FALCONS WINNING RUN ENDS AT HANDS OF ROYALS

WEST Perth's impressive WAFL winning streak came to an end at the hands of East Perth in the WA Day Derby at Leederville Oval with the Royals taking out a 46-point win.

East Perth and West Perth were both coming into the derby contest in impressive form with the Royals having won their last four games, and the Falcons their last five heading into last Saturday's historic state game victory for the WAFL over the VFL in Melbourne.

That set the scene for what shaped as a terrific derby battle at Leederville Oval on WA Day and the crowd responded with 5289 attending in what was the biggest turnout so far this WAFL season across the opening 11 rounds.

East Perth kicked the first and last two goals of the opening quarter, and then with six consecutive goals either side of half-time the Royals set up the eventual 14.19 (103) to 7.15 (57) victory.

The loss brings to an end West Perth's impressive five-game winning run but the Falcons remain well positioned this season with a 6-3 record in fourth position.

West Perth's midfield did have some good winners on the day with Aaron Black racking up 36 possessions to go with 11 marks and a goal fresh off his fourth time representing WA in last Saturday's win over Victoria.

Shane Nelson delivered another solid performance racking up 31 possessions for the Falcons while Luke Meadows finished with 25 disposals, Trent Manzone 25 and Jay van Berlo 23.

Michael Lourey booted two goals as West Perth's only multiple goalkicker from just five kicks and three marks. Tyler Keitel provided a good target in attack with 19 touches and 12 marks, but kicked just four behinds.

Rudy Riddoch was lively in the forward-line and led up well for 17 disposals and six marks even if he didn’t manage to kick a goal for the day.

Scott Nelson worked hard as a small defender for West Perth and ended the afternoon with 21 possessions and five marks.

East Perth had momentum from its four wins before the state game and brought that into the WA Day derby with two quick goals, the first from returning skipper Patrick McGinnity and then one to the in-form Will Maginness.

West Perth responded well with two goals of its own courtesy of Black and Tyson Moulton before the Royals ended the opening term with the last two majors thanks to Willie Rioli and Luke Partington to take an 11-point lead into quarter-time.

The Falcons opened the scoring in the second term when Lourey kicked his first of the afternoon to get back within five points, but that would be their last match for a quarter and-a-half with the Royals taking control.

Goals to Fraser McInnes, Daniel Venables and then Partington saw East Perth take a 25-point advantage into half-time.

Both teams struggled to find the major opening to start the second half with a strong of behinds at either end. But it was the Royals who soon got on target and with goals to Callum Hart, Venables and Malcolm Karpany all in quick succession, suddenly they held a match-winning 41-point advantage.

West Perth's goal drought ended thanks to Meadows heading into time-on of the third term but East Perth quickly responded with Partington booting a third. Another goal each before three quarter-time saw the Royals in control with a 43-point advantage.

A second goal for the day to Jack Redden to start the fourth quarter took East Perth to a 49-point lead. Lourey responded from 50m for West Perth before Ameduri responded for the Falcons to provide the home team with a game-high 52-point lead.

The Falcons booted the last goal of the game thanks to Aidan Lynch but it only cut the final margin to 46 points.

WA Day began on Monday at Leederville with the REDiMED Colts contest that saw East Perth beat West Perth 9.10 (64) to 6.10 (46).

Jack Burke kicked two goals for the Falcons to go with 15 possessions.

Tom Boyes finished with 23 disposals and 14 tackles for West Perth with Baylee James collecting 22 touches, Bailey Chalmers 20, Tom Medhat 16, Alec Johnson 15 and Nathan Murray 15.

Then in the reserves WA Day clash at Leederville Oval, East Perth beat West Perth 13.5 (83) to 9.8 (62).

Sam Rotham and Max Alexander kicked two goals apiece for West Perth.

Mitch Peirce continued to press his claims for a league recall racking up another 34 possessions while Ben McGillivray finished with 22 disposals, Alexander Coe 21, Conal Lynch 21, Kael Coleman 16 and James Batterham 16.

There was also good signs with some important players returning from injuries for West Perth. Joe Morrow had 16 possessions and 10 marks, Chris Keunen eight touches and 11 hit outs, and Ben King six disposals and six tackles.

West Perth backs up on Sunday against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval in what should be a terrific contest between two teams inside the top five.

WEST PERTH            2.4    3.7    5.12    7.15    (57)
EAST PERTH            4.3    7.8    12.13    14.19    (103)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Lourey 2; Black, Meadows, Chalmers, Moulton, Lynch.
Best: Black, Meadows, Shane Nelson, Manzone, Scott Nelson, Riddoch, van Berlo.
EAST PERTH – Goals: Partington 3; Venables, Redden 2; McGinnity, Maginness, Ameduri, Hart, Rioli, McInnes, Karpany.
Best: Redden, Maginness, Partington, McInnes, Jones, Masten, McGinnity.