FALCONS WIN A CRACKER

FALCONS WIN A CRACKER

Tyler Keitel was a match winner in his hundredth game for West Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday. He kicked six goals to lead the Falcons to a seven-point victory in what was a terrific game of WAFL football. The result was in doubt right until the end and the win against a very good Perth side was full of merit. The Colts, once again, had a dominant victory while the Reserves went down narrowly in what was another close fought contest.

Two of West Perth’s best players were involved in the first minute of play that resulted in a goal to the Falcons. Luke Meadows took possession at the first bounce and his long kick forward saw Tyler Keitel kick the first of his six from the square. The Falcons’ were off to a flyer after a clever kick forward by Laine Rasmussen saw Mike Lourey mark thirty out and kick his first. After three minutes the visitors were up by twelve but from here the quarter belonged to the Demons. They controlled play and their tall forwards took advantage. They kicked five unanswered goals to lead by nineteen at the first change; 5.3 (33) to 2.2 (14). One of the goals went to young key forward, Logan McDonald, who is a real talent. He ended up with three on the day.

The first twelve minutes of football in the second quarter by West Perth was as good as you will see. They kicked six goals during this time to change the nineteen-point deficit to a lead of the same amount. Kris Shannon got the ball rolling with a goal on the run from fifty. Tyler Keitel then took the game by the scruff of the neck and kicked the next three. The first two came from really strong marks going back with the ball. A kick forward by Luke Meadows was marked fifteen out to complete the purple patch and after seven minutes the Falcons led by five. Debutant, Lachlan Johns, was involved in the next when he handballed to Mitch Peirce who scored the first of his two for the day. The youngster battled hard all day. At the twelve-minute mark Tyler Keitel kicked his fifth to take the margin to nineteen. It was an outstanding period of play during which time West Perth dominated. Brent Edmonds got one back for the home team after some good work up forward. The final goal for the quarter went to dangerous small forward, Keegan Knott, who finished after taking possession at the back of the pack and running into an open goal. In a real turn around the Falcons led by seventeen at the main break: 9.4 (58) to 6.5 (41).

Perth, who are a very good team, were not to be denied and they hit back in the third quarter. They kicked the first two and the margin was just three after eight minutes. The really good game of football was continuing. Mitch Peirce steadied the ship with his second and this saw West Perth take control for a period of time. They kicked three behinds before Mike Lourey scored his second after marking thirty out. The advantage was out to eighteen but Perth rallied to score the last two and as a result West Perth went into the last change with a narrow seven-point lead: 11.8 (74) to 10.7 (67). It was certainly game on.

The first part of the final quarter belonged to the Demons and at the five-minute mark a second major to Brant Colledge saw scores all tied up. It was a high quality game of fluctuating football. As they had done all day, West Perth steadied to kick the next two. Aaron Black received a free, handballed to Tyler Keitel who kicked his sixth from outside fifty. At the twelve-minute mark Dylan Yem marked forty out to kick his first and take the margin to twelve. It was a just reward for all of his hard tackling and forward line pressure. The rest of the quarter was spent by West Perth trying to hold out a determined Perth team. A third goal to Logan McDonald and a behind saw the margin reduced to just five with minutes remaining. The Falcons kicked two more behinds to record their 13.12 (90) to 12.11 (83) victory. I know that it is always easier to say when you win but it concluded one of the best games of WAFL football that you could hope to see.

Best players for the League team were Tyler Keitel, Connor West, Luke Meadows, Aaron Black, Dylan Yem and Noah Pegoraro. It was another very good team performance and an indication that the team is really building into the shortened season.

The Reserves suffered a seven-point loss after being in the contest all day but were unable to get over bottom side Perth who registered their first win of the season. The scores were Perth 12.8 (80) to West Perth 11.7 (73). Best players were Mitch Antonio and Tristan Hobley, who kicked two each, Sam Rotham and Troy Yukich.

The Colts were, once again, dominant in their 17.10 (112) to 5.4 (34) win. They remain undefeated and are playing a great brand of football. The win was their 5^th for the season and guarantees the team a spot on the finals. A number of players have the potential to be very good League players and be the future of the Club. Corey Rundle kicked another five and he was well supported by Callum Johnson, Heath Chapman, Rohan Scurria, Michael Mallard and Darcy Dixon.

Ensure you get along next week to Provident Financial Oval as we take on East Fremantle in what is a pivotal game for all grades before the bye.