FALCONS IN SECOND HALF FADE OUT

An undermanned West Perth was competitive in the first half against East Fremantle at The Arena on Sunday but was overrun in the second to be defeated by seventy three points. Matt Guadagnin Chris Keunen, Andrew Strijk, Luke Tedesco and Kris Shannon were all missing from the victorious team of last week and this took its toll after half time. On the positive side this presented Luke Meadows and Ben McNamara with the opportunity to make their league debut and both players contributed and will benefit from the experience. Unfortunately the result didn’t give Ray Bartholomew the win that he would have liked to celebrate his 150^th game milestone but it doesn’t take away from the magnificent achievement.

Congratulations must go to the West Perth Football Club and District for the International fixture that was celebrated on this day. Once again the game attracted a crowd of over 6000 people and it is a credit to all concerned. The game has become a highlight of the football season as it showcases WAFL footy and introduces it to a number of new football followers.

East Fremantle hit the scoreboard first courtesy of big man Rob Young. He went on to kick four for the game and was a danger all day. The Falcons response didn’t take long and it came as the result of a long kick from on the boundary by Shane Nelson. It was a really good finish. Ben McNamara then bobbed up to have the distinction of kicking a goal with his first kick in League football. It was a classy snap out of a pack. Kody Manning took the lead to thirteen after taking a strong pack mark twenty out and it was out to nineteen at the seventeen minute mark when a Steve Potente kick sailed through from an acute angle. The Sharks then steadied to kick two and reduce the margin to just four points at the first change. The Falcons led 4.2 (26) to 3.4 (22).

Brad Dick, who seems to go well against the Falcons, gave the Sharks the lead with his second within a minute of the commencement of the second quarter. Brayden Antonio then stepped up; although he didn’t kick a goal his accurate foot passing was the catalyst in enabling Mark Hutchings to kick consecutive majors. The lead was out to ten after six minutes but the East Fremantle reply came shortly after as the result of a free and fifty to the Sharks. Five behinds were kicked before the Sharks grabbed a one point lead after a Jack Perham major. Josh Mellington ran hard to be on the end of a Jason Salecic kick to give the lead back to West Perth but a goal just before the siren saw East Fremantle go into the main break with a one point advantage; 7.6 (48) to 7.5 (47).

The Sharks blew West Perth off the park in the third quarter. They kicked nine unanswered goals in a sustained burst of football to lead by fifty six at the twenty five minute mark. There was little that the Falcons could do to stem the tide. The only Falcon goal for the quarter came when the skipper, Jason Salecic, laid a great tackle and split the middle from forty out on the boundary. The game was lost at three quarter time as West Perth trailed by fifty; 16.9 (105) to 8.7 (55).

The best that West Perth could hope for was to preserve percentage but this was not to be the case as they were outscored four goals to one in the final term. At the ten minute mark Josh Mellington kicked his second but at the final siren West Perth had suffered a seventy three point defeat; 20.14 (134) to 9.7 (61).

While the Senior sides defeat wasn’t what was hoped for great kudos must be given to the Reserves for their sterling seven point victory. They fought back after being headed on a number of occasions to record a seven point victory. A number of Colts players came into the side and the win was a credit to all concerned. Coach Paul Sanzone has done a terrific job to get the side into the four after a slow start to the season.

Best players for the League team were hard to find as few were four quarter contributors. Players to receive awards included Brayden Antonio, Josh Mellington, Dan Hunt and best was Mark Hutchings who always gives his best when he returns to West Perth. As disappointing as the loss was there is no doubt that Senior coach, Bill Monaghan, is working this side towards a finals campaign. Having said that the injury curse seems to have continued with Anthony Tsalikis suffering what appears to be a season ending shoulder injury. Reserves players to be recognised included Aidan Lynch, Joe Morrow, Jordan Mills and best was James Embley. A week off before the final game of the home and way season against Swans at Steel Blue Oval. Be there to help get both sides over the line in what will be a crucial encounter.