Triple Treat

TRIPLE TREAT

By Darrell Kent

For the second week in a row West Perth recorded victory in all three grades. It was made even sweeter, this time, by the fact that it was against Subiaco at Leederville. Something that doesn’t happen very often. All three teams had to fight hard for the win and Darren Harris, all of the coaches and those involved at the Falcons, must be delighted with what the Club has served up so far this season. It is early days, but the rest of the season promises plenty. It was also great to see Alec Johnson play his first League game after strong form in the Reserves.

Subi scored the first within in a minute thanks to a free kick to first gamer, Jaimon Alone. The ball bounced between the half back lines before Sasha Kernutt took possession and finished from forty. He is a player with a lot to offer. The teams traded goals with Tristan Hobley giving the Falcons a one-point lead midway through the term. It had been a tight contest up until then, but West Perth finished strongly kicking the last three goals of the quarter. Tyler Keitel started the run when he used his body to take possession and score from forty, a Sasha Kernutt handball enabled Keegan Knott to continue his hot run and score from the square and a series of handballs resulted in a Sam Rotham major from close in. Sam Rotham is having a real impact up forward and on the ball. At the first change, West Perth had a handy seventeen-point lead: 5.1 (31) to 2.2 (14).

The second quarter saw the Falcons hot run continue. They scored three unanswered goals to extend the lead to thirty-five. A sharp handball from Anton Hamp saw Sam Rotham kick his second, a passage of play from deep in defence was finished with a second to Keegan Knott and some hard running from the wing by Shane Nelson resulted in a major from close in. The Lions hit back with consecutive goals before West Perth steadied to do the same. Keegan Knott kicked his third, the Falcons then took the ball out of the middle and Anton Hamp finished from forty-five after marking. He is improving with each run in Falcon colours. Subiaco scored another, but at the main break West Perth had extended their lead to thirty: 10.3 (63) to 5.3 (33). It was a strong half of footy by the visitors.

It only took the Falcons a minute to hit the scoreboard when play recommenced. Some clever work by Sasha Kernutt resulted in a second to Tyler Keitel from the square. Subiaco had the next three scoring shots to reduce the margin to twenty-eight before a very strong grab by Tyler Keitel saw him go back and snare his third. The lead was out to forty after another Falcon major to Keegan Knott before the Lions once more reduced the margin. The last score of the term went to West Perth and it was a fourth to Keegan Knott who took the ball off hands after a long kick forward. The margin was thirty-nine going into the last term: 14.3 (87) to 7.6 (42). Up until this point the Falcons had increased their advantage each quarter.

Subiaco kicked two behinds to start before Luke Meadows scored after some good forward line pressure. He had a real impact and is only going to get better as the season progresses. The forty-three-point margin was reduced to twenty-five after three goals to the home team but West Perth had the last say thanks to a Mitch Dobson goal. The ball was scrambled forward by Sasha Kernutt and he finished from twenty after marking. At the final siren West Perth had recorded their first victory against Subiaco at Leederville since 2016: 16.4 (100) to 10.9 (69). A win that was full of merit.

The most pleasing aspect of the West Perth games this year has been the way that all players, who come into the side, more than hold their own. The depth of the Falcon list is going to be very important going forward. Best players were Luke Meadows, Keegan Knott, Tyler Keitel, Trent Manzone, Mark Hamilton and Conal Lynch. Keegan Knott finished with four, Tyler Keitel three and Sam Rotham two.

The Reserves, who played after the League, did a great job to record a win. They trailed by four goals to one early but fought back to record a 13.6 (84) to 9.8 (62) victory. A number of players are pushing for a League game with Noah Pegoraro and Rudy Riddoch being two of them. Best players were Zac Fleiner, Tom O’Donnell, Rudy Riddoch, Ben Delaporte and Ryan Hudson. Rudy finished with four, Logan Foley three and Nathan Murray and Darcy Dixon two apiece.

The Colts remain the only undefeated team in their competition after their third consecutive win. They sit top of the table after their success. It was an impressive win by a team that is co-ordinating really well. Best players were Mitch Lonnie, Noah Farrow, Blake Garraway, Griffith Julian and Harry Cabalzar. Mitch Lonnie kicked three, Jack Demarte and Noah Farrow two each. Another tough contest against South Fremantle, at home, next Saturday. See you at the footy.