WEST PERTH MISS CHANCE TO RETURN TO TOP FOUR

WEST Perth might have only lost to East Fremantle by nine points at Joondalup's HBF Arena on Saturday but it's a result that leaves the Falcons with plenty of work to do to make the finals in 2014.

The clash between the Falcons and Sharks was always going to be a crucial one with fourth position up for grabs for the winners and by recording the 14.5 (89) to 12.8 (80) victory, East Fremantle moves two games clear of West Perth now in fourth position.

It's far from time to panic for the Falcons with nine games of the season still remaining following the bye this week ahead of next Tuesday night's Foxtel Cup semi-final against Tasmania's Western Storm.

However, West Perth will need to bounce back following that when travelling to Fremantle Oval to take on South Fremantle on Sunday June 29.

West Perth had the better of East Fremantle in the first half leading by a point at quarter-time and then by as much as 19 points during the second term before being up by 13 points at the main break.

The Falcons then managed to open up a game-high 20-point advantage during the third quarter, but from that point on the Sharks kicked nine of the last 13 goals of the game to record the crucial nine-point victory.

West Perth came into the game without key players Chris Keunen, Matt Guadagnin, Marcus Adams and Andrew Krakouer, but that also presented opportunities for others.

Emerging ruckman Seva Martin again had the chance to carry the ruck in the absence of Keunen and he showed good signs up against both Rob Young and James Bristow with 42 hit outs, eight possessions and five strong marks.

Andrew Strijk was again terrific across half-back setting up play for the Falcons with another 24 possessions, seven marks and four entries inside-50.

Shane Nelson racked up another 33 possessions in the middle while Aaron Black again worked tirelessly for 25 disposals while also taking eight marks and kicking two goals.

Jordan Jones finished with 27 disposals mostly out of defence with Rohan Kerr finishing the match with 23 touches, Jay van Berlo 22, the returning and helmeted Ray Bartholomew 18 and Kody Manning 18 to go with five marks, four tackles and four inside-50 entries.

Steven Browne, Matt Johnson, Anthony Tsalikis and Nick Rodda all kicked two goals apiece for the Falcons while co-captain Luke Tedesco was tremendous in defence keeping Ryan Lester-Smith goalless after he had kicked seven goals in East Fremantle's past two games.

After East Fremantle kicked the first goal of the game, West Perth levelled things up through the returning Johnson who was playing his first league game since Round 2 even though he did make a Foxtel Cup appearance along the way at Etihad Stadium.

The Falcons then opened up a six-point advantage when Black pulled off a mercurial snap from the boundary line in the pocket and co-captain van Berlo also kicked a goal through a 50m penalty, but West Perth was just clinging to a one-point quarter-time advantage.

Young left-footer Johnson then added his second of the game to opening the second quarter and soon after West Perth was up by 13 points when Rodda kicked his first as well.

Manzone and Black then added two more goals as the Falcons made a blistering start to the second quarter and led by 19 points, but East Fremantle was within 13 at the main break.

West Perth again kicked the opening goal of the second half and led by a game-high 20 points when Browne kicked truly with a clever snap after he broke an East Fremantle defender's tackle.

East Fremantle was able to steady, though, despite West Perth kicking two more goals for the quarter through Rodda and Browne saw the scores tied at three quarter-time.

Tsalikis then bobbed up for his first goal of the day to start the final term to put West Perth back in front but by the time he kicked his second almost 20 minutes later it was only to bring the Falcons back to within nine points which is where they stayed.

West Perth's reserves recorded a thumping 16.13 (109) to 4.5 (29) win over East Fremantle with Corey Chalmers outstanding booting six goals from 24 possessions and nine marks.

Broderick Walton, Matt Fowler and Brayden Antonio also kicked two goals apiece for West Perth while Aidan Lynch racked up 40 possessions, Ben O'Regan 28, Antonio 25, Ben McNamara 23, James Embley 22 and Luke Meadows 19.

West Perth's colts were also victorious beating East Fremantle 8.12 (60) to 6.5 (41) with Tyson Moulton and James Sheehan-Nel kicking three goals apiece, and Clinton Hinchcliffe racking up 28 possessions, William Michell 26 and Kaidyn Fullgrabe 20.

WEST PERTH 3.1 7.2 10.8 12.8 (80)

EAST FREMANTLE 3.0 5.1 11.2 14.5 (89)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Black, Browne, Tsalikis, Johnson, Rodda 2; van Berlo, Manzone.

Best: Strijk, Black, Nelson, Tedesco, Jones, Bartholomew, Manning, Martin.

EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: Perham, Schofield 3; Peake, Young 2; Dalziell, Chartres, T Bristow, Henson.

Best: Dalziell, Schofield, B O'Brien, R O'Brien, Howlett, Chartres, Stephen.