Royals Outlast Falcons

It was a tight contest all day but the Royals were better in the crucial moments and as a result they broke the Falcons winning run. The home team ran out ten point winners against a West Perth team that tried hard all day. East Perth had a twenty four point lead early in the final term but despite the Falcons best efforts they weren’t able to overcome this advantage.

West Perth started the game brightly and scored at the three minute mark. A very clever tap by Tyler Keitel enabled Rudy Riddoch to finish from close in. Patrick McGinnity squared things up shortly after but the Falcons then had the best of the next ten minutes. They moved the ball crisply into the forward line and were rewarded when Tyler Keitel ran into an open goal. His work around the ground was, once again, very good. The lead was out to thirteen at the ten minute mark when a precise pass by Corey Chalmers saw Mitch Peirce mark forty out. The hero from last week slotted the major to have the Falcons up and about. But to East Perth’s credit they steadied to control the next fifteen minutes. Mitchell Dobson started the fight back for the Royals when he kicked the first of his four for the day. He was a real handful for the West Perth defence. At the twenty five minute mark they had established a two point lead. The Falcons had the lead at the first change, though, thanks to a Mike Lourey goal after he took the ball off hands to finish from close in. West Perth led by four at quarter time; 4.1 (25) to 3.3 (21).

The second quarter was as tight as the first with behinds being the order of the day early. East Perth took the lead at the six minute mark before a great individual effort by Corey Chalmers saw West Perth snatch back the lead. He smothered an opposition kick deep in the pocket, took possession and kicked a classy goal. The rest of the quarter was a battle of defences with each team only scoring one goal for the rest of the quarter. East Perth hit the lead midway through the term before the Falcons took it back at the twenty five minute mark. At this point in time a very clever kick on the outside of the boot by Rudy Riddoch hit “Strijky” on the chest thirty out. His straight kick gave West Perth a three point lead that they took into half time. They led 6.4 (40) to 5.7 (37).

The third quarter belonged to East Perth and they set up their victory during this time. The Falcons struggled to hit the scoreboard while the home team peppered the goals. Fortunately they were inaccurate and didn’t take full advantage of their opportunities. The Royals led by eighteen at the twenty seven minute mark. The only West Perth goal went as the siren sounded. Tyler Keitel marked on fifty and as his kick sailed towards goal the siren went. It was a very handy goal to say the least and as a result the Falcons trailed by only twelve going into the final quarter; 8.12 (60) to 7.6 (48).

The task became even more difficult when East Perth kicked the first two of the last term. One of these was a fourth to Mitchell Dobson. They were the only East Perth scores for the quarter but this advantage proved to be enough. From the ten minute mark West Perth controlled play but were unable to take advantage of their opportunities. A Shane Nelson kick forward was marked by big man, Ben Delaporte, fifteen out. His kick narrowed the lead to eighteen. Just before time on Mike Lourey marked forty out. His second goal had the Falcons right back in the game as they trailed by eleven. The ball just about spent the rest of the game in the West Perth forward line but they couldn’t take advantage and only managed one more behind. As a result they lost by ten; 10.12 (72) to 9.8 (62). The Falcons had the opportunity to snatch the game but just couldn’t finish off their chances.

The result keeps the Falcons just outside the top five on the same wins as Peel Thunder and the Royals. Best for West Perth were Tyler Keitel, Aiden Lynch, Rudy Riddoch, Blake Wilhelm and  Aaron Black.

The Reserves had a disappointing second half after a promising start. As a result they went down by forty eight; 15.14 (104) to 8.8 (56). Their form this year has been very good and they will rebound. Best players included Tom O’Donnell, Slade Hawkins, Alec Johnson, Connor West and Kael Coleman.

The Colts flew the flag for West Perth, and they continued their good form when they recorded a solid 13.13 (91) to 8.6 (54) victory. It was a consistent four quarter effort. Best players were Koopah Todd, Callum Johnson and Lachlan Rewell.

The Colts and Reserves will play a curtain raiser next week at 11:30am as we get back to home soil. This will be followed by our League team taking on West Coast Eagles for the very first time in what is now a must win crucial game in the context of our season. We hope to see you all there and support the boys to get over the line.