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West Perth loss spoils Black celebrations

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 - 9:06 PM
West Perth loss spoils Black celebrations
John Townsend
 
Former team-mates, former assistant coaches and a host of admirers underlining the football world’s widespread respect for Aaron Black were on hand to celebrate the West Perth champion’s 250th appearance on Sunday.
It was not enough.
In a trend that has been evident for much of this year’s premiership defence, expectations exceeded expertise and Black’s celebrations were spoiled as the Falcons succumbed to a more desperate, disciplined and pacy Swan Districts outfit.
The 15-point loss at Pentanet Stadium, 11.6 (72) to 8.9 (57), has made the task of reaching finals exceptionally difficult with six more wins likely to be required from West Perth’s seven remaining home and away matches.
Four of those games are against teams in the top five though this week’s bye gives the West Perth’s board, management and coaching department the opportunity to examine what has gone wrong this year and set up their operations for the rest of the season and beyond.
Black could hardly have done more to lead his team-mates by example as he maintained the commitment to the contest that has been the hallmark of his 14-year career.
Black’s great mate and dual premiership team-mate Shane Nelson was the only Falcon to exceed his 16 kicks, no one had more than his eight marks, and no one exceeded the two majors he landed in the third term when West Perth resisted the stiff breeze to keep the game alive.
But there were too few players who followed Black’s example, even with the milestone and the lure of finals providing plentiful motivation for the team and individuals.
Coach Darren Harris has been searching for the formula that has been missing in the past month, urging his players to “stay the course”, “be patient” and “make it your moment” during his address at three quarter-time.
But words count for little if the players fail to respond to the call.
Down just 10 points at the last change, with the strong wind favouring the northern end and Black’s second goal just before the siren providing some momentum, West Perth were barely able to force the ball into their forward 50 let alone mount a charge.
The same concerning traits that have been evident over the past month were on display again.
Swans produced the first five scores of the match and while Conal Lynch pegged one back before the first break, the margin stretched to 27 points early in the second term.
This followed first-half deficits of 35, 36 and 46 points in the previous three matches in a clear sign of the absence of the ferocious resolve and steely self-belief that marked the 2022 premiership campaign.
Yet it was notable that the eventual margin of 15 points was identical to the lead forged by Swans before Lynch got West Perth on the board, though there is little consolation knowing that the teams were equal over the final 100 minutes of the game.
The Falcons had plenty of chances in the second quarter but single strikes from Mitch Peirce, Nathan Alexandre and Tyler Keitel were insufficient reward for the time in attack.
The second half morphed into an arm wrestle with neither team able to break the deadlock.
Nelson (33 disposals) provided a typically honest effort, Zac Guadagnin (21 and five marks) worked hard deep in defence to stymie the opposition and Nathan Murray (27 and five tackles) replicated his excellent comeback match against Swans two months ago.
But West Perth could not counter Swans’ pace throughout the match, and when the result was on the line in the final stages, could not find a method to challenge the eventual winners.
Black deserved better after a career of 1000 quarters in which he has never failed to invest his utmost in the team cause.
 
West Perth 1.0 4.6 7.7 8.9 57
Swan Districts 4.3 6.3 9.5 11.6 72
Goals - West Perth: Black 2; Knott, Keitel, C Lynch, Alexandre, Moulton, Peirce.
Swan Districts: Noble 3; Edwards, Blakely 2; Chipper, Clarke, Ehlers, Ottaviano.
Best - West Perth: Black, Nelson, Guadagnin, Murray.
Swan Districts: Pina, Clarke, Ireland, Noble, Watson, Blakely, Turner.
 

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