FALCONS BEAT LIONS IN ANOTHER THRILLER

WEST Perth and Subiaco likely played out the most entertaining game of the WAFL season to date at Medibank Stadium and it was the Falcons who prevailed to win by 10 points in the finish.

Coming off a two-point Foxtel Cup win over the Box Hill Hawks and a come from behind one-point win over the Peel Thunder the previous Sunday, the Falcons took on the league-leading Subiaco on Saturday and finished up winning 14.12 (96) to 13.8 (86).

In the process, the Lions slipped from top spot on the WAFL ladder with the loss while West Perth improved to a 4-4 record in fourth position and to remain right in touch with the top-three teams, and with a handy gap to the teams chasing outside the top-four.

It was a tight contest all afternoon at Leederville with West Perth up by a point at quarter-time, by three at half-time and then 22 at three quarter-time. The Lions hit back in the last term to get within five points, but a clever steal and goal to Kody Manning sealed the Falcons' win.

With Dan Hunt and Shaun Marusic holding down the key defensive posts, Nick Rodda was able to stay forward for the second straight week and the premiership teenager had a good game with four goals from 13 possessions and six marks.

Centre half-forward Marcus Adams also booted three goals for the Falcons with Steve Potente adding two majors.

Aaron Black racked up a game-high 29 possessions to ensure that the WA selectors didn’t forget about him after he put in a tremendous performance in last year's win over Victoria in Northam.

Andrew Strijk also picked up 22 possessions for West Perth with Rohan Kerr adding 22 disposals and seven inside-50 entries, and Shane Nelson 21 touches.

Co-captain Jay van Berlo worked hard for 15 possessions and 10 tackles.

The ruck battle was a fascinating one with West Perth's Chris Keunen up against former Falcon Frank Stockley. Keunen finished with 13 possessions, 41 hit outs, three inside 50s and a goal while Stockley had 13 disposals, 49 hit outs and three inside-50 entries.

West Perth got off to a good start against Subiaco with two early goals to Keunen and Adams, and then a third goal of the first quarter to Potente had the Falcons seven points in front.

Rodda then got his first of the day just before quarter-time to stretch the lead back to seven points.

Subiaco fought back to take the lead early in the second term, but Rodda's second major put West Perth back in front.

However, the Lions booted the next two goals to be 11 points in front before Anthony Tsalikis got on the board to bring the Falcons back to within five points.

Rodda's third goal of the first half, and singles to Andrew Krakouer and Steven Browne before half-time ensured West Perth still led by three points at the main break.

It took until 25 minutes of the third quarter for either side to score a goal and it was West Perth who got it with Rodda booting his fourth of the afternoon.

Further goals to Potente and Adams had West Perth 22 points up at three quarter-time, but the Lions weren’t done with yet.

Subiaco closed the gap to five points before Adams kicked his third of the day to stead West Perth. The Lions again got the next goal, but again Manning steadied the Falcons and they held on to win impressively by 10 points.

West Perth's reserves also recorded a strong 20-point win over Subiaco to have now won four on the trot.

Cameron Branch and Matt Fowler kicked two goals apiece for the Falcons with Trent Manzone racking up 36 possessions, Brayden Antonio 25, Aidan Lynch 22, Luke Meadows 22, James Embley 18 and Drew Rohde 18.

The colts got the day off to the perfect start for West Perth at Leederville beating Subiaco 8.16 (64) to 9.7 (61).

Jamie Ryder and Sam Rotham kicked two goals apiece for the Falcons with William Michell racking up 28 possessions, Dean Munns 27, Ashley Smith 23, Mitchell Antonio 20 and Troy Manners 20.

WEST PERTH 4.2 9.6 12.10 14.12 (96)

SUBIACO 4.1 9.3 9.6 13.8 (86)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Rodda 4; Adams 3; Potente 2; Browne, Krakouer, Tsalikis, Keunen, Manning.

Best: Black, Strijk, Kerr, Rodda, Adams, van Berlo, Rasmussen, Nelson.

SUBIACO – Goals: Boland 5; Yarran, Halligan, Fetherstonhaugh 2; Horsley, Hampson.

Best: Horsley, Bristow, Boland, Hampson, Delahunty, Phelan, Halligan.

BY CHRIS PIKE