FALCONS FINISH OVER THE TOP OF PERTH FOR FIRST WIN OF 2014

WEST Perth delivered an outstanding last quarter to hand Perth its first defeat of the season and win its first game of the 2014 premiership defence in the process running out 18-point winners at Arena Joondalup on Saturday.

West Perth had opened its season with a narrow loss to East Fremantle and then a disappointing defeat at the hands of Claremont while Perth came into Saturday's encounter following tremendous victories against Claremont and South Fremantle.

And it was a hard fought, albeit scrappy, contest all afternoon at Arena Joondalup on Saturday but it was West Perth who came back from trailing by two points at three quarter-time to kick four goals to one in the final term to end up winning 15.13 (103) to 13.7 (85).

The Falcons got the perfect start to the game with the first two goals through Rohan Kerr and Andrew Strijk, but the Demons then got the next two to trail just a point at quarter-time.

West Perth then looked capable of running away with the contest when goals to Brayden Antonio and then Matt Fowler in succession late in the second quarter stretched the Falcons' lead to 19 points, but the Demons again managed to cut it back to just 10 points by the long break.

Perth then did have the better of the third quarter and went into the fourth term with a two-point advantage after captain Paul Bevan kicked a goal from outside-50 on three quarter-time siren.

The lead then changed hands several times through the first 17 minutes of the final quarter, but when West Perth regained the lead through Antonio's second goal, that's where the Falcons stayed.

Further goals to Steven Browne and Strijk stretched the lead out to 17 points and it was 18 by the final siren.

Centre half-forward Marcus Adams was outstanding for the Falcons after a relatively quiet start to his West Perth career in Round 1, and then an encouraging performance in Round 2 against Claremont.

He finished the game on Saturday with 15 possessions, seven inside-50 entries and three crucial goals in a superb performance.

Shane Nelson was again the best ball-winner on the ground finishing with 29 possessions and five inside-50 entries. He could have had an even great impact had it not been for his four behinds kicked.

Aaron Black also continued his outstanding start to the season with another 26 possessions, five inside 50s, four tackles and a goal.

Trent Manzone also had his best game of the season for the Falcons with 25 possessions with Rohan Kerr also racking up 23 disposals, Jay van Berlo 19, Anthony Tsalikis 18, Steven Browne 17, Matt Fowler 16 and Steve Potente 16.

As well as Adams booting three goals for West Perth, Strijk booted three and Brayden Antonio kicked two.

Ruckman Chris Keunen also had an outstanding game for the Falcons finishing with 20 possessions, 39 hot outs, four marks and three inside-50 entries.

Meanwhile in the reserves, West Perth went down against Perth by just nine points in a tight affair even though the Falcons managed just the two goals in the first half.

Mitch McPhee continued his good form to start the season with 21 possessions and two goals with Max Alexander also booting two majors.

Aidan Lynch also finished with 21 possessions, Shaun Marusic 20, Matthew Spencer 19, Drew Rohde 19, Jack Thrum 19 and James Embley 18.

The colts got the day off to a terrific start, though, recording an 18.10 (118) to 9.7 (61) victory.

Kaidyn Fullgrabe starred for the Falcons booting five goals from 16 possessions and seven marks.

Nathan Alexandre also booted three goals with Tyson Moulton, Clinton Hinchcliffe and William Michell all booting two apiece.

WEST PERTH 2.2 8.7 11.8 15.13 (103)

PERTH 2.3 7.3 12.4 13.7 (85)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Strijk, Adams 3; Antonio 2; Black, Kerr, Tsalikis, Nelson, Fowler, Shannon, Browne.

Best: Nelson, Adams, Keunen, Black, Manzone, Browne, Kerr, van Berlo.

PERTH – Goals: Bevan 4; O'Sullivan, C Morton, Collard 2; Stack, Keast, Richardson.

Best: Bevan, White, Ugle, J Morton, C Morton, O'Sullivan, Busher.

BY CHRIS PIKE