Rogers Cup Round 5

This week all the Rogers Cup teams headed to Revo Stadium in Claremont for a Good Friday Festival of Womens Football. Our top of the table Falcons were taking on Rogers Cup newcomers Perth Football Club, who have yet to open their 2023 account.

The game certainly didn’t start like two teams on opposite ends of the ladder, Perth knew they had to bring intensity and pressure, which they did and it unsettled West Perth early, who look tentative and a little nervous.

After a little while though the Falcons regained their composure and started to play the open, fast running football that has been the trademark this year and as the game wore on the more and more the game was played on West Perth’s terms to the point where the second half was dominated in possession and ground position and the final scoreboard reflected that with West Perth running out 80 point winners 12.10 (82) to 0.2 (2) to remain on top after 5 rounds.

The first quarter started with a Perth dialling up the pressure and advancing forward with a couple of early entries, but only able to score the one point. Ella Feist was up and about early and was helping stem any real Perth attacks with multiple intercepts across half back and midfield.

About half-way through the quarter West Perth had arrested the momentum and hit the scoreboard when Hayley Bidefeld (acting Captain) ran on to a loose ball deep in attack to score the opening goal of the match. Kiahn Perry added another soon after kicking an opportunistic goal from off the ground in the goal square.

The play of the quarter came from Ella Feist winning the centre clearance, kicking to Hayley Bidefeld who found Tayla Anthony just outside 50, who kicked over top for Chloe Shearing to run in and goal.

Jekylah Garlett, Chloe Smoker and Keeley Oakes were very strong in the opening quarter rebounding any attempts from Perth to get deep inside their 50 and holding them to just 2 points.

The second quarter opened with a rise in tackle pressure, West Perth looked far more settled. Kiahn Perry set the example with her strong tackling, in fact her strength and run troubled Perth all day. Emily McGinn playing in her debut game started to get possessions across half back and was ably supported by first year player Bree Porritt, who was again showing her trademark strength and confidence in the contested situations.

10 minutes in it was again Hayley Bidefeld scoring her second goal to start the scoring run. West Perth were winning the clearances through the services of Kaitlyn Roper and Tayla Anthony. Molly Conroy added the Falcons fifth goal running on to a loose ball, kicking inside out and watching it curve around for a long goal.

Chloe Shearing took advantage of another centre clearance and goaled, West Perth entered the main break 39 points ahead.

It was a much better quarter for West Perth who owned territory for pretty much the whole quarter only allowing Perth one inside 50, which quickly got repelled.

Perth came out of the break determined to establish themselves in the game and won the first clearance, but the strength of the backline with Paige Dodunski and Jekylah Garlett supported by Chloe Smoker constantly started the Falcons attack from the defensive end.

Hayley Bidefeld who was one of West Perth’s best players set up another goal driving to Chloe Shearing who then went one two with Jazlyn Lihou to kick her third.

Keeley Oakes strong attack across half back passed the ball to Kailyn Roper who broke away to find Chloe Shearing at half forward, who then short passed to Molly Conroy allowing Hayley Bidefeld to run and kick her third for the day.

Chloe Shearing who owned the 50-metre forward zone kicked her fourth after receiving an Ella Feist intercept.

Perth's first real drive into the 50 came in last minute of the quarter and with ball in hand in the goal square looked like kicking a goal only to be denied by Paige Dodunski who cleared as the siren sounded.

The longer the game went on the more West Perth opened Perth up with fast ball movement, pushing wide then coming back through the corridor forward of centre.

After a couple of early West Perth entries, Tayla Anthony won a contested ball just on the 50-metre arc to Chanel Scott who goaled from 35 metres out.

Chloe Smoker helped setup the final goal of the game when she took an out on the full free kick from the back pocket and with the aid of a 50-metre penalty and no one on the mark took a kick from the middle of the ground and delivering inside the forward 50. Hayley Bidefeld then capped off a great day finding Sophie Fisher 35m directly in front, who kicked truly. The only downside of the day was Tiarne Farmer leaving the game with a late ankle injury.