SHAKY START TO SEASON CONTINUES

The unfurling of the 2013 premiership flag was the only highlight of the game against Claremont at the Arena on Saturday. Once again the Falcons produced a disappointing brand of football to lose by two goals. The attack on the football could not be questioned but the skills left a lot to be desired.

Jay van Berlo won the toss and the Falcons kicked to the southern end. The first major went to the Tigers Jack Richardson at the eleven minute mark. Trailing by six at this point West Perth then produced their most productive period of the match kicking three unanswered goals. This took them out to a thirteen point lead at the twenty minute mark. Shane Nelson kicked the first after receiving a free thirty out, Jay van Berlo received a free and fifty from the resultant centre bounce to give the Falcons the lead and Matt Fowler completed the run with an accurate kick forty five out from the boundary. At the twenty nine minute mark Claremont scored their second goal to reduce the margin to just six at the first change. The Falcons led; 3.3 (21) to 2.3 (15).

The tight and scrappy contest continued in the second quarter but it only took four minutes for the Tigers to lock the game up courtesy of a goal from Thomas Ledger. Five minutes later a clever pass from Matt Fowler set up Anthony Tsalikis for the first of his four goals for the game. “Slick” was the only forward to have an impact on the game. The Falcons then scored four behinds to take the lead out to nine at the eighteen minute mark. It would be fair to say that they didn’t get reward for effort during this time and this was highlighted by the fact that Claremont kicked two quick goals to take the lead at the twenty eight minute mark. West Perth regained the advantage after Anthony Tsalikis passed to big man Chris Keunen who finished from forty. At the main break the Falcons led 5.7 (37) to 5.5 (35).

Both teams kicked three goals in the third quarter. In many ways it was a repeat of the first two. At the ten minute mark the Falcons had taken the lead out to a game high fifteen points courtesy of a brace to Anthony Tsalikis. “Slick” in fact kicked the three goals for the quarter. The scrappy nature of the game saw no score again until the twenty minute mark. When the scoring started it was all Claremont and they kicked three quick ones to grab a three point lead at the twenty nine minute mark. Anthony Tsalikis then kicked his third for the quarter and fourth for the game to ensure that West Perth went into the final term with a four point lead. The scores were 8.10 (58) to 8.6 (54).

The less said about the last quarter the better. The Falcons failed to bother the scorer and Claremont kicked two goals four to run out twelve point victors. The torrential downpour for the last ten minutes of the game matched the mood of West Perth supporters. Final scores were Claremont 10.10 (70) to West Perth 8.10 (58).

It was a disappointing result for West Perth but it was an important day off the field as Channel Nine was unveiled as a major sponsor. The three year sponsorship deal will be the best in West Perth’s history. Channel Nine Managing Director, David Mott, a lifelong Falcons supporter, was a guest at the President’s luncheon.

Best players for the Falcons included Steve Potente, Shane Nelson, Luke Tedesco, Laine Rasmussen and best was Anthony Tsalikis. The Reserves also went down; players to receive awards included promising big man Tim Sutherland, Stephen Healy, Corey Chalmers and best was Matthew Spencer. Back to the Arena next week for a game against the red hot Demons. Be there to see what West Perth can deliver.

BY DARRELL KENT

PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR