FALCONS SCORE A ROYAL VICTORY

West Perth continued their very good run of form with an impressive thirty one point victory against East Perth at HBF Arena on Monday. The result was in complete contrast to the ten goal defeat suffered earlier in the year and highlights the significance of the return of senior players and the development of the younger brigade. The strong attack on the football that has become a feature of the Falcon game plan was once again a key factor in the victory.

During the Reserves game there was a torrential downpour but this had cleared by the commencement of the League game. The surface was slippery but the conditions were fine for the entire game. The first score of the game was a rushed behind to the Royals but West Perth had the next five scoring shots to lead by nineteen at the eighteen minute mark. Aaron Black kicked the first bouncing one through from fifty. Kody Manning was in the action when he handballed to Rohan Kerr, who continued his good goal kicking form when he snapped from twenty. The third major in the run went to Aidan Lynch who received a free forty out. He kicked the first of his three for the day. His work around the packs was outstanding all day and he is developing into a very good midfielder. East Perth finished the term with the last four scoring shots but only one was a major. This went to big man Fraser McInnes and as a result the Falcons led by ten at the first change; 3.2 (20) to 1.4 (10).

The second quarter was a tight contest with inaccurate kicking by the Royals costing them a chance to regain the lead. By the eight minute mark they had reduced the lead to two before Aidan Lynch had another impact on the score board. He burst through the pack to snap his second on his non-preferred left foot before Mike Lourey kicked the first of his four to give West Perth a fourteen point lead midway through the term. The rest of the quarter belonged to the Royals though, as they attacked relentlessly. The Falcon defence held firm, however, and limited them to one goal only. Blake Wilhelm is developing into a key component of the Falcons back line. At the main break their ten point quarter time lead had been eaten into by three and West Perth led 5.3 (33) to 3.8 (26).

The third quarter set up the Falcon victory as they held the Royals to just two behinds and kicked three goals themselves. Kris Shannon got the ball rolling with a classy finish on the run from forty after a clever pass by Rohan Kerr. Shortly after Steve Potente scored from forty five when he received a free kick. The lead was out to nineteen at the nine minute mark. West Perth controlled the play but were unable to find the big opening until heading into time on. Aidan Lynch kicked his third after some hard work by Corey Chalmers. The lead was now twenty seven and this is what the three quarter time lead ended up being as both sides kicked two behinds each to finish the quarter. East Perth didn’t trouble the scorer until the twenty third minute. Going into the last term West Perth led 8.7 (55) to 3.10 (28).

The last quarter belonged to Falcon key forward, Mike Lourey, who kicked all three Falcon goals. The first was after a mark thirty out. His accurate kick took the lead out to thirty three. East Perth replied with the next two to get within twenty one but this was as close as they got. Lourey kicked his second for the quarter and third for the game after another strong mark. This was at the twelve minute mark. The next six scoring shots by both sides were all behinds before a very clever tap over the back of the pack by Andrew Strijk gave Mike Lourey the chance to run into an open goal and kick his fourth. The siren went shortly after to seal the important thirty one point victory; 11.9 (75) to 5.14 (44).

The win has given West Perth a three game buffer over the teams outside of the five and puts them only one win behind the top side South Fremantle, who have a game in hand. The bye because of the State game next week will be welcome as Kody Manning went off injured early in the first quarter and big man Mark Hamilton came off with an injured ankle late in the game. Rohan Kerr also came off with a suspected concussion so the break will be welcome. Chris Keunen got through the Reserves okay and will be looking to force his way back into the League team next game. Both the Reserves and Colts went down; players to receive awards for the Reserves included Ben King, Kael Coleman, Mitch Peirce and Jordan Mills. Best for the league included Shane Nelson, Mike Lourey, Dean Munns, Aidan Lynch and best was Tyler Keitel. Good luck to those players chosen to play in the State team next week. The week after is a fixture against Claremont at the Showgrounds.

BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR