FALCONS UNABLE TO MATCH IN-FORM ROYALS

West Perth was outplayed by East Perth at Leederville Oval on WA Day. On paper it appeared to be a difficult task to defeat the home team that was bolstered by the inclusion of fourteen AFL listed players. Unfortunately for Falcons supporters this proved to be the case and they were defeated by forty six points. The East Perth run through the midfield provided their forwards with a host of opportunities and they took full advantage in the 14.19 (103) to 7.15 (57) victory.

East Perth started the game in fine form and it proved to be a precursor of what was to come. By the six minute mark they had raced to a fourteen point lead as a result of controlling the clearances. The first Falcon goal came two minutes later and it was courtesy of Aaron Black. He was very busy early and worked hard all day. At the ten minute mark, Tyson Moulton scored after he was hit on the chest by a precise Jay van Berlo pass. The visitors now trailed by only two and after three more behinds they had wrested the advantage back to lead by a behind. But unfortunately that was to be as good as it got for the Falcons because a Willie Rioli goal shortly after gave East Perth back the lead and it was one that they continued to build on for the rest of the game. Tyler Keitel was busy during this term but unfortunately his kicking was astray and he scored three behinds. Despite this there is no doubt that he will develop into a quality key forward. At the first change East Perth led by eleven; 4.3 (27) to 2.4 (16).

The Falcons battled hard during the second term but it wasn’t enough to stop East Perth extending their lead. Despite having a number of opportunities they only managed to score one goal. This came at the five minute mark when a Rudy Riddoch pass hit Mike Lourey on the chest, in the square. He went back and kicked the first of his two for the day. Lourey was to be the Falcons only multiple goal scorer. East Perth continued to control the midfield and attack consistently and as a result established a twenty five point half time lead; 7.8 (50) to 3.7 (25). The Falcons defence battled hard but the number of opportunities proved too much.

It was vital that West Perth kick the first goal of the third quarter to get back into the contest but despite their best efforts they weren’t able to achieve this. The first six scoring shots of the term were all behinds with each side kicking three apiece. The first goal at the thirteen minute mark went to the Royals and this took their lead to thirty one. Two more behinds to West Perth followed before another to the home side made their advantage thirty five. At the nineteen minute mark West Perth scored their first goal since the five minute mark of the second quarter. It went to Luke Meadows, who had been moved forward, and was the result of a free kick. It hadn’t been through lack of trying, though, as an inaccurate West Perth had kicked ten behinds in the meantime. The East Perth run through the midfield continued to provide opportunities for the East Perth forwards and as a result by three quarter time they had established a match winning forty three point lead. Corey Chalmers kicked a goal from thirty just before the siren but this good work was undone by an instant East Perth reply right on the bell. At the final change East Perth led 12.13 (85) to 5.12 (42).

The fourth term was a replica of the first three as East Perth increased their advantage. West Perth kicked two for the term with Mike Lourey scoring on the run from fifty at the six minute mark and Aidan Lynch scoring from close in twenty minutes later. At the final siren East Perth had prevailed by forty six; 14.19 (103) to 7.15 (57).

It certainly wasn’t West Perth’s best game for the year but the Eagles having a bye next week and the return of a number of Eagles players from injury certainly made the task more difficult. Best players for the Falcons were probably hard to find but Aaron Black battled hard all day for his thirty six touches. He was supported by Shane Nelson, Scott Nelson and Dean Munns. In the context of the season the game against Swans at Steel Blue Oval next Sunday is a must win encounter. West Perth are capable of bouncing back; be there to get them over the line.

BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR ... click here to view more images