TSALIKIS GOAL SEES FALCONS STEAL WIN OVER THUNDER

FOR the second time inside six days West Perth recorded a remarkable victory when Anthony Tsalikis kicked truly just before the siren to secure the Falcons a one-point win over Peel Thunder at Arena Joondalup on Mother's Day.

Coming off Tuesday night's two-point victory in the Foxtel Cup clash with the Box Hill Hawks at Etihad Stadium, West Perth left it to the last possible moment to hit the front against Peel, but Tsalikis booted a goal with just about the last kick of the day on Sunday to secure the 14.9 (93) to 14.8 (92) win on Sunday.

Not only has West Perth now booked in a home Foxtel Cup semi-final this week, but also sits in fourth position on the ladder in the WAFL replacing Perth in the top-four with a 3-4 record following seven matches of the premiership defence.

West Perth did kick the first two goals of the game against Peel, but coughed up the last four goals of the first quarter, and then the last five of the second term as well to trail by a game-high 42 points at half-time.

The Falcons only managed to be back within 30 points by three quarter-time and were still down by 17 points in time-on of the final term, but then goals to Kody Manning and Nick Rodda still gave them a chance.

A behind to Marcus Adams had West Perth within five points and then Tsalikis took a mark in the left forward pocket with the time clock over the 30-minute mark.

The 176-game veteran coolly slotted the goal to put West Perth in front by a point and then the siren went only seconds after the ball was bounced back in the middle.

The win is West Perth's sixth straight overall against Peel and eighth straight against the Thunder at Arena Joondalup.

Peel has now lost 18 straight matches with its last win coming in Round 10 last year against East Perth at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

As well as kicking the winning goal, Tsalikis had a strong game for West Perth finishing with 27 possessions, 10 marks and five inside-50 entries.

Shane Nelson again led the way in the midfield for the Falcons with 34 possessions and six tackles with Aaron Black finishing with 29 disposals as well.

Andrew Strijk was instrumental in West Perth's fight back in the second half and finished the game with 27 disposals and a crucial final quarter goal.

Steve Potente also worked hard for 25 touches to go with two goals with Jay van Berlo picking up 22 disposals, Luke Tedesco 19, Steven Browne 18 and Kody Manning 16 to go with 12 tackles and two goals.

Andrew Krakouer also kicked three goals from seven kicks with Nick Rodda booting two majors as well.

West Perth got the first two goals of the game through Potente and Rodda, and then when Manning strolled in for the Falcons' third, the Falcons were off to a good start and seven points in front.

However, Peel was five points in front by quarter-time and continued its momentum in the second quarter until West Perth broke the Thunder's run of five straight goals when Krakouer dribbled one through to cut the lead to 11 points.

The Thunder, though, then steadied before half-time to end up leading by a game-high 42 points at half-time.

West Perth kicked two quick goals through Rohan Kerr and Krakouer to start the third quarter and then when Potente and Matt Guadagnin got in on the act, suddenly the deficit was cut to 17 points.

Peel steadied again, though before three quarter-time to still lead by 30 points at the last change.

West Perth again kicked the first goal of the final quarter, this time to Browne, and then Krakouer booted his third of the game at the 12-minute mark to put the Falcons within just 16 points.

It was then 10 points at the 17-minute mark when Matthew Spencer handpassed off to Strijk who drilled a goal from outside 50.

Peel steadied with a goal to Cruize Garlett at the 20-minute mark, but then six minutes later Manning goaled with a good snap and then Rodda received a lucky free-kick for a supposed high tackle.

He kicked the goal from the free to make the margin six points, which then became five and then West Perth went up by a point when Tsalikis held his nerve to kick truly.

Meanwhile in the reserves, West Perth won its fourth straight match beating Peel 16.16 (112) to 7.8 (50).

Full-forward Matt Fowler was the star for the Falcons kicking 8.6 from 17 kicks and 15 marks.

Brayden Antonio picked up 23 possessions and kicked two goals with Mitch McPhee also booting two majors, and Jack Thrum gathering 26 disposals, Aidan Lynch 21, Kris Shannon 19, Blake Wilhelm 18, McPhee 17 and Ben McNamara 17.

And in the colts, Peel recorded its first win in any grade this season beating West Perth 8.9 (57) to 8.6 (54).

Sam Rotham, Kaidyn Fullgrabe and Jamie Ryder kicked two goals apiece for the Falcons with William Michell racking up 27 possessions, Ashley Smith 26, Angus Innes 25 and Dean Munns 21 to go with 10 tackles.

WEST PERTH 3.2 4.3 8.6 14.9 (93)

PEEL THUNDER 4.1 11.3 13.6 14.8 (92)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Krakouer 3; Manning, Rodda, Potente 2; Strijk, Kerr, Browne, Guadagnin, Tsalikis.

Best: Nelson, Strijk, Tsalikis, Browne, Manning, van Berlo, Potente.

PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Taberner 5; Morabito, Garlett, Sheridan 2; Thornton, Dann, Ballard. 

Best: Sheridan, Menegola, Taberner, Dann, Morabito, Jones, Bradley.

BY CHRIS PIKE