FALCONS LOSE BUT STAY SECOND, RESERVES MAKE FINALS

WEST Perth wasn’t able to win its final home and away game of 2013 against Swan Districts at Bassendean's Steel Blue Oval but all attention is already on this Sunday's second semi-final.

WEST Perth wasn’t able to win its final home and away game of 2013 against Swan Districts at Bassendean's Steel Blue Oval but all attention is already on this Sunday's second semi-final.

The Falcons were going to finish in second position on the WAFL ladder and earn a finals doubles chance no matter what happened on Saturday but Swan Districts needed to win to secure its own finals place, and the black-and-whites won 10.13 (73) to 7.13 (55).

West Perth now finishes the home and away season on a 13-7 record to be comfortable in second position and to set up a second semi-final clash with two-time reigning premiers Claremont at Claremont Oval this Sunday afternoon.

If West Perth wins that, then the Falcons will be in their first grand final since winning the 2003 premiership.

If the Falcons aren’t able to beat the Tigers then it will mean a home preliminary final at Arena Joondalup against the winner of the first semi-final between Swan Districts and East Perth at Steel Blue Oval also on Sunday.

As for Saturday's clash with Swan Districts, the black-and-whites held a slender lead for the entire afternoon but could never break away from the Falcons.

Swans led by five points at quarter-time, seven at half-time and nine at three quarter-time, but early last quarter goals put the result beyond doubt for the black-and-whites.

West Perth had three prolific ball winners throughout the afternoon, though, with Shane Nelson, Aaron Black and Mark Hutchings combining for an incredible 108 possessions, 23 marks, nine tackles, 11 entries inside the forward 50 and two goals.

Nelson had a day out at Bassendean racking up a career-high 42 disposals to go with seven marks and four inside-50 entries. His 42 possession effort is the highest of a West Perth player since Josh Pearce racked up 43 in Round 14, 2008 against Swan Districts at the same venue.

Black also gathered a career-best 37 possessions to go with nine marks, four inside-50 entries and a goal while Hutchings had 29 touches, seven marks, seven tackles, three inside 50s and a goal.

Rohan Kerr also had 20 touches to go with kicking three goals for the Falcons as the team's only multiple goal scorer on the day.

Shaun Marusic did work hard, though, finishing with 20 possessions, six tackles and five inside 50s from centre half-forward.

Steven Browne did well off half-back with 20 touches and 10 marks while Ray Bartholomew collected 18 disposals and the returning Jay van Berlo who was back from a knee injury after only missing the previous three matches.

The West Perth league side might not have been able to pull off the win at Bassendean, but both the colts and reserves did.

The Falcons reserves beat Swans 5.13 (43) to 4.13 (37) by kicking the only three goals of the last quarter and as a result they finish the season in fourth position setting up a derby first semi-final next week against East Perth.

Frank Stockley worked tirelessly in the ruck for West Perth finishing with 21 possessions and 43 hit outs while Joel Latham had 24 disposals, Aidan Lynch 24 and the returning Matt Johnson 15 to go with five marks.

The Falcons colts might have missed out on playing finals but finished off the season on an impressive note with a 16.12 (108) to 10.9 (69) victory over Swan Districts.

West Perth was behind by 11 points at quarter-time, but assumed the lead by half-time and then kicked nine goals to four in the second to secure the 39-point victory.

William Michell, Jesse Kirwen and Andrew Hardman all kicked three goals for the Falcons with Angus Innes also kicking two goals.

Kirk Bartel gathered 17 possessions, Innes 17, Hardman 14, Kirwen 13 and Josh Nolan 12.

WEST PERTH 1.4 4.5 5.11 7.13 (55)

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.3 5.6 7.9 10.13 (73)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Kerr 3; Black, Salecic, Hutchings.

Best: Nelson, Black, Hutchings, Kerr, Browne, Marusic, Bartholomew.

SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Geappen 3; Roach, Boekhorst, Twomey, Davis, Garlett, Notte, Rogers.

Best: Davis, Bennell, Geappen, Twomey, Notte, Garlett, Boekhorst.

BY CHRIS PIKE

PHOTOS BY DAN WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY