FALCONS LOSE TO SHARKS ON MASSIVE DAY

THE result might not have gone West Perth's way on Sunday at Arena Joondalup with East Fremantle coming away victorious but the Falcons remain safe in second spot and it was a tremendously successful day celebrating International Round.

Following up with the tremendous success of International Round at Arena Joondalup last year, West Perth once again did an outstanding job celebrating multiculturalism both of the club and the club's zone in particular the City of Joondalup and surrounds.

Once again the Falcons wore a specially-designed jumper with flags of various nations prominent on the front of the strip while a host of activities were put on around the ground for those new to the game as migrants to Australia.

That saw a massive crowd of 6195 turn out to Arena Joondalup to support the Falcons against East Fremantle.

While the Sharks ran out 20.14 (134) to 9.7 (61) winners, the day was a massive success for the West Perth Football Club and didn’t do any damage to the Falcons' position in second spot on the WAFL ladder.

The Falcons sit on a 13-6 record to remain two games clear of the third-placed East Perth and even though the Royals have a game in hand, West Perth still has a large percentage advantage ahead the final round clash with Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval following the bye this weekend.

East Fremantle, meanwhile, had it all to play for on Sunday and put on a dominant showing after quarter-time kicking 17 goals to just five to end up winning by 73 points and improving to fourth position on the ladder.

West Perth was coming off winning its last three games and seven of its last eight overall, and started well against the Sharks in front of the big crowd on Sunday.

The Falcons led by four points at quarter-time, but by half-time East Fremantle was up by a solitary point with the result up for grabs. However, the Sharks then kicked nine goals to one in the third quarter, and four to one in the last.

West Perth was without a host of key players including Andrew Strijk, Matt Guadagnin, Matt Johnson, Jay van Berlo, Laine Rasmussen, Kris Shannon, Luke Tedesco, Michael Pettigrew and Chris Keunen.

Experienced forward Anthony Tsalikis was also out of the game early after going down firstly with a cut to his head and then with a shoulder injury before he managed to touch the ball.

Mark Hutchings did return for West Perth after surprisingly being dropped after some impressive AFL form with West Coast, and finished the day with 26 possessions, six marks, three inside-50 entries and two goals.

Fremantle's Josh Mellington also had a strong day ending up with 25 disposals, six inside-50 entries and two goals.

Steve Potente continued his tremendous form for the Falcons with 25 possessions, six tackles, four inside 50s and a goal with Aaron Black gathering 24 touches, Brayden Antonio 22, Shane Nelson 21 and Frank Stockley worked hard in the ruck finishing with 16 touches and 33 hit outs.

Unfortunately, the loss also continued West Perth's recent trend of losing significant milestone matches with Ray Bartholomew reaching 150 games to earn life membership with the Falcons on Sunday.

It was a good day for the West Perth's reserves, though, with them recording a crucial seven-point victory over East Fremantle, 10.8 (68) to 9.7 (61).

Tom Shadbolt, Aidan Lynch and Drew Rohde all kicked two goals apiece for the Falcons with James Embley gathering 23 possessions, Jack Thrum 23, Joe Morrow 20, Lynch 19, Jordan Mills 19 and Ben O'Regan 18.

It was a tough morning for the colts, though, with the Sharks running out 116-point to start off the day at Arena Joondalup.

Jesse Kirwen kicked West Perth's only goal of the match from his 17 possessions with Dean Munns gathering 21 disposals and laying eight tackles. Nick Bowe also had it 20 times, William Michell 19 and Mitchell Peirce 16.

WEST PERTH                                      4.2          7.5          8.7          9.7          (61)

EAST FREMANTLE                            3.4          7.6          16.9        20.14     (134)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Mellington, Hutchings 2; Salecic, Nelson, Potente, McNamara, Manning.

Best: Hutchings, Mellington, Antonio, Potente, Stockley, Nelson.

EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: Young, Dick 4; Cronan, Hancock, Perham, Howson 2; Edwards, MacDougall, Peake, Tropiano.

Best: O'Brien, Stephen, McGough, Peake, King, Henson, Hancock.

BY CHRIS PIKE

PHOTOS BY DAN WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY