FALCONS SCORE RECORD VICTORY

In a result that no one could have imagined West Perth thrashed the Royals by one hundred points at Medibank Stadium on Saturday. This is the highest winning margin for the Falcons in 331 clashes. West Perth controlled the game after quarter time and completely out played their opponents in all facets of the game.

It was a tight first term with both sides having plenty of the footy. Matt Fowler scored the first for West Perth but when Julian Locantro scored for the Royals at the twelve minute mark the Falcons led by just one. The West Perth forwards had a day out and Anthony Tsalikis bobbed up with the first of his six when he took the ball off hands to finish from the square. The advantage was short lived, however, as Simon Tunbridge scored the first of his three. He was the best of the Royals forwards. The Falcon reply was almost instantaneous though as Jay van Berlo took the ball out of the middle, got the ball into the hands of Matt Fowler who put a clever pass onto the chest of “Slick” for his second. Tunbridge popped up for his second to reduce the margin to just two at the twenty four minute mark. West Perth attacked for the rest of the term but only managed behinds. At the first change they led by five; 3.7 (25) to 3.2 (20).

West Perth started the second term full of running and Marcus Adams was quick to post the first of his five. Craig Wulff quickly hit back for the Royals before Anthony Tsalikis was on the end of some precise use of the footy for his third. The next ten minutes saw little scoreboard action before former Falcon Mark Hutchings scored from thirty. The margin was now just twelve but this was in fact the Royals last major until the nineteen minute mark of the last quarter. The Falcons then piled on three majors in quick time. They included the first of three to Kody Manning. He made a welcome return to the fold after completing his suspension. He adds a real presence around the ball. Marcus Adams added his second and third and as a result West Perth led by thirty at half time; 9.9 (63) to 5.3 (33).

The Falcons dominated the third quarter kicking six goals while holding East Perth to a solitary behind. Anthony Tsalikis added to his tally after marking twenty out, a great tackle by Laine Rasmussen resulted in a pass to Aaron Black who scored from forty and the lead was out to forty nine when Matt Fowler converted a free from twenty. This occurred at the twenty minute mark but the Falcons were far from finished. A Jordan Jones pass saw Ray Bartholomew finish from fifty, promising youngster James Batterham ran onto a loose ball for his first and some good work by Marc Crisp saw Marcus Adams soccer another from the square. At the final change the Falcons had established a sixty nine point lead; 15.13 (103) to 5.4 (34).

West Perth certainly didn’t take their foot off the accelerator in the final term and they piled on four goals in quick time to race to a ninety six point lead at the sixteen minute mark. Marcus Adams took a strong grab to kick his fifth, he then unselfishly handballed off to Kody Manning for his second, Shane Nelson passed to “Slick” at the top of the square for his fifth and then a precision pass from Brayden Antonio set up Matt Fowler for his third. Simon Tunbridge kicked his third and broke the drought for the Royals at the nineteen minute mark. The margin was reduced to eighty two when Callum Hart received a free and fifty. The highest winning margin then appeared out of reach but West Perth piled on three majors in the last few minutes. Anthony Tsalikis kicked his sixth, Matt Fowler his fourth and Kody Manning his third. Final scores were 22.17 (149) to 7.7 (49).

At the end of the game it was great to see all Falcon players go over to premiership team mate Mark Hutchings and acknowledge him. He tried hard for the Royals but there is no doubt about how much his former team mates admire and respect him. It was a commanding victory by the Falcons, one that could not have been anticipated. It throws the light on the host club arrangement as both the Reserves and League teams of East Perth were undefeated, the Eagles take seven players and both sides suffer triple figure defeats.

Best players for the League side included Aaron Black, Chris Keunen, Laine Rasmussen and it was no surprise that the three best awards went to the key forwards Matt Fowler, Marcus Adams and best was Anthony Tsalikis. The work of the midfield in getting the ball into their hands cannot be overstated.

The Reserves scored their first win of the year with a one hundred and fifteen point thrashing of East Perth. Best players included Andrew Krakouer, Mitch McPhee, Corey Chalmers and best was Jack Thrum. Another big game against South Fremantle at the Arena on Saturday. See you there.

BY DARRELL KENT

PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR