FALCONS RETAIN POLLY FARMER SHIELD FOR 5 th YEAR IN A ROW

FALCONS RETAIN POLLY FARMER SHIELD FOR 5^thYEAR IN A ROW

By Darrell Kent

West Perth retained the Polly Farmer Shield when they defeated East Perth by thirty points at Provident Financial Oval on Saturday. This is the fifth consecutive year that the Falcons have won the coveted shield. It was on the back of a dominant three quarter effort. At the end of the game the margin flattered the visitors as the home team was outscored five goals to nil in the last quarter but it doesn’t take away from what was another very good team performance.

The Royals kicked the first score of the day, a behind, but it was the only time that they were to lead all day. Tyler Keitel continued his outstanding first quarter form when he scored the first for West Perth. He was on the end of a long, penetrating pass by Rudy Riddoch. It was the first of his three for the term. Tristan Hobley then scored on the run from forty. He is continuing his rich vein of form and is a player of great promise. The eleven-point lead was reduced when East Perth kicked their first but Tyler Keitel responded with his second. It was a great kick from forty out, close to the boundary. Nathan Murray then kicked his first from the square when he played on after a Tyler Keitel free. He is also a youngster who is doing a lot right. The margin was now eighteen but at the twenty-seven-minute mark the Royals narrowed the margin, again, with a major. But the final one for the quarter went to the Falcons when Tyler Keitel scored his third after being on the end of a bullet like pass from Aaron Black. At the first change West Perth led by twenty: 5.4 (34) to 2.2 (14). 

West Perth took control of the game in the second quarter to set up their victory. At the three-minute mark West Perth scored the goal of the day. It started with Tyson Moulton in defence. He carried the ball, had two bounces, passed to Nathan Alexandre who handballed to Keegan Knott who slotted his first. At the ten-minute mark the lead was out to thirty-two when Mitch Antonio scored after receiving a free twenty out. Shortly after Keegan Knott extended the margin with his second before East Perth kicked their only major for the term. Conal Lynch got that back when he received a free as the Royals were kicking the ball in after a behind. He scored from the top of the square. A Shane Nelson handball enabled Nathan Murray to kick his second with a clever snap. At the main change West Perth led by forty-five: 10.7 (67) to 3.4 (22). It was an excellent first half of footy by the Falcons.

East Perth scored the first of the second half before West Perth hit back with two of their own. Some good work by Keegan Knott helped Tyler Keitel kick his fourth before a Rudy Riddoch pass saw Conal Lynch kick his second from forty. At the eleven-minute mark East Perth scored their only other goal for the term. The rest of the quarter was a bit of a slog but the Falcons kicked two to extend their lead to fifty-nine. Mitch Antonio scored his second with a clever snap and then his third after a Conal Lynch pass hit him on the chest just inside fifty. At the final change West Perth led 14.11 (95) to 5.6 (36).

The less said about the last quarter the better. East Perth kicked five majors to two behinds by the Falcons. It was the only downside to what was another very good win that now sees West Perth three games clear in the five. The final score was 14.13 (97) to 10.7 (67). Best players included Shane Nelson, Mark Hamilton, Dean Munns, Matthew Lloyd, Tristan Hobley and Nathan Murray. It was another very good, even, overall team performance. 

The Reserves were over run in the last quarter and lost by forty-seven. Tom Medhat was the only multiple goal scorer in the 12.7 (79) to 4.8 (32) loss. Best players included Sam Rotham, Callum Johnson, Henry Ryan, Sasha Kernutt and Jacob Turner. A number of Colts have been blooded and injuries have made it difficult for the Reserves to get any real consistency.

The Colts lost by nineteen: 12.9 (81) to 9.8 (62). Darcy Dixon and Byron Sherwood kicked two each and were among the best. Others to be recognised included Ryan Gallen, Luke Michael, Riley Sprigg and Luke Reilly.

Another big game next week at Provident Financial Oval against East Fremantle who will be looking to rebound after their loss. Be there to help get the sides over the line