LIGHTNING 'STRIJK' NOT ENOUGH FOR FALCONS

THERE were very few highlights for West Perth against Subiaco at Kingsway Reserve on Saturday. The shining light was Andrew Strijk who kicked West Perth’s first four goals of the game and Joe Morrow who kicked his first ever Falcons league goal. Morrow was moved up forward after West Perth's forwards, excluding 'Strijky', struggled to have an impact . The match was played on a rain soaked oval that Subiaco handled much better.

The first quarter set the tone for the game with Subiaco dominating from the opening bounce. The Lions had the first goal on the board within a minute before West Perth scored a behind. From here it was all the home side as they controlled play to have the next 10 scoring shots but fortunately for the Falcons seven of them were behinds. Subiaco led by 30 points at the 26-minute mark before Strijk took possession on 50 to kick his, and the Falcons, first. It was going to be tough from here as West Perth trailed 4.7 (31) to 1.1 (7) at the first break.

The second quarter was a very scrappy affair with the Falcons fighting hard to rein in Subiaco. They successfully did this with both sides scoring 1.3 each. Early in the term Drew Rohde was knocked out in a clash of bodies. He was stretchered off the ground and Falcons supporters breathed a sigh of relief when he was able to sit on the bench to watch the second half. As a result of this it was a long quarter and it was the 34-minute mark before the Falcons got their goal. This was to Andrew Strijk who marked 40 out. His shot went through just as the siren went. At the main break West Perth still trailed by twenty four; 5.10 (40) to 2.4 (16).

The third quarter was dominated by Subiaco and as a result the game was well and truly out of West Perth’s reach going into the last quarter. The Falcons only scored two behinds to the Lions 3.5. It was a quarter in which nothing went right and this was reflected on the scoreboard. The bigger bodies of Subiaco pushed the ball forward continually and reaped the rewards. At the final change they led by 45 points; 8.15 (63) to 2.6 (18).

Early in the fourth quarter Subiaco extended its lead to 51 points before a clash of heads saw key midfielder, Shane Nelson, come off the field with a suspected broken nose and jaw. We all hope that the injury is not as serious as it seems and that he recovers quickly. This certainly made a bad day much worse. The Lions had taken the lead out to 57 before Strijk kicked his third and fourth to reduce the margin and still be the only West Perth goal kicker well into the final quarter. This changed late in the quarter when a long kick forward by Michael Lourey was marked by Morrow close to goal. He duly went back and slotted his first league goal. At the final siren a wet and bedraggled West Perth left the ground after losing by 52 points. The final scores were 12.17 (89) to 5.7 (37).

The loss makes it impossible for West Perth to finish top two but a top three finish remains likely. It is vital to give West Perth two chances for the finals. It was a day in which things just didn’t go to plan and they have shown that they can match it with the best sides. The colts and reserves also suffered losses. Players to receive awards at the joint presentations after the game included Ben King, Tyler Keitel and best was Andrew Strijk. Another important game against the Tigers at home next week. It is the second last game of the year and a win will go a long way towards stitching up third spot.

BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR