CLASSY TIGERS TOO GOOD FOR FALCONS

The last time the West Perth Reserves played Claremont they were outclassed but Falcons supporters turned up with a degree of confidence on Sunday at Claremont Oval. There were a number of inclusions from the League team who were qualified and a closer game was envisaged. But it was not to be as Claremont showed why they had only lost one game for the year. They dominated to run out seventy seven point winners. The good news is that our Reserves get another chance in the Preliminary Final next week and they will be joined by the Colts who had a strong thirty three point win against East Perth in the first semi-final.

The Falcons started the game in fine form and scored the first goal of the game within a minute. It went to Alec Johnson who snapped accurately from twenty. But from here the Tigers dominated the term to have nine consecutive scoring shots. As a result, they led by twenty-three at the first change; 4.5 (29) to 1.0 (6). The Claremont run and pressure was very good and made it very difficult for West Perth to play with any precision.

Unfortunately, the second quarter was more of the same. Claremont had nine scoring shots to one. The only Falcon score came at the eleven minute mark when Alec Johnson passed to Mitch Antonio forty out. He kicked accurately but by half time the game was out of West Perth’s reach. They trailed 9.9 (63) to 2.0 (12). It was hard not to be impressed by the way Claremont went about it.

The third quarter was a more even affair with West Perth being narrowly outscored three goals to two. They played with more precision and held their own. Claremont continued their form kicking the first two before West Perth hit back with two of their own. Terrell McKenzie hit the scoreboard at the thirteen minute mark. He tried hard all day and looks a player of the future. The other major went to another youngster, Jack Burke. It was a nice finish. At this time the margin was forty nine. The last part of the quarter was hard fought but Claremont kicked a late one to take a fifty four point lead into the last change. They led 12.9 (81) to 4.3 (27).

The last quarter was controlled by Claremont. They outscored the Falcons five goals to one. Claremont forward, Corey Hitchcock, kicked another couple to take his match tally to seven. The amount of supply that he had made it very difficult for the Falcons defence. The West Perth goal came at the twenty two minute mark and it went to Tom Boyes who also battled hard all day. At the final siren West Perth had suffered a seventy seven point defeat; 17.11 (113) to 5.6 (36). It was a tough day at the office but the team gets another chance next week.

The Reserves will play East Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on Sunday in the Preliminary Final. Their form has been very consistent all year and they will rebound. Best players were hard to find for the Falcons as we didn’t have too many winners on the day. Drew Blurton tried valiantly with a game high eleven tackles while Troy Yukich battled hard in the ruck. Liam Tedesco was solid and Terrell McKenzie didn’t stop trying.

The Colts were far too strong for East Perth and earned themselves a Preliminary Finals berth as well. They led all day and ran out thirty three point winners; 11.8 (74) to 6.5 (41). They are more than capable of earning a Grand Final berth. Best players included Heath Chapman, Koopah Todd, Logan Foley, Arivinda Cohen, Callum Johnson and Liam Martin. Still a lot to look forward to so be there to help get the teams over the line.