FALCONS STORM BACK TO WIN THRILLER BY A POINT

WEST Perth pulled off a remarkable comeback to end up beating Subiaco by a point in a heart stopper at Arena Joondalup on Saturday after the Falcons failed to score for the first 24 minutes of the contest.

Subiaco came flying out of the blocks with the first 10 scoring shots of the game to lead 5.6 (36) to nothing until the Falcons eventually scored with Josh Mellington kicking a point and goal within seconds of one another.

However, Subiaco still led by 30 points by half-time and again by 24 just before three quarter-time, but a late goal to the returning Kody Manning just before the last break gave the Falcons a sniff still.

That sniff turned into a lot more when Nick Rodda, Shane Nelson and Mellington kicked crucial goals in the last quarter.

Nelson's on the run from outside 50 was particularly impressive to put the Falcons within a point and then the home side hit the front for the first time of the afternoon thanks to a couple of behinds before Mellington kicked a beauty from long range and out wide to stretch the lead to seven points.

Subiaco hit back with a goal to big man Callum Sinclair, but West Perth held on in a frantic finish to win 13.13 (91) to 13.12 (90) and maintain second position on the WAFL ladder.

West Perth wingman Aaron Black was terrific finishing with 31 possessions, 10 marks, four tackles, three clearances, five inside-50 entries and three rebounds from the defensive 50.

Veteran Matt Guadagnin also had 26 disposals and a game-high nine clearances with Shane Nelson shaking the tag of Rhys Waters to gather 23 touches and Mark Hutchings had 21 to go with a goal despite sitting out the entire opening quarter.

Dan Hunt was outstanding in defence keeping state player Clancy Wheeler to just nine touches and a goal, and had 19 disposals, six marks and a six tackles himself.

Andrew Strijk ran off half-back with 22 possessions, eight marks, six rebounds from the defensive 50, four inside 50s and a terrific goal to start the second quarter.

Steven Browne also had 20 disposals from the defence for the Falcons while up forward, Mellington kicked three goals, and Matt Fowler and Brayden Antonio two apiece.

In direct contrast to last week's horror start against Swan Districts, the Lions were quick out of the blocks on Saturday and it started when experienced SANFL recruit Tristan Gum snapped a goal with his first kick in the WAFL.

He injured a knee in his first practice game since signing with the Lions and made an immediate impact in the opening minute. Andrew McDougall added another a minute later and the Lions continued on with the advantage of the breeze.

In the opening 20 minutes alone, Subiaco had 15 inside-50 entries to three and 10 scoring shots to lead 5.6 to 0.0 before West Perth even scored at the 24-minute mark.

West Perth evened things up, but couldn’t take enough advantage of the breeze in the second quarter kicking 4.6 while Subiaco still kicked five goals to be up by 30 points at the main break.

The Falcons again threatened in the third quarter with two goals to Fowler in as many minutes to bring them within 12 points, but Subiaco steadied with late goals to Jarrod Kayler-Thomson and Antoni Grover.

West Perth got a late goal through a strong mark and kick from the returning Manning just before three quarter-time, and then the Falcons kicked the first three goals of the last term to hit the front for the first time, and eventually hold on to win by a point.

WEST PERTH 1.1 5.7 9.9 13.13 (91)

SUBIACO 5.6 10.7 12.9 13.12 (90)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Mellington 3; Antonio, Fowler 2; Hutchings, Manning, Nelson, Rodda, Strijk, van Berlo.

Best: Black, Hunt, Guadagnin, Hutchings, Nelson, Strijk, Mellington. 

SUBIACO – Goals: Daniels, Grover, McDougall 2; Deluca, Gum, Hampson, Kayler-Thomson, Nicoski, Sinclair, Wheeler.

Best: McDougall, Hampson, Kayler-Thomson, Stevenson, Forrest, Worthington.

BY CHRIS PIKE