FALCONS MAKE FINALS A DIFFICULT TARGET

WEST Perth lost its fourth game of the season by two goals or less at HBF Arena in Joondalup on Saturday against East Fremantle. It has been a case of close but so far this year and as a result their chances of retaining their premiership crown hangs by a thread.

The Falcons have been competitive in all matches and have been trying very hard but just haven’t been quite as smooth as last year. On Saturday, East Fremantle had a better second half than the Falcons and as a result ran out nine-point winners; 14.5 (89) to 12.8 (80).

The first quarter was very even and set the tone for the day. Brett Peake got the ball rolling for the Sharks when he ran on to a ball to score from the square. Matt Johnson celebrated his return to the league side when he marked a Steve Potente pass 30 metres out and scored. The Falcons took the lead out to six points when Aaron Black kicked a clever banana goal from the boundary but the scores were even once again when Peake kicked his second after marking 20 out. The accurate kicking and momentum swings continued when Jay van Berlo finished from the square after receiving 50 but not to be outdone East Fremantle tied the game up again after big man, Rob Young, marked and finished from 30. The first behind of the day came at the 30-minute mark and it was kicked by Marc Crisp. This was the lead that West Perth took into the first change, 3.1 (19) to 3.90 (18).

West Perth started the second term full of run and purpose. The Falcons kicked three quick goals and raced to a 19-point lead. Johnson kicked a great goal from 50, Nick Rodda marked a long kick forward by Ray Bartholomew to finish from 30 and a pass from Rohan Kerr saw a fine finish by Trent Manzone from 40 on the boundary. The Falcons looked to be in charge but Jayden Schofield popped up with the first of his three goals for the day to narrow the lead. At the 17-minute mark he again was in the action and scored his second. This was to be the last goal of the quarter with the only other scoreboard action being a behind by both teams. The accuracy of both sides had continued and the scores were 7.2 (44) to 5.1 (31) at half-time.

The lead to the Falcons was quickly out to 20 points after some hard work by Shane Nelson resulted in Steven Browne finishing with a clever snap but from here it was all the Sharks as they piled on four unanswered goals to go to a four-point lead at the 14-minute mark. Browne’s second, after a pass from Johnson, restored the lead and this time it was the Falcons turn to dominate. Unfortunately their accuracy deserted them and they kicked four behinds to lead by seven at the 25-minute mark. A behind and major to the Sharks to finish the quarter saw the teams go into the final change all tied up. West Perth were 10.8 (68) to East Fremantle 11.2 (68). The Shark’s accuracy had kept them well and truly in the game.

Anthony Tsalikis’ first from 45 metres gave West Perth the early advantage in the final term but from here they didn’t bother the scorer for 20 more minutes as East Fremantle kicked three goals to go to a 15-point lead at the 21-minute mark. The Falcons had their chances but their decision making under pressure deserted them. When Tsalikis kicked his second at the 22-minute mark the lead was back to just nine and there was still plenty of time on the clock. But this was to be the last score of the day as West Perth was unable to penetrate the East Fremantle defence. Final scores saw the Sharks 14.5 (89) to the Falcons 12.8 (80).

It was a disappointing end to a day that had seen the colts improvement continue when they scored another victory and the reserves score a dominant win against the second placed Sharks. The league team now has the task of winning seven of its last nine games to play finals footy. It is doable but there isn’t much margin for error. Best players for the league side included Seva Martin, Andrew Strijk, Steven Browne, Shane Nelson and best was Aaron Black. For the reserves, in which a number of players are putting up their hand for a league game, best were Tim Sutherland, Ben O’Regan, Corey Chalmers and best was Aidan Lynch. The next game is a Foxtel Cup match against Western Storm at Patersons Stadium on Tuesday June 24 followed by a match against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval the following Sunday.

PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR