FALCONS RETAIN POLLY FARMER SHIELD WITH STYLE

By Darrell Kent

The Falcons had a day out against East Perth on Saturday. All three grades had a win to retain their top of the table positions and Darren Harris coached his hundredth West Perth game. The positive vibe around the Club is a credit to “Harro” and all involved at the Falcons. A dominant seventy-point win by the League capped a really good day.

It was an even first quarter with both teams having opportunities to score but behinds were the order of the day, early. The opening goal was the first of four to Keegan Knott. He finished from the square after some good work by Rudy Riddoch and Anton Hamp. The Royals reply came quickly and evened things up, but the teams scored behinds until the twenty-six-minute mark. Anton Hamp finished from twenty after a free and Aidan Lynch scored after receiving fifty. He had a really good game and was on the end of a bit of niggle from his former teammates. At the first change West Perth had the lead and they didn’t relinquish it for the rest of the game. The visitors led by eleven; 3.3 (21) to 1.4 (10).

West Perth started the quarter in fine style but could only register four behinds. At the nine-minute mark Kyle Hamersley kicked the first of his two for the Royals to reduce the margin to nine. Another behind to West Perth followed before East Perth scored again. The lead was now only four. Aaron Black helped to get the ball rolling for the Falcons when he passed to Mitch Dobson after intercepting a kick out of defence. Dobson slotted the first of his four and it would be fair to say that the former Royal really enjoyed it. The lead was out to sixteen after a finish from close in by Sasha Kernutt. Late in the term Mitch Dobson scored his second after a great fend off by Sam Rotham and a handball by Tyler Keitel. Sam Rotham had a terrific day in the back line and was amongst West Perth’s best. At the main break West Perth led by twenty-one; 6.8 (44) to 3.5 (23).

The Falcons started to control the game after half time. A strong third quarter set up the win. Anton Hamp kicked his second in the first minute. East Perth replied and the half time margin was back in place but from here it was all West Perth. Midway through the quarter Tyler Keitel took possession near the middle of the ground had a bounce and nailed it from fifty. He ended up with three and had a massive influence around the ground. Shortly after Keegan Knott scored his second after taking the ball off hands. Late in the quarter Tyler kicked his second, once again on the run from fifty. At the final change West Perth looked home, leading by forty: 10.10 (70) to 4.6 (30).

But the best was yet to come. Keegan Knott kicked his third within two minutes and then the co-skipper Aaron Black got into the action. He marked and finished from thirty. A third and fourth to Mitch Dobson followed and by the ten-minute mark the lead was out to sixty-five. East Perth got one back before Tyler Keitel and Keegan Knott hit the scoreboard again. The lead was now seventy-one. The Royals had the next two scores, but the final Falcon major was Aaron Black’s second. This cemented the seventy-point win: 17.12 (114) to 6.8 (44). Strong last quarters continue to be a feature of the Falcons’ game.

Noah Pegoraro and Ben Johnson were out injured, and Mark Hutchings returned in the Reserves so the battle for places in the League team is certainly going to heat up from here. Mitch Dobson and Keegan Knott finished with four, Tyler Keitel three, Aaron Black and Anton Hamp two apiece. Best players included Aaron Black, Sam Rotham, Tyler Keitel, Mitch Dobson, Keegan Knott and Aidan Lynch.

The Reserves had an eight-goal lead at half time but weren’t as dominant in the second half. East Perth fought their way back into it, but the Falcons held on for a twenty-point win; 11.10 (76) to 8.8 (56). The coach, Blake Arnold, gave the team a bit of a blast at three quarter time and it helped settle the team. Logan Foley kicked four, Mitch Antonio and Corey Rundle two each. Players to stand out included Kellen Johnson, Trent Manzone, Corey Rundle, Alec Johnson and Logan Foley. The win sees them a game clear on top of the ladder.

The Colts are also sitting on top, equal with Peel but with a game in hand. They won by thirty-five; 14.14 (98) to 10.3 (63). They loom as a serious premiership contender and could win West Perth their first Colts flag since 1990. Codan Daddow kicked four, Jasper Scaife three, Jack Demarte and Saverio Marafioti two each. Best players were Kane Bevan, Riley Sprigg, Griffith Julian, Codan Daddow and Jasper Scaife. Another big set of fixtures next week against Swans at Basso. Be there to get the boys over the line.