Round 5 Rogers Cup Wrap Up

This week was a trip to Shark Park to take on second place East Fremantle, both sides were missing
some key personnel who were on State Trials Duty (funny enough being played at Falcons Home
Ground, Provident Financial Oval later in the day)

The match started in great style with good pressure footy, but it was East Fremantle who had a bit of
a wind advantage that were able to keep the attack in the forward half. The Falcons backline were
up to the task though with third and fourth efforts leading to some great tackles. Zara Deschamps
coming off BOG last week was again prominent early, Harriet Jones and Maddi Taylor both settling
into a roles across the half back have a good reading of the play and can then use pace and
manoeuvrability to be able to repel the oppositions attacks. It was East Fremantle’s ability to be in
front at the contests early and capitalise on the loose ball that ultimately gave them the early
advantage on the scoreboard. East Fremantle2.1 (13) to West Perth 0.0 (0)

With the break came a reset for the Falcons and an opportunity to bridge the gap, and while the
disciplines were there with regards to contested footy, composure coming out of the backline and
creating the loose players, the Sharks were not going away and were able to create goal
opportunities of their own. Holly Morris who spent the day in the forward line proved her strength
and tackle pressure were an advantage, marking and kicking truly for her first and then running on
to a loose ball to kick her second for the quarter. East Fremantle were still able to keep the lead on
the scoreboard at halftime 5.1 (31) to West Perth 2.1 (13).

The third quarter could see that the Falcons were certainly working harder from the midfield, Sharni
Jaschinsky and Hayley Bidefeld were adding real strength inside the contest and plenty of run on the
outside, while their fortunes were quite different, Sharni’s day ended early after a heavy bump left
her with a fractured collarbone, while Hayley’s efforts earned her the best Falcon on e day. While
West Perth were playing well thy just couldn’t get a score on the board to eat into the Sharks 4 goal
lead.

A bit of a wind advantage a great attitude amongst the group at the break, they were all primed for a
big last quarter and it converted on field as well, the attack and run from all players was evident and
the ball rarely left the forward half. Chloe Sharing popped up and kicked 2 goals for the quarter, the
play of the day without a doubt though, when Zara Deschamps switched play along the last line of
defence to Molly Conroy, who kicked long to centre wing where Holly Morris ran onto the loose ball,
quick hands to Chloe Smoker who drove to the 50 mtr line where Hayley Davis marked, her switch to
the centre of the 50 found Chelsea Wainwright who handballed to Chloe Shearing who weaved
around the Shark defender to score an early goal in the last. Had Holly converted from a couple of
unfortunate missed possessions, Molly Bunce and Elli van den Broeke in their debut games kick truly
then the final result of an 11 point defeat may have been different, East Fremantle 6.4 (40) to West
Perth 4.5 (29). Plenty at the game came away very encouraged by the game, feeling upbeat as if it
was a win, so returning back home against Subiaco the team will certainly be ready.