FALCONS BEAT PEEL TO IMPROVE TO 4-0

WEST Perth made it four from four to start the 2013 WAFL season with its most comprehensive performance to date on Saturday at Arena Joondalup beating Peel Thunder by 58 points.

Even though the Falcons did beat East Perth in Round 1 by 75 points, much of that damage was done in the second but on Saturday against the Thunder, West Perth was in control from the outset before running out 17.13 (115) to 8.9 (57) winners.

The Falcons have now beaten East Perth, Subiaco, South Fremantle and Peel Thunder to start the season with four straight wins leading into next Saturday's clash with the also unbeaten Claremont at Claremont Oval.

West Perth kicked four goals to two in the first quarter to be 11 points up at quarter-time but Peel was hanging in there with the Falcons just up by 13 at the main change.

However, the home side blew the game open in the third quarter with five of the only six goals that were kicked. That saw West Perth leading by 37 points at the last change and then 58 by the final siren with another five goals to two in the last quarter.

In just his fourth game for the club, Carlton recruit Rohan Kerr was the star of the day for the Falcons booting six goals from 15 possessions. Nick Rodda also booted three from just four kicks with Matt Fowler also making the most of his chances nailing three goals from seven kicks and five marks.

Marc Crisp also booted two goals for West Perth from 22 possessions and eight marks.

West Perth's midfield also racked up plenty of the ball with veteran Matt Guadagnin finishing with 28 possessions, Mark Hutchings 27, Josh Mellington 23, Andrew Strijk 22, Aaron Black 21 and Jay van Berlo 21.

Once again the Falcons defence was superb led by Jordan Jones keeping his former Peel teammate Brad Holmes goalless.

The West Perth reserves also had a big win over Peel prevailing by 48 points in the end.

Drew Rohde kicked seven goals and Anton Saylor three while Trent Manzone finished with 23 possessions and two goals. Frank Stockley also had 13 touches, six marks, 23 hit outs and two goals.

Joe Morrow and Kris Shannon picked up 18 possessions apiece.

The Falcons colts also recorded a thrilling three-point victory over Peel under lights at Arena Joondalup following the league game.

Tom Shadbolt, Tim Sutherland and William Michell kicked two goals each with Blake Acres picking up 27 possessions and Shadbolt 21.

WEST PERTH                                                      4.3          7.6          12.9        17.13     (115)

PEEL THUNDER                                                 2.4          5.5          6.8          8.9          (57)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Kerr 6; Fowler, Rodda 3; Crisp 2; Guadagnin, van Berlo, Mellington.

Best: Kerr, Guadagnin, Jones, Nelson, Crisp, Mellington, Strijk.

PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Thornton 3; Wilkins 2; Travers, Crozier, Orzel.

Best: Bower, Hawksley, Garlett, Motlop, Faulks, Jones.

BY CHRIS PIKE