WPWFC ROUND 3 WRAP UP

RESERVES

Sunday saw the Falcons Reserves take on the herculean task of reeling in an East Fremantle shark or two. The Sharks had done some thorough pre-season recruiting from inter and intrastate ranks, and so they came into Round 3 having chewed on the Bulldogs by 127 points and 31 scoring shots in Round 1, and then taken a sizeable chunk out of the Lions by 78 points and 26 scoring shots in Round 2.

While our Reserves team were beaten by 37 points, we still chopped a few fins off by limiting the Sharks to their lowest scoring shots this season; 50% lower than their previous encounter. The players didn’t see the game as a loss though, they saw it as a lesson gained and a future target locked in.

As we’ve come to expect from Courtney Collard, the first quarter began with a quick goal off her preferred foot. While we had the ball in scoring range a few times, it was mostly spent in the Sharks’ forward line, with their strong midfield clearing it out the backdoor too easily. Our midfield team, with debut player, Courtney McDaniel, and experienced stalwart, Tracy Gallagher, worked hard to stop the Sharks’ surge, and there was much talk between players to ensure they stuck to their targets.

During the quarter time huddle, their coach, Edward Beck, reiterated that it would come down to playing out all four quarters and making sure there was nothing left in the tank at the end of the game. With his words energising the players, they hit the second quarter ready to blast fish some sharks. 

Our second goal came in the second quarter after the hard-running efforts of Erin O’Brien who was rewarded for a strong tackle. She delivered the free kick to Tiahna Scandrett who then returned volley back to O’Brien to seal the deal. Part way through the second quarter, Hope Ugle went down with a brutal head clash and was taken off the ground due to the blood rule. With the smell of blood in their nares, and our balance in the midfield upset with injuries, the Sharks went on a goal spree. The grit and tenacity of key defenders, Caitlin Guthrie and Trish Medwin, kept them from breaking free entirely.

In the third quarter the Falcons went in with one less rotation, but the team welcomed the return of Hope Ugle, bandaged up and just as hungry for the ball as ever. Our defensive team, particularly Zoe Jones with her intercept marking and Teal Bennett with her powerful tackling, stood tall against repeat entries into the Sharks’ 50, managing to keep their scoring shots to four. Hard work from Kat Bennett and Ash Greenwell paid off with the ball moving into our 50 more often towards the end of the third quarter, but we simply weren’t able to convert.

Going into the fourth quarter we continued our forward entry trend. Amber Ugle-Hayward led the charge, with Erin O’Brien often finding herself in the thick of things, and Kat Bennett once again holding the wall to keep the ball in our offensive half. Unfortunately, unlike the Sharks, we weren’t able to make the most of our scoring opportunities, but we certainly proved that we can run a game out and win a quarter or two against an elite opponent.

While we didn’t end up with the win, our Reserves players proved themselves to be fearless and resolute in their pursuit of a big game fish, and we’re feeling more confident that next time we might just take home a trophy jaw for the pool room.

ROGERS CUP

There is no bigger test for a young side than to take on last year’s Premiers, but it was a challenge this young Falcon team was up for and with 13 first year players in the third game of the season. They certainly took it up to Peel, who had won its first two games this season by 40 and 72 points and while eventually succumbing by 29 points they certainly proved they are up for the task and with more experience will be on the better side of the results, but this time round the scoreboard showed 3.4 (22) to 7.9 (51), which leaves us in 5^th spot after 3 rounds.

The game started with Peel controlling the early territory dual and our Falcons were defending strongly and none better than the youngest player on the field Liliana Grassenis, who was asked several questions early and she answered easily with some great spoils and hard tackles setting the tone for the rest of the side.

While it did take around half the quarter before the West Perth started to gain some control, it came from some great linking play and strong forward play topped off by Holly Morris who snapped truly to put the Falcons in front, which it would have held if not for a clever snap by Peel from a goal square ball-up.

It only took one minute in the second quarter from a great centre clearance and a brilliant tackle from Mahli Turland, who kicked a goal from the top of the square to put the Falcons in front. Tahli Wilkins was thriving on the tough contest and gathered plenty of possessions and helping the Falcons hold sway in a tightly fought quarter. An unlucky kick off the ground that went straight to a Thunder player and a free kick gifting Peel the lead at the main change by 11 points.

The third quarter was one that Peel showed why they were last years’ premiers, with quick breaks, strong marking and numbers around the ball and while Liliana continued her great efforts down back with Chelsea Mills-Campbell making some great attacking decisions from deep in defence to support her, Peel were still able to add a couple more goals to stretch the lead out to 22 points at the last change.

The Falcons were not going to go away easily and even though Peel grabbed the first two goals in the last quarter to extend the lead, this is where West Perth finished the game full of running and controlled territory themselves for most of it, Tarzara Kelly kicked the Falcons third and Mahli Turland who was Best for the Falcons had several opportunities to bridge the gap further.