FALCONS FINISH PRE-SEASON UNBEATEN

WEST Perth made it two from two this pre-season beating a full-strength Peel Thunder by nine points at Mandurah's Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

Coming off an impressive 56 point win over South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval in their first pre-season game, the Falcons were again impressive beating Peel 14.10 (94) to 13.7 (85) at Bendigo Bank Stadium following the Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs NAB Cup game.

The Falcons did fall 13 points down by half-time, but kicked six goals to two in the third quarter to set up the eventual nine-point win.

West Perth's attention now turns to the season proper that starts this Saturday at Arena Joondalup against East Perth.

Peel might have had 33 more disposals for the game than West Perth, but the Falcons were far more efficient having more inside-50 entries and 24 scoring shots to 20.

The differing game styles of the two sides was also clearly evident with West Perth having 241 kicks and just 112 handballs, while taking 126 marks and Peel's disposals consisting of 204 kicks, 182 handballs and just 92 marks.

Fremantle's Josh Mellington kicked four goals for West Perth from 13 possessions, eight marks and six tackles. Matthew Johnson also continued to put his hand up for Round 1 with another three goals with veteran Anthony Tsalikis adding two as well.

Shane Nelson had a breakout season for the Falcons in 2012 and it was somewhat of a surprise he wasn’t picked up by an AFL club, but that is West Perth's gain and he starred again on Saturday night finishing with 30 possessions, nine marks and a goal.

Steven Browne was also terrific with 28 possessions and 11 marks. Marc Crisp continued his emergence with 25 touches, Aaron Black 23, eight marks and five inside 50s, Jordan Jones 22, 15 marks and a goal and Ray Bartholomew 21, 10 marks and six tackles.

Recruits Rohan Kerr (20 possessions, six marks and four inside-50 entries), Trent Manzone (12 touches and a goal) and Shaun Marusic (11 disposals) also put in encouraging performances.

Former Port Adelaide defender Michael Pettigrew found some form as well gathering 15 possessions and taking eight marks with Frank Stockley doing well in the ruck with 11 touches, 10 hit outs and a goal.

Andrew Strijk, Matt Guadagnin, Matt Fowler, Steve Potente and Anton Saylor were among those that didn’t play against Peel down in Mandurah, but remain a chance to come in and play East Perth this Saturday in Round 1 at Arena Joondalup.

BY CHRIS PIKE