FALCONS WIN THRILLER OVER SWANS AT BASSENDEAN

WEST Perth beat Swan Districts by three points at Bassendean's Steel Blue Oval on Saturday to win its third straight match and further consolidate second spot on the ladder.

The Falcons kicked away from Swans thanks to four goals to one in the second quarter and then in a nail-biting finish, held on to win 11.16 (82) to 11.13 (79) and improve to a 9-4 record on the season and remain a game and percentage clear in second position on the WAFL ladder after 15 rounds.

Andrew Strijk was outstanding for West Perth with the 125-game veteran finishing with 25 possessions, 15 marks and three inside-50 entries. If it wasn’t for his four behinds he could have had a career-best afternoon, but it was still a tremendous performance from the 25-year-old.

Wingman Aaron Black was also terrific with 26 possessions, 11 marks and six entries inside the forward 50.

Matt Guadagnin gathered 22 disposals as well with Steven Browne picking up 21 touches, Steve Potente 21 in his best game with West Perth, Josh Mellington 21, Shane Nelson 20, Jordan Jones 20, Jay van Berlo 19, Rohan Kerr 18 and Marc Crisp 18 to go with seven marks, seven inside 50s and a goal.

Coach Bill Monaghan pulled a surprise and threw usual key defender Michael Pettigrew forward and the move paid off with him kicking three goals. Brayden Antonio and Kerr kicked two apiece as well.

Chris Keunen had 33 hit outs in the ruck.

Swan Districts came out of the blocks the better of the two sides but West Perth stayed in touch to only trail by 10 points at quarter-time thanks to goals to Anthony Tsalikis, Antonio and Kerr.

The Falcons then turned up the heat in the second quarter booting four goals to just one from Swans to be in front by eight points at the main break.

Both sides then kicked two goals apiece in the third term with West Perth still leading by nine points by three quarter-time.

The game then tightened up further in the final term but West Perth ended up holding on to win by the three points in a thrilling finish at Bassendean.

The West Perth reserves fell short against Swan Districts with the black-and-whites coming away 7.14 (56) to 6.9 (45) winners.

Joe Morrow and Mitch McPhee kicked two goals apiece for the Falcons with James Embley gathering 23 possessions, Michael Mascoulis 22, Corey Chalmers 21, Ben McNamara 20 and Cameron Branch 18.

Frank Stockley had another 19 possessions, five marks and 40 hit outs.

The Falcons colts started the day at Bassendean in perfect fashion running out comfortable 16.10 (106) to 3.6 (24) winners over Swan Districts.

Tom Shadbolt was outstanding for the Falcons with 30 possessions to go with five inside-50 entries and two goals. Tom Wells also kicked three majors and Joel Brown two.

Mitchell Peirce picked up 22 possessions, Nicholas Bowe 20 and Jesse Kirwen 20.

WEST PERTH 3.4 7.8 9.12 11.16 (82)

SWAN DISTRICTS 5.2 6.6 8.9 11.13 (79)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Pettigrew 3; Kerr, Antonio 2; Crisp, Tsalikis, Nelson, Mellington.

Best: Strijk, Black, Guadagnin, Potente, Pettigrew, Crisp, Jones.

SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Davis 3; Geappen, Neale 2; Robinson, Boekhorst, Newman, Bennell.

Best: Neale, Robinson, Davis, Riggio, Roach, Twomey.

BY CHRIS PIKE