FALCONS SCORE COMFORTABLE WIN OVER THUNDER

WEST Perth further consolidated second position on the WAFL ladder with a comfortable and convincing 49-point win over Peel Thunder at Arena Joondalup on Saturday.

The Falcons improved to a 12-5 record on the season with Saturday's 17.12 (114) to 9.11 (65) victory to now remain three games clear of the chasing East Fremantle, Swan Districts, Perth and East Perth.

West Perth has just three games remaining this season against Perth, East Fremantle and Swan Districts as well so those matches will be tough with all those teams still in finals contention, but to miss finishing second now basically the Falcons will need to lose all three of those games.

That looks decidedly unlikely with West Perth in some good form. Despite a hiccup at home to South Fremantle, the Falcons have won two games since and six of their last seven matches overall.

The Falcons got off to a fast start against the struggling Thunder who had lost seven straight games coming into the contest.

West Perth booted six goals to two in the first quarter to be in control holding a lead of 23 points at quarter-time and that was out to 28 points by half-time with the Falcons kicking three goals to the Thunder's two in the second term.

It was an even third quarter coming out of the main break with both teams kicking three goals apiece before West Perth again asserted its dominance kicking five goals to just two from Peel in the final quarter to end up winning by 49 points.

Matt Fowler equalled his career-best haul of four goals in the league side when he booted four majors on Saturday for the Falcons from 15 possessions and eight marks.

Anthony Tsalikis also proved to be a strong forward target finishing with 20 possessions, eight marks and three goals while Josh Mellington also kicked three goals and captain Jason Salecic two from 17 disposals.

The West Perth midfield got on top of Peel's as well led by Shane Nelson who racked up 24 first half possessions before finishing the game with 32 to go with six tackles and a goal.

Aaron Black also racked up 28 possessions for the Falcons to go with five tackles and three inside-50 entries.

Andrew Strijk collected 26 disposals, Rohan Kerr 24, Steve Potente 23, Jordan Jones 20, Marc Crisp 20, Ray Bartholomew 18 and Matt Guadagnin 17.

The West Perth reserves scored another comfortable 58-point victory over Peel as well with Drew Rohde, Broderick Walton, Max Alexander and Cameron Branch all kicking two goals apiece.

Branch picked up 26 possessions to go with his two majors with Rohde also picking up 22 disposals and Walton 21.

Ben McNamara picked up 27 disposals for the Falcons with Sam Money finishing with 25 and Jack Thrum 21.

The Falcons colts also ensured that West Perth went three from three for the day against Peel with a 7.6 (48) to 5.8 (38) win despite kicking just the one goal in the first half.

Tom Shadbolt kicked four goals for West Perth from just seven kicks with Mitchell Antonio racking up 27 possessions, William Michell 22, Kyle Egan 22, Peter Harvey 21, Nelson Laurance 20, Jesse Kirwen 19 and Jordan Gray 18.

WEST PERTH 6.1 9.4 12.8 17.12 (114)

PEEL THUNDER 2.2 4.6 7.9 9.11 (65)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Fowler 4; Tsalikis, Mellington 3; Salecic 2; Crisp, Guadagnin, Nelson, Shannon, Stockley.

Best: Nelson, Strijk, Guadagnin, Black, Potente, Kerr, Jones, Tsalikis. 

PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Holmes, Michie 2; Motlop, Crichton, Green, McKenna, Wilkins.

Best: Motlop, Michie, Orzel, Jones, Crozier, McKenna.

BY CHRIS PIKE