FALCONS ATTACK ON THE FOOTBALL A FEATURE

THERE was a lot to like about  West Perth's victory at HBF Arena on Saturday. The start of the game coincided with a heavy down pour of rain after the Falcons won the toss and kicked into the wind.

From the first bounce the West Perth attack on the football was ferocious and as the game progressed it was also unrelenting. Due to the conditions, the game didn’t reach any great heights but the pressure exerted by the Falcons was to be admired and it resulted in an important victory.

An indicator of the conditions at HBF Arena was the fact that during the reserves game a storm passed over the ground and in the process ripped the hand off the time clock.

The game started in conditions similar to this and Peel attacked relentlessly as they had first use of the breeze. The West Perth defence held up admirably, though and the first five scoring shots of the game were behinds with Peel scoring four. The first goal didn’t come until the 22-minute mark when Tanner Smith kicked the first of his two for the Thunder from 50. Shortly after Michael Lourey took a strong pack mark 30 out to kick West Perth’s first. Luke Meadows then scored one from outside 50 to give West Perth an unlikely lead into the breeze. Meadows has been in wonderful form and his development as a player, in combination with other backmen Tyler Keitel and Drew Rohde has been a major reason for the improvement shown by the Falcons as the year has progressed. At the first change West Perth led 2.1 (13) to Peel 1.5 (11). 

Once again goals were hard to score in the second quarter with both sides scoring one each. The only Falcons goal for the quarter came at the two-minute mark when Andrew Strijk marked 30 out. His accurate kick was the first of two for the game. At the 15-minute mark Peel replied to reduce the margin to three but behinds were the only score for the rest of the term. West Perth led by six at the main change; 3.7 (25) to 2.7 (19).

The third quarter was going to be make or break for Peel but it was West Perth who kicked the first, and their only goal for the quarter, at the 10-minute mark. It went to Kody Manning who showed his trademark pressure on the opposition that provided him with the opportunity to scramble a major from 40. The West Perth lead was 12 points but Peel now took advantage of the breeze to have the last four scoring shots of the term. Smith kicked his second and Sam Collins also hit the scoreboard. The visitors took a two-point lead into the last change; 4.10 (34) to 4.8 (32).

There was a lot to like about the West Perth last quarter as they doubled their goal tally during that time. The term started with another great individual effort by Manning who kicked his second from the pocket. This was followed by a second to Strijk that was the result of a wonderful snap from 40. The third in the run went to Steven Browne who received a free 40 out for a high tackle. He kicked accurately to give West Perth an 18-point lead at the 14-minute mark. Peel youngster Calvin Thorne got one back going into time on but when Trent Manzone scored from 30 shortly after the 17-point victory was ensured. At the final siren West Perth were 8.10 (58) to 5.11 (41) victors.

The victory has given a 4-4 split going into the bye having played each team once and laid the foundation for an even better second part of the season. There are still a number of experienced players to come into the side but the task is going to be difficult for them to displace some of the youngsters who have stepped up. During Bill Monaghan’s tenure as coach he has shown a real knack at introducing players to league football when they are ready.

Best players for the league team, in no particular order, included Tyler Keitel, Luke Meadows, Drew Rohde, Rohan Kerr, Kody Manning and Steven Browne. The reserves had their second victory for the year but the colts went down. The bye next week before the Falcons get another grand final rematch against Subiaco at Leederville.

BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR