FALCONS HIT BACK IN SHOOT OUT AT SHARK PARK

WEST Perth has returned to the winner's list in impressive fashion ahead of a double bye with a terrific 23-point win over East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval in a game that saw 45 goals kicked.

West Perth was coming off losing its first two games of the season the last two weeks to Claremont and Swan Districts, and then conceded the first three goals of the game against East Fremantle on Saturday in a far from ideal start.

However, the Falcons hit back quickly and had closed the gap to just seven points by quarter-time with the goal-scoring spree in full swing at Shark Park.

West Perth then had the better of the majority of the second quarter kicking six of the first nine goals to hold a two-goal plus advantage, but the quarter went well in excess of 35 minutes and the Sharks got two goals late to restrict the Falcons' lead to just a point at half-time.

The Falcons were discouraged by the Sharks getting those late second half goals, though, and in fact went up another notch after half-time booting eight goals to four in a terrific and attacking third quarter.

That saw West Perth turn for home with a 29-point advantage and even though East Fremantle kicked six final term goals to five from the Falcons, West Perth had done enough to record the impressive 24.8 (152) to 21.3 (129) victory and improve to a 5-2 record.

The win was the ideal way for West Perth to enter a double bye with the State game next week and then the bye in Round 9 before the next clash on Saturday May 25 against Perth at Arena Joondalup.

The 24.8 (152) score was West Perth's second highest score ever at East Fremantle Oval and the win likely could have been by a greater margin had it not been for East Fremantle kicking 21.3. It was the Sharks' most accurate ever kicking at goal in the club's history.

Anthony Tsalikis was outstanding up forward for West Perth booting five goals from 19 possessions and 14 marks. It's the first time that the five-time leading goalkicker has kicked five goals in a match since he did so in Round 13, 2011 in a loss to Peel Thunder.

Tsalikis was far from the only Falcon to shine in front of goal, though, with Marc Crisp continuing his breakout season with four goals while Matt Johnson kicked three, Rohan Kerr three, Nick Rodda two and Josh Mellington two.

Kerr was outstanding finishing with 29 possessions, six marks and five inside-50 entries as he continued to make a strong case to represent WA against Victoria next Saturday in Northam.

West Perth's midfield also worked its way on top of East Fremantle's talented and experienced on-ball brigade. Ruckman Chris Keunen was a massive reason for that finishing with 15 possessions, five marks and 42 hit outs up against two young and athletic opponents.

Mark Hutchings continued his outstanding form for the Falcons finishing with 33 possessions while Aaron Black also picked up 32 disposals while taking 14 marks as he found endless amounts of space on the wide expanses of East Fremantle Oval.

Steven Browne also gathered 30 disposals, took 10 marks and kicked a goal while Shane Nelson compiled 23 possessions, Jay van Berlo 22, Ray Bartholomew 22, Jordan Jones 20 and veteran Matt Guadagnin 20.

Meanwhile earlier in the day, the reserves went down to East Fremantle by 31 points despite four goals from Matt Fowler and three from Mitch McPhee. Frank Stockley had a big game with 40 hit outs while Jack Thrum was impressive with 34 possessions.

Brayden Antonio also picked up 25 disposals, Shaun Marusic 23 and Swan Districts recruit Steve Potente had 11 in his first appearance for West Perth after an injury-interrupted start to the season.

Things didn’t quite go to plan for the colts with East Fremantle winning by 70 points. Blake Acres was a tireless worker for the Falcons finishing with 27 possessions and a goal while Luke Meadows had 22 touches, Jesse Kirwen 23 and William Michell 21 and the Falcons' other goal for the game.

WEST PERTH 5.1 11.3 19.7 24.8 (152)

EAST FREMANTLE 6.2 11.2 15.2 21.3 (129)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Tsalikis 5; Crisp 4; Kerr, Johnson 3; Rodda, Mellington 2; Strijk, Browne, Hutchings, van Berlo, Bartholomew.

Best: Hutchings, Tsalikis, Kerr, Black, Browne, Keunen.

EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: Dick 8; Lester-Smith, Boyle, Schofield 2; McGough, Tropiano, O'Brien, Henson, Peake, Dodd, Sheppard.

Best: Dick, McGough, O'Brien, Dodd, Stephen, Tropiano.

BY CHRIS PIKE