FALCONS FAIL TO TAKE OPPORTUNITIES

By Darrell Kent

West Perth paid the price for inaccurate kicking when they were beaten by Swans at Bassendean Oval. The twelve-point loss still sees them sit top of the ladder, but depending on other results from the last set of fixtures, could drop to as low as fourth if they don’t defeat Subiaco next week. This is a worst-case scenario. Swans were desperate for a win to keep their finals hopes alive and succeeded. The Reserves held on for a one-point victory and the Colts dominated to win easily. These victories should ensure that they finish the home and away season on top of the ladder.

The wet and windy conditions suggested that it would be a low scoring game and that proved to be the case. West Perth won the toss and kicked to the scoring end. It was a tight first quarter. Keegan Knott got the ball rolling by kicking the first in two minutes. He finished with three for the game and was clearly the Falcons best forward. He received a free twenty out. Brayden Noble got one back shortly after, but the next major didn’t come until the twenty-one-minute mark. It was a terrific goal by Tristan Hobley who finished on the run from outside fifty. West Perth clearly had the better of the quarter but only led by nine at the first change; 2.3 (15) to 1.0 (6).

The Falcons extended their lead early in the second. They scored a behind before Mitch Dobson intercepted a kick out of defence, tapped the ball on and ran into an open goal. The lead was now sixteen but that was to be the last West Perth goal for the quarter. Swans kicked the next three and the Falcons four behinds. As a result, scores were all tied up at half time; 3.8 (26) to 4.2 (26). Some missed opportunities late in the quarter would come back to haunt West Perth. The loss of key defender, Mark Hamilton, to a hamstring injury was also a factor.

The Falcons once again had the better of the third term but failed to take full advantage of their opportunities. A Ben Delaporte kick forward was taken off hands by Keegan Knott who scored his second. Behinds were scored before Keegan Knott kicked his third after a long pass by Shane Nelson. This was at the eighteen-minute mark. The lead was out to fourteen after an Anton Hamp behind shortly after. The worst-case scenario for West Perth then occurred when the Swans scored one right on the siren. It was completely against the run of play. Mitchell Bain kicked a very clever goal. He was laying in his back in the square, put the ball on his boot and kicked it over his head. The lead at the final change was eight straight points: 5.11 (41) to 5.3 (33). There is no doubt that the lead should have been greater.

West Perth’s last quarters have been one of their strengths all season. In this instance it was not the case. Swans dominated to kick four goals to one and set up their win. The only Falcon goal for the quarter went to Aaron Black at the twenty-five-minute mark. He finished from thirty after receiving a free. The margin was just six at this stage, but Swans sealed it with another minutes later. At the final siren West Perth had lost by twelve; 9.5 (59) to 6.11 (47).

The loss means that the game against Subiaco next week is a must win to ensure a finish on top of the ladder. Keegan Knott was the only multiple goal scorer with three. He was amongst the best along with Zac Guadagnin, Mitch Peirce, Tyler Keitel and Mitch Dobson. Coaching staff will be sweating on the fitness of key defenders Mark Hamilton and Noah Pegoraro for the final home and away game of the season.

The Reserves led by seventeen at the half but just held on to record a one-point victory. It was an exciting finish to the game that saw an 8.9 (57) to 8.8 (56) score line. Swans were finishing the better, but the top of the table Falcons held their nerve to get over the line. Logan Foley and Sasha Kernutt kicked three each and they were amongst West Perth’s best. Other players to do well included Troy Yukich, Koopah Todd, Tom Boyes and Nathan Murray.

The top of the table Colts dominated to score by fifty-two; 11.12 (78) to 3.8 (26). They are continuing to play a fine brand of football and are in good form going into the finals. The match against another top three team in Subiaco, next week, will be worth watching. Saverio Marafioti continued his fine form by kicking four and Codan Daddow scored two. Best players were Riley Sprigg, Tyler Mouritz, Jesse Taylor, Saverio Marafioti and Blake Garraway. They don’t come any bigger than the game next week against Subi at Pentanet Stadium so be there to help get the teams over the line.