FALCONS' RESERVES FALL SHORT IN GRAND FINAL

WEST Perth's reserves put in a tremendous effort to make the grand final of 2013 and continued to fight hard but in the end went down to a star-studded South Fremantle team by 36 points.

The Bulldogs qualified for the grand final having beaten minor premier Perth in the second semi-final a fortnight ago and despite the Falcons reserves storming into the decider on a nine-game winning run, South Fremantle was too good in the grand final winning 19.6 (120) to 12.12 (84).

South Fremantle had a strong team in with 17 of the players having played league football previously with the Bulldogs including some regular players in the senior team in the second half of the year like Tim Kelly, Brendan Verrier, James Laurino, Blaine Johnson, Marlon Pickett and Warrick Andreoli.

Then the Bulldogs also had a league premiership player in its midst in the form of Reece Adams, but West Perth was far from lacking talent and had done a tremendous job to win nine straight matches, and come from fourth spot to make the grand final.

Trent Manzone was the unlucky Falcon to miss out on selection in the West Perth league side in the grand final as well later in the day against East Perth with him making way for returning vice-captain Luke Tedesco.

League-experienced and calibre players James Embley, Frank Stockley, Kris Shannon, Brayden Antonio and Matt Johnson also lined up for the Falcons meaning that both sides deserved to head into the grand final thinking they were a good chance to win.

South Fremantle led all day, though, and despite a rally from West Perth closing to within 11 points midway through the third term, but the Bulldogs responded and ended up winning by 36 points.

South Fremantle teenager Blaine Johnson won the Merv McIntosh Medal as best afield after he kicked five goals from eight kicks.

Kaiden Matera also booted four goals for the Bulldogs with Alex Grima adding two, Simon Panizza two and Kingsley Smith two.

Jason Maskos was outstanding running off half-back finishing with 22 possessions, six rebounds from the defensive 50 and four tackles.

Tim Kelly picked up 18 possessions to go with six clearances while captain Tyler Hall gathered 17 disposals, Jarrad Winter 17, Brendan Verrier 16 and Reece Adams 14.

For the second straight week Corey Chalmers had plenty of chances on goal for West Perth but couldn’t kick straight finishing with 2.5 but he still was one of the Falcons' best performers on the day with 20 possessions and four inside-50 entries.

It was Frank Stockley who was West Perth's best, though, with the Prendergast Medallist finishing with a dominant 18 possessions, 38 hit outs, 11 clearances and five inside-50 entries.

James Embley also gathered 19 possessions and had six clearances for West Perth with Trent Manzone finishing with 19 disposals, Ben McNamara 19, Kris Shannon 17 and Brayden Antonio 16.

South Fremantle started the game on fire after having the week off with Smith kicking two early goals and despite Drew Rohde and Chalmers adding majors for the Falcons, the Bulldogs were in control by 12 points at quarter-time.

West Perth made a charge early in the second quarter to close South Fremantle's lead, but the Bulldogs caught fire just before half-time with goals to Panizza, Johnson, Strom and Johnson again to hold a 24-point advantage at the main break.

Three quick goals for West Perth from the seven to the 13-minute mark of the third quarter had the Falcons back to within 11 points all of a sudden, but South Fremantle wouldn’t be denied.

Four goals in three minutes to the Bulldogs from Matera (two), Johnson and Grima blew South Fremantle's lead out to 36 points, and despite the Falcons continuing to fight they never again got closer than 25 points and ended up losing by36. 

WEST PERTH 2.2 4.8 9.9 12.12 (84)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 4.2 9.2 15.3 19.6 (120)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Chalmers, Rohde 2; McNamara, Shannon, Latham, Branch, Morrow, Johnson, Antonio, O'Regan.

Best: Stockley, Embley, Manzone, Branch, Chalmers, McNamara.

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Johnson 5; Matera 4; Grima, Panizza, Smith 2; Kelly, Verrier, Strom, Parry.

Best: Johnson, Grima, Maskos, Kelly, Hall, Matera, Verrier, Winter. 

Merv McIntosh Medal: Blaine Johnson (South Fremantle).

BY CHRIS PIKE