GOALLESS SECOND QUARTER DOES THE DAMAGE!

The Falcons started the game in fine form but a second quarter during which they didn’t kick a goal was the deciding factor in the game against the Bulldogs on Sunday. At no time did West Perth not try hard but the dominance of South Fremantle big man, Brock Higgins, gave their midfield a lot of opportunities and at the end of the day it was too much for the Falcons to overcome. The late withdrawal of Andrew Strijk was also a factor as the West Perth forward line struggled to take advantage of their scoring opportunities.

Trent Manzone got the ball rolling early for West Perth with a clever left foot snap from the boundary forty out. Shortly after scores were tied after livewire Bulldogs forward, Dion Munkara, kicked the first of his three. The Falcons scored the next two to take a twelve point lead midway through the term. Corey Chalmers took the ball off hands to score from thirty and then Tyler Keitel ran into an open goal after the ball went over the back of the pack. But the home team steadied to kick the next three to take the lead. Towards the end of the quarter a clever kick forward by Rudy Riddoch enabled Tyler Keitel to score the second of his four majors for the day. In an entertaining first quarter scores were tied at the first change with both teams kicking four goals each.

The second quarter ended up being the one that decided the game. West Perth was unable to kick a major while the home team scored four to take a twenty five point lead into the main break. Dylan Main was starting to make his presence felt up forward for the Bulldogs and he was to be a danger man all day. At half time Souths led 8.3 (51) to 4.2 (26).

Both sides kicked three goals in the third quarter and as a result West Perth didn’t make up the ground that it needed to, to give themselves a real chance in the last quarter. Main kicked his second for the home team to extend the lead before livewire forward, Keegan Knott, snapped one out of the pack. The Bulldogs got the next before consecutive Falcons goals narrowed the margin to twenty one. A clever pass by Keegan Knott helped Corey Chalmers to kick his second before a long kick forward gave Keegan Knott the opportunity to score his second. Unfortunately a Bulldog reply occurred within a minute when they took the ball straight out of the middle and Haiden Schloithe finished on the run. At three quarter time the job was well and truly in front of the Falcons as they trailed by twenty seven; 11.5 (71) to 7.2 (44).

West Perth kicked three straight in the last quarter to seven behinds by South Fremantle. Even though the final margin was only sixteen the Falcons didn’t look likely to win the game. Tyler Keitel scored two more to take his match tally to four. It was great to see him back in the side and the forward line can only improve when Andrew Strijk joins him. Keegan Knott had a hand in the other when he carried the ball and handballed to Kris Shannon who finished from the square. At the final siren West Perth were defeated by sixteen; 11.12 (78) to 10.2 (62). The 0-3 start has certainly put the team under pressure early in the season.

Best players for the Falcons included Aaron Black who took a screamer in the fourth quarter, Tyler Keitel, Mitch Peirce, Keegan Knott, Laine Rasmussen and Mike Lourey. A big game looms against Swan Districts in the ANZAC Day game next Saturday. There is no doubt that at their best West Perth can recover from the slow start.

For the second week in a row the Reserves were narrow three point losers. With a bit of luck they could be undefeated. Best players included Aidan Lynch who had thirty three possessions, Alec Johnson who kicked three, Bailey Chalmers, Tom O’Donnell and Jake Turner.

The Colts had a stirring six point win after trailing by fourteen midway through the final quarter. They finished strongly to score their second win for the year. Best players included Zak Patterson, Koopah Todd, Jaxon Prior, Ryan Hudson and Ben Johnson.

A very big day of football against Swan Districts next week. The Falcons need your support so be there to help get the teams over the line.