed in a high-quality contest over Claremont by seven points.

The Falcons' season was potentially on the rocks at 1-4 following a disappointing derby loss to East Perth but now with wins over Swan Districts and Claremont things are decidedly back on track at 3-4 heading into Saturday's return to HBF Arena against the third placed Peel Thunder.

Kulin hosted a WAFL fixture for the first time on Saturday and they were treated to a tremendous contest between two teams hungry for their third wins of 2016.

The biggest lead of the afternoon was the 20 points West Perth was in front by heading into time-on of the second quarter. But the next five goals saw Claremont lead by 10 points, and then again by 14 early in the final term.

But the Falcons kicked the game's next three goals with Joel Leeson booting four on his own in the second half after Andrew Strijk kicked four in the opening half to see West Perth secure the 15.11 (101) to 14.10 (94) victory.

On top of Strijk and Leeson standing up to kick four goals apiece, Kody Manning marked his return for his first game since injuring a leg in Round 2 by kicking two goals to go with 19 possessions. Michael Lourey was well held but stood up to kick the winning goal at the 30-minute mark.

Shane Nelson showed that he hasn’t missed a beat despite missing the first five games of the season racking up 36 possessions in his second game back from a fractured finger.

Luke Meadows is now in career-best form for the Falcons giving tremendous drive off half-back particularly with Strijk spending the afternoon forward. Meadows finished with 33 disposals and eight marks.

Rohan Kerr also racked up 30 touches for West Perth, Jay van Berlo 28, Trent Manzone 27, Aaron Black 26, Drew Rohde 23 and Aidan Lynch 21 to go with six tackles.

Seva Mozhaev returned after a week in the reserves and after copping a nasty knock that saw him stretchered off and taken to hospital to be checked out. He had a good battle with Mitch Andrews as well with Mozhaev finishing with 14 possessions and 19 hit outs in the ruck.

Second-gamer Dean Munns also did a good job for West Perth holding Claremont's Jye Bolton to just 10 disposals after he had been averaging 29 the previous four games.

Kulin was treated to one of the WAFL matches of the season to date with West Perth and Claremont both desperate for the crucial four points.

The Tigers got the game's first goal through Darcy Cameron but West Perth's move of playing Strijk deep in attack began paying immediate dividends when he kicked two goals in the space of three minutes.

Claremont was able to respond through Matthew Palfrey but another West Perth veteran van Berlo got in the act next to consolidate the Falcons' lead at seven points.

Max Duffy responded to one goal by Ryan Neates but when the Tigers midfielder kicked a second just before quarter-time, Claremont held a one-point advantage.

The Falcons appeared capable of running away with the contest opening up a 20-point lead heading into time-on of the second term following two more goals to Strijk, and one each to Rohde and Mark Hamilton.

But the Tigers kicked the last four goals of the half, including three in the final two minutes as Cameron and Beau Maister caught fire to help Claremont to a four-point half-time lead following a high quality half of WAFL football.

Claremont stretched its lead to 10 points with a fifth goal in succession with Maister kicking truly to start the second half. But West Perth quickly responded to Leeson and then regained the lead by a point when Manning booted his first goal of the season.

Following an Ian Richardson goal, Leeson kicked his second of the third term to regain the lead for West Perth but once more Claremont threatened to open a match-winning lead with goals to Jack Richardson and Cameron just before three quarter-time, and then Cameron's fourth start the final term.

That saw the Tigers lead by 14 points but the Falcons were able to rise a gear with Leeson booting a third and fourth goal of the season, and Manning a second to put them up by a goal heading into time-on.

Claremont answered through former Falcon Mitch Andrews with scores all tied up. West Perth gained the lead with a behind and then sealed the victory with Michael Lourey's only goal of the afternoon.

West Perth and Claremont's colts and reserves both took place at HBF Arena on Sunday.

The colts began on Sunday at HBF Arena with Claremont running out 18.15 (123) to 3.6 (24) winners.

Ewan Larmett, Eamon Gilbert and Hunter Onn were West Perth's goal kickers.

Liam Baker gathered 24 possessions for the Falcons, Kurt Hindmarsh 21, Josh Rotham 20, Nick Marinovich 17, Zac Guadagnin 16 and Onn 16.

The reserves then took to HBF Arena and Claremont also won that over West Perth 13.16 (94) to 11.9 (75).

Keegan Knott played against his former side for the first time and kicked three goals from 16 possessions for West Perth with Tyson Moulton and Martin Geraghty booting two goals each.

Mitch Peirce responded to being dropped following the first two league games of his career with 23 possessions while Ben Mountford gathered 17 disposals, Alexander Coe 16 and Shane Bonney 15.

WEST PERTH        4.1    8.4    11.6    15.11    (101)
CLAREMONT        4.2    9.2    13.3    15.4    (94)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Leeson, Strijk 4; Manning 2; Lourey, Hamilton, Rohde, Duffy, van Berlo.
Best: Nelson, Meadows, Leeson, Manning, Kerr, van Berlo, Rohde, Manzone.
CLAREMONT – Goals: Cameron 4; Maister 3; J Richardson, Neates 2; Andrews, Yu, Palfrey.
Best: Cameron, Yu, Andrews, Neates, Ledger, Hardisty, Maister.