RESERVES BRAVE BUT NOT VICTORIOUS

A TERRIFIC season by West Perth's reserves wasn’t rewarded with a premiership on Sunday but there was a lot to like about the efforts that got them there.

The side is the second youngest in the WAFL reserves competition and their effort to reach the grand final was outstanding. At the end of the day the bigger bodies and greater experience of the Bulldogs was too much to overcome and they lost by 36 points. As a result they weren’t the first West Perth reserves side since 1960 to win a flag but there is no doubt that the pressure they put on the league side for places was a contributing factor to their well earned victory.

The Bulldogs jumped to the front early and were never headed. It was an even first quarter but South Fremantle made best use of the conditions to lead by two goals at the first change. The two goal scorers for the Falcons were Corey Chalmers and Drew Rohde. Both have shown that they are part of a band of young players who will be pushing for league selection next year. The Bulldogs looked likely to run away with the game at different times but the young Falcons hung tough. Quarter time scores were South Fremantle 4.2 (26) to West Perth 2.2 (14).

The second quarter was probably the key one of the game. The Falcons attacked regularly but were only able to kick 2.6 as opposed to the Bulldogs five straight. At one stage West Perth kicked four behinds in five minutes but they could not find the big opening. Matt Johnson showed his class with a great run and carry goal while the other goal scorer was Ben O’Regan who finished on the run from 50. The job was in front of the Falcons as they trailed 9.2 (56) to 4.8 (32) at the main break.

The game really opened up in the third quarter but unfortunately for the Falcons the Bulldogs were the first to hit the scoreboard. Simon Panizza kicked his second to put Souths 30 in front. West Perth then came back strongly and narrowed the gap to 11 by the 16-minute mark. Kris Shannon finished from 50, Joel Latham marked 30 out and kicked accurately and then Ben McNamara snapped a beauty. Unfortunately West Perth were unable to sustain the challenge as the Bulldogs piled on four goals in quick time to take the lead out to 36. The Falcons finished the term best kicking another two while the Bulldogs added one but after a term of good footy South Fremantle had actually increased their lead to 30 to safely have the game in hand. They led 15.3 (93) to 9.9 (63).

West Perth continued to press hard but the accurate kicking of South Fremantle helped to set up the victory. During the course of the term Chalmers, Brayden Antonio and the skipper Cameron Branch, added to their goal tallies but it wasn’t enough to close the gap and South Fremantle ran out 36-point victors; 19.6 (120) to 12.12 (84). The scoring shots were even all day but the better finishing gave the Bulldogs the edge.

It was a wonderful season for the playing group who after seven rounds were looking at the wooden spoon. Paul Sanzone and his coaching team helped the group to come together and play a very good second half of the season. The team contains a number of players who have been exposed to ;eague football or are capable of playing it. Despite the result there is a lot to look forward to.

BY DARRELL KENT

PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY