Falcons Nail Road Trip

FALCONS NAIL ROAD TRIP

West Perth continued their impressive build up to the finals with a comprehensive sixty point victory against Perth in Moora on Saturday. The game was played under an overcast sky with intermittent showers but the Falcons adjusted to the conditions to dominate from quarter time onwards. For the second time in three games West Perth kept a side goalless in the second half and this is a credit to the mindset of the team. Credit must also be given to the condition of the oval that the game took place on. It was very good and better than a number of WAFL grounds. This helped to make the day a success.

Goals to Matt Fowler and Josh Mellington got the ball rolling for the Falcons. They came within the first four minutes of the game. Play settled down before Simon Tunbridge put Perth on the scoreboard but a strong mark by Chris Keunen resulted in Marc Crisp getting on the board with a clever left foot snap. The lead was out to eleven at the sixteen minute mark but from here it was all Perth. They pressed hard and piled on the last three goals of the quarter to take a seven point lead into the first change. The Demons led 4.2 (26) to 3.1 (19).

A nine goal second quarter was the springboard for the Falcons victory. The quarter started in ideal fashion for West Perth when Chris Keunen received a free and fifty at the centre bounce. His straight kick narrowed the margin to one. A goal to the hard working Rowan Kerr restored the lead for the Falcons and a behind to Anthony Tsalikis made the difference one straight kick. The classy Perth skipper, Paul Bevan, broke free to score his first and even the scores. Jordan Jones had been having an impact and this resulted in a pass to Matt Fowler forty out on an angle. His straight kick was the second of his five for the day. Kody Manning then displayed the attack on the football that Falcons supporters love. He chased,  tackled an opponent and received a free twenty out. He converted and gave West Perth a twelve point lead. Paul Bevan narrowed the margin but the next three majors went to the Falcons to take them out to a twenty four point lead at the twenty five minute mark. A left foot pass by Matt Fowler set up “Slick” for his first, a long kick forward by Jason Salecic resulted in a major by Shaun Marusic from the square and Marc Crisp chimed in with his second. Kyle Reimers then kicked his second but a goal to Matt Guadagnin and a third to Matt Fowler saw West Perth finish the half with a thirty point lead. It was a tremendous quarter of team football that was highlighted by pressuring their opponents every time they had the ball. Scores were 12.3 (75) to 7.3 (45).

The third quarter started with some showers and as a result the standard of football suffered. It wasn’t until the twelve minute mark before the first score resulted. Perth scored two behinds before a run and carry passage of play started by Andrew Strijk in the back pocket resulted in Marc Crisp finishing from twenty. It was a terrific passage in testing conditions. Once again Perth was unable to find the big opening and scored two behinds before West Perth kicked the only other major for the quarter. It went to Steven Browne after he received a free and fifty metres. At the final change West Perth had increased their lead to thirty eight; 14.4 (88) to 7.8 (50).

Perth had a number of opportunities to kick goals in the last quarter but their inaccuracy continued to plague them. West Perth, however, continued their straight kicking with four. Matt Gaudagnin scored his second at the eight minute mark but from here points were the order of the day until the twenty minute mark. At this point Anthony Tsalikis kicked his third and Matt Fowler the last two of the game to take his tally to five. At the final siren West Perth had registered a comfortable ten goal victory; 18.7 (115) to 7.13 (55).

Injuries to Luke Tedesco and Jordan Jones are the major concern to come out of the game. Both have been in fine form and hopefully will overcome them to be ready for finals. Players to receive awards were Matt Fowler, Aaron Black, Chris Keunen, Shane Nelson, Matt Guadagnin and best was Andrew Strijk who was rarely beaten in a contest. The Reserves continued their great form with a comfortable victory over the top side. There is a lot to look forward to so be there next Sunday to support the teams against the Sharks at the Arena. It is the International Round so there should be a big crowd.