A HARD FOUGHT VICTORY

The Falcons persevered throughout the match in the game against Subiaco at Medibank Stadium on Friday night.

Even when things weren’t going as expected the players stuck to the game plan and showed a high degree of discipline. The hard running and attack on the football was again a feature of the night and it was this plus a high level of fitness that saw them run out twenty four point victors.

West Perth were out of the blocks in a hurry and continued their fine form from last weeks match. Kody Manning had a busy start to the game and had the first two majors by the six minute mark. Matt Fowler then received a free forty out and his accurate kick resulted in the Falcons leading by nineteen after twelve minutes. Ryan Herring kicked the first for Subiaco midway through the term. This was to be his only goal for the game as Dan Hunt did another terrific job at shutting the opposition’s key forward. Behinds were the order of the day until Jason Salecic passed to busy forward Anthony Tsalikis who kicked accurately to take the lead back out to seventeen. The next Falcon goal came in the blink of an eye when they took the ball out of the middle and the classy Josh Mellington finished from forty. The Lions replied shortly after courtesy of a free kick twenty out but the Falcons finished the term on a high when Shane Nelson tumbled one through from fifty. After a dominant term West Perth led by twenty three; 6.1 (37) to 2.2 (14). The margin should have been greater.

West Perth received little reward for effort in the second quarter. They had as much of the footy as Subiaco but were able to add only three behinds. It would be fair to say that they weren’t as clean going forward as coach, Bill Monaghan, would have liked. The contest really tightened up and the Lions kicked three majors. Two of these came with in a minute early in the quarter when Callum Sinclair marked close to goal. At the main change the Falcons still led; 6.4 (40) to 5.3 (33).

The third quarter was more on the same but the Falcons managed to add to their goal tally at the two minute mark. The skipper, Jason Salecic, marked twenty out and finished accurately. This was to be West Perth’s only goal for the second and third quarters but they also added eight behinds for the same period. By the fifteen minute mark Subiaco had closed to one point but West Perth’s efforts continued not to be rewarded as they kicked four behinds in the last part of the term to lead by five at the final change; 7.9 (51) to 7.4 (46).

The Tech School end had been the scoring end of the ground all night so the challenge really loomed for the Falcons in the last quarter. After three minutes the Lions led for the first time in the game courtesy of a Rhett Kerr major from forty but from this point West Perth dominated the game. This was a credit to their fitness levels as they were clearly the fitter side. A clever second goal to Josh Mellington restored the lead after five minutes. The next thirteen were a real arm wrestle during which time the Falcons extended their lead by only a behind. They then kicked three quick goals to seal the game. The first was a long major to Matt Fowler who was on the end of a Shane Nelson pass. ”Slick” then kicked his second after marking on an angle thirty out and Matt Guadagnin then took control of the ball at centre half forward to ensure a Falcon victory. It was a very good quarter of football and West Perth thoroughly deserved their 11.12 (78) to 8.6 (54) victory.

There were a number of good players for the Falcons. These included Laine Rasmussen who kept his opponent possessionless, Dan Hunt who is really setting the standard for the backline, midfielders Rohan Kerr (who was probably the Falcons best) and Shane Nelson. Anthony Tsalikis worked hard up forward all night and was supported by Matt Fowler who kicked two important goals.

The whole team contributed to the victory. We have a bye next week and then another Friday night game against South Fremantle on the 5^th of April. Be there to help the Falcons continue their fine start to the year.

BY DARRELL KENT

PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY