STRONG SECOND HALF SETS FALCONS UP FOR FINALS

STRONG SECOND HALF SETS FALCONS UP FOR FINALS

By Darrell Kent

West Perth dominated the second half against the Demons at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday to set themselves up for their Elimination Final clash with Swan Districts on Sunday. All three teams had a win and as a result will play in the first week of finals. It’s a credit to the entire football department, the coaches, players and volunteers that have secured finals in 2021.

Perth were more than competitive early and led for most of the first half. They kicked the first two majors of the game and led by twelve midway through the term. The first goal for the Falcons went to Sasha Kernutt who finished from thirty after receiving a free. It was the first of four for the day and continues his impressive form. The second came just before the siren after a Rudy Riddoch handball enabled Steve Potente to snap from twenty. At the end of a very dour quarter of footy the Falcons trailed by four; 3.3 (21) to 2.5 (17).

The scoring really opened up in the second with both teams hitting the scoreboard regularly. West Perth hit the lead after Keegan Knott scored from the square. A handball from debutant, Michael Mallard, to Tyson Moulton set up the next. Tyson’s fifty metre pass to Tyler Keitel highlighted his awesome kicking ability. Tyler scored the first of his two from thirty. The visitors now led by eight but Perth responded in fine fashion. They kicked the next four to take a sixteen-point advantage going into time on. The challenge was on for West Perth and they responded like a good team. Tom O’Donnell got the comeback into gear when he finished from fifty after being rewarded for a strong tackle. At this point no-one would have expected that this would be the start of an eleven goal run by the Falcons. A strong Michael Mallard midfield mark instigated the next major. Shane Nelson kicked the first of his brace from the square. When Sasha Kernutt bounced his second through just before the siren, West Perth grabbed the lead going into the main break. They led by three: 7.7 (49) to 7.4 (46).

West Perth dominated the game from the third quarter on. Perth only scored one behind for the term while the Falcons kicked four majors. The first five scoring shots were behinds with West Perth kicking four of them. Shane Nelson got the ball rolling with his second after marking in the square. Conal Lynch then passed to Mitch Antonio who finished accurately. A Sasha Kernutt handball enabled Conal Lynch to finish, on the run, from forty. Conal also kicked the next. Blake Wilhelm, who had a really good game across half back, set up the play. He got the ball into the hands of Sasha Kernutt who gave it to Conal Lynch at the top of the square. His major gave West Perth a thirty-point lead. Another Falcon behind followed and this saw them take a thirty-one-point advantage into the final change: 11.12 (78) to 7.5 (47).

The run continued in the final quarter with West Perth kicking four in quick time. Sasha Kernutt scored consecutive goals to take his tally to four for the game. Tyler Keitel then kicked his second as did the ever dangerous Keegan Knott. The lead was out to fifty-six in no time. Perth then scored their first since midway through the second quarter. They followed it with another before West Perth did the same. Rudy Riddoch kicked one before Mark Hamilton did the same. It was his first in five seasons and it was great to see the way that the players got around him to celebrate. The last goal of the game went to the home team. The final score of 17.13 (115) to 10.5 (65) was a true indication of the fine Falcon effort.

There were a number of best players but those to stand out included Aaron Black, Trent Manzone, Shane Nelson, Mark Hamilton, Sasha Kernutt and Blake Wilhelm. 

The Reserves scored a very hard fought victory 9.9 (63) to 8.11 (59) against the third placed Demons. They led by five goals at the main change but trailed by one at three quarter time. The game seesawed during the last quarter but the Falcons did best to win. It is a win that will put them in good stead for the finals. Tom Medhat kicked four and was amongst the best players. Others to come under notice included Nathan Murray, Nathan Alexandre, Jason Salecic and Callum Johnson.

The Colts were far too good for the winless Demons. They won by over a hundred points: 18.14 (122) to 3.2 (20). Saverio Marafioti and Zarne Robis scored three each, Luke Reilly, Darcy Dixon and Byron Sherwood kicked two. They were amongst the best along with Luke Michael, Lochlan Paton, Kane Bevan and Jack Demarte. 

Next week get along and support all three grades in the Elimination Final at Provident Financial Oval. The Colts will take on East Fremantle, the Reserves play Subiaco while the League plays Swan Districts