FALCONS OVERRUN LIONS TO MAKE IT FOUR STRAIGHT

WEST Perth returned from the bye and got a measure of revenge over Subiaco with a 26-point win at Medibank Stadium that gives the Falcons a fourth straight victory to return to the WAFL's top five.

The Falcons' season looked in trouble at 1-4 heading into the Anzac Day Round clash with Swan Districts, but that sparked a form turnaround for West Perth that has now led into wins over Claremont, Peel Thunder and Subiaco.

West Perth's 25-point win over Subiaco in stormy conditions at Leederville on Saturday improves the Falcons to a 5-4 record to replace East Perth in the top five ahead of a clash with Perth this Saturday at Lathlain Park.

It was a tight first half between the two grand finalists from last year, but the Falcons dominated from midway through the third quarter onwards kicking eight of the game's last 10 goals to win 11.11 (77) to 7.9 (51).

It is no coincidence that West Perth's form turnaround has gone hand in hand with key players returning from injury. Prior to the bye it was Shane Nelson and Kody Manning, and on Saturday Laine Rasmussen and Joe Morrow both came back strongly to be key players in the back-line.

Nelson was again outstanding in the midfield for West Perth with 35 possessions, six inside-50 entries and four tackles.

He got plenty of support with Rohan Kerr finishing with 25 disposals and two goals while Trent Manzone gathered 23 touches, Aaron Black 20, Aidan Lynch 19 (nine tackles) and Jay van Berlo 18.

Dean Munns continued his strong performances running with some of the league's best midfielders and held Leigh Kitchin to just the 11 possessions.

West Perth coach Bill Monaghan decided to go into the game without a recognised ruckman opting to play Drew Rohde in that role to try and limit the effectiveness of Subiaco's Lachlan Delahunty around the ground. Rohde worked hard in his unfamiliar role for 14 touches, seven tackles and 17 hit outs.

The Falcons back-line stood up strongly again with Luke Meadows terrific with another 24 possessions while Tyler Keitel had 21 touches while holding Clancy Wheeler goalless. Nick Rodda also did well keeping Hamish Shepheard to just the one goal and four kicks.

Kody Manning, Matt Johnson and Max Duffy all kicked two important goals each for West Perth.

The weather was always going to make it a tough afternoon for skilful football but Johnson showed no signs of that when he drilled the opening goal from outside 50 for the Falcons six minutes into the first term.

Subiaco was able to respond with the last two majors of the opening term, though, to Simon Moore and Kyal Horsley to take a four-point lead into the first break.

When Hamish Shepheard kicked his only goal of the day to start the second quarter the Lions opened a 10-point advantage but the Falcons steadied and good goals to Manning and Duffy put the Falcons two points to the good at half-time.

The rain came pouring down at half-time to make the game even more of a scrap to the third quarter but when Shaquille McKenzie and Liam Ryan kicked two goals in as many minutes at the nine and 11-minute marks, the Lions regained the lead and were up by as much as eight points.

West Perth responded once more, however, and a strong kick in the tough conditions from Lourey made the margin two points. Manning once more showed his pace to run on to a ball first in the forward 50 and his soccer goal from deep in the pocket was remarkable.

When Duffy also kicked his second off the ground minutes later, West Perth had assumed control to lead by 10 points and then still by 13 at three quarter-time when Browne sneaked forward to kick one.

Kerr kicked truly for the first goal of the final quarter to make the margin 21 points.

Subiaco made one more crack at a comeback with successive goals to Ben Sokol and Ryan to get back within 10 points, but the Falcons kicked the final three of the game from Johnson, Hamilton and Kerr to score a fourth successive win to the tune of 26 points.

West Perth's reserves came up short against Subiaco at Medibank Stadium with the Lions winning 10.12 (72) to 6.9 (45) on the back of a six goal to one third quarter.

Keegan Knott finished with three goals from 20 possessions for West Perth while Corey Chalmers racked up 38 disposals, Kris Shannon 30, Shane Bonney 24, Mitch Peirce 23, Angus Allen 20, Max Alexander 19 and Luke Tedesco 18.

Seva Mozhaev battled through the tough conditions in the ruck for 13 possessions and 46 hit outs while Chris Keunen played limited minutes on return from his broken leg for four touches and six hit outs.

West Perth's colts took out a hard fought 6.5 (41) to 5.5 (35) victory over Subiaco at Medibank Stadium to start the day on Saturday.

Oscar Allen kicked three goals for West Perth and Kurt Monaghan two while Zac Guadagnin gathered 26 possessions, Josh Romanelli 22 and Brayden Thompson 21.

WEST PERTH        1.3    3.5    7.8    11.11    (77)
SUBIACO        2.1    3.3    5.7    7.9    (51)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Kerr, Johnson, Duffy, Manning 2; Hamilton, Lourey, Browne.
Best: Nelson, Keitel, Meadows, Munns, Kerr, Manzone, Lynch.
SUBIACO – Goals: Ryan 2; Shepheard, McKenzie, Sokol, Moore, Horsley.
Best: Horsley, Delahunty, Broughton, Phelan, Twomey, Mahoney.