FALCONS CONTINUE WINNING STREAK

FALCONS CONTINUE WINNING STREAK

By Darrell Kent

The West Perth Football Club had another very successful day at Provident Financial Oval on Saturday. All three grades were successful for the second week in a row and there is a lot to like about the way that all three teams are going about their business as the season nears its climax.

The League team, led by Tyler Keitel who kicked seven majors, were twenty-four point victors. Tyler kicked the first two within five minutes. The first after a great pass out of the middle from Aaron Black and the second after receiving a free forty out. At the ten-minute mark Keegan Knott scored after taking the ball off hands. The Falcon lead was twenty but it was to be their last major for the term. Behinds became the order of the day in a tight contest. Peel scored their only goal for the quarter at the end of the term that saw West Perth lead by sixteen: 3.6 (24) to 1.2 (8).

Peel scored three behinds to begin the second quarter before the Falcons kicked their first. Keegan Knott passed to Rudy Riddoch who finished from forty. Promising youngster Nathan Murray then hit the scoreboard. It was a classy finish, on the run, from forty on a sharp angle. The lead was out to thirty-two after Conal Lynch scrambled a major from the square. Peel got one back before Tyler Keitel kicked his third and fourth. The first was from twenty after some good work by Tyson Moulton and the next was a classy finish. He took possession forty out and bananaed it through while under pressure. Thunder scored the last of the quarter but West Perth had doubled their quarter time lead to be in front by thirty-two at the main change: 8.8 (56) to 3.6 (24). It was sad to see former Falcon, Stephen Hill, go off injured in his comeback game. I’m sure that all Falcon supporters wish him the best.

West Perth put the game to bed in the third quarter when they outscored Peel four goals to one. A long pass by Keegan Knott helped Tyler Keitel kick his fifth and a Conal Lynch kick saw Tyler finish from thirty for his sixth. The lead was now forty-four. Peel kicked their only major going into time on before West Perth finished the term best. Tom O’Donnell took a strong grab forty out and kicked accurately before Tyler Keitel scored his seventh. He took the ball off hands at the back of the pack to score. At the final change the lead was forty-nine: 12.9 (81) to 4.8 (32).

The last quarter continued the unlikely trend of the last two weeks. The Falcons only scored one behind while Thunder kicked four majors. The final margin of twenty-four flattered the visitors but there is no doubt that the Falcons coaching staff will be working hard to change this pattern as finals loom. The final score was 12.10 (82) to 8.10 (58).

The result entrenches the Falcons in the top five and has them in a position to challenge for top spot as they play the teams above them in the last five games. It is a credit to all involved at the Football Club and what the team has achieved and can achieve during the rest of the season. Best players included Tyler Keitel, Aaron Black, Shane Nelson, Noah Pegoraro, Tom Medhat, Zac Guadagnin and Ben Delaporte. As has been the case all year it was another very even team performance.

The Reserves are now in the five after a dominant eighty-point victory. They controlled the match from start to finish. It was great to see Zak Patterson return from injury after an extensive lay off and he kicked three goals to go along with three majors from Corey Rundle. Rohan Scurria and Logan Foley both kicked two a-piece with five other players kicking one. Best players included improving big man, Michael Mallard, Koopah Todd, Ryan Hudson, Matthew Mant and Callum Johnson.

The Colts scored a hard fought fifteen-point win: 13.6 (84) to 10.9 (69). Zarne Robis kicked three while Saverio Marafioti, Byron Sherwood and Ryan Gallen two each. Best players were Kane Bevan, Luke Reilly, Darcy Dixon, Griffith Julian and Saverio Marafioti. The team continues to improve as the season progresses.

It is fair to say that the games against Subiaco next week will be a real test. Be at Leederville Oval to help get the teams over the line.