Round 1 Rogers Cup Wrap Up

Written by Dave Burton

Season 2022 opener at Fremantle oval on a 30 degree+ day wouldn’t have wanted any other way.
The footy was as hot as the day too, if you were to look on paper you could easily think it was a
replay of last years Grand Final, but with 16 out of 22 making their debut it was anything but that in
reality. The intensity of the game certainly was finals worthy and the skill level for a Round 1 game
was great from both sides, clean use of the footy, highly contested ground balls and played at a fast
pace for most of the day, and while South Fremantle prevailed in the end 3.9 (27) to West Perth 3.5
(23) the standard showed that these two sides will be around and about come the pointy end of the
season again.

South Fremantle were the more settled side in the first quarter which certainly tested the West
Perth backline early and for most of the quarter, but the tenacity of the backs prevented the
Bulldogs from really using that advantage and still kept them goalless for the quarter. The
experience of Claire Norbury and Holly Morris were able to remain calm under the pressure, which
allowed Keeley Oakes, Leuca Krmpotic, Zara Deschamps and Maddie Taylor to display their flair and
speed to repel the constant forays forward by South Fremantle, Maddie Taylor turned in a Best on
Ground performance for her debut, which was highlighted by her confidence to back herself in the
run hard through packs to kick well down the lines to setup the Falcon attacks. South Fremantle 0.6
(6) to West Perth 0.0 (0).

With the short break came a chance to settle the nerves and reset, which worked to great effect the
midfield, which had regained Bella Hill who had spent a lot of the first quarter on the bench after a
heavy tackle, gave the running squadron of Samara Sallie, Chloe Smoker Mia Russo and Sharni
Jaschinski first use and allowed them to drive forward and setup scoring opportunities and the
reward did eventually come when Molly Conroy marked strongly in a pack went back and kicked
truly. The defence continued to build a wall across half backand showed with their ability to link up
with Sophie Fisher, Ella Feist and Abbey Brimson how quickly the ball will transition from back to
forward. West Perth went into the long break 1.3 (9) to South Fremantle 0.6 (6).

The third quarter had the Falcons picking up where they left off, Samara Sallie and Mia Russo were
proving a handful and were either breaking through packs or weaving around them both racking up
plenty of possessions between them and Chelsea Wainwright as second ruck showed great mobilty
around the ground to be an extra midfielder. The quartet of forwards Mischa Jezierski, Kyra Abbott,
Jamarah Walley and Taylah O’Neill were working up the ground and combining well with the
midfield, Taylah kicking the Falcons second goal and her first in Rogers Cup. Amber Rundle played
the role of swing player who started forward, but then dropped back in defence and really helped
repel the Bulldog attacks, allowing West Perth to hold the lead going into the last change West Perth
2.5 (17) to South Fremantle 0.8 (8)

The last quarter saw South Fremantle throw everything at the Falcons and while Holly Morris was
able to hold some crucial marks deep in defence, a momentary lapse resulting in a 50metre and
goal, another from general play put the Bulldogs in front. The Falcons were not going away that easy
though and a fast play from deep defence along the wing through some very solid running and
marking which culminated in Hayley Bidefeld running into an open goal returning West Perth back
the lead, but South Fremantle were determined to take the four points and again managed the final
and winning goal.

The Falcons will take plenty of learnings from this game and setup ready for the ol’ foe East Perth at
home next week.