FALCONS LOSE TO SWANS IN NAIDOC ROUND

WEST Perth hosted Swan Districts in NAIDOC Round of the WAFL on Saturday afternoon at HBF Arena but came up short with the black-and-whites recording a 29-point victory.

Over 2300 people attended Joondalup's HBF Arena as the West Perth Football Club celebrated Indigenous culture for NAIDOC Round and both teams looked resplendent in their specially designed jumpers for the occasion.

The Falcons got the first goal of the game through Nick Rodda and then led again just before half-time when Anthony Tsalikis ran into an open goal.

West Perth held a four-point advantage at the main break but Swan Districts kicked the first two goals of the third quarter and then the next five goals of the match either side of three quarter-time to set up the eventual 16.9 (105) to 11.10 (76) victory.

Aaron Black and Shane Nelson were again prolific ball winners all afternoon for West Perth with Black finishing with 35 possessions, 12 marks and a goal, and Nelson 32 disposals and a goal.

Andrew Strijk was terrific off half-back with 22 possessions while Jordan Jones worked hard in the back-line with 22 disposals while limiting the influence of Ryan Davis after half-time.

Experienced key defender Dan Hunt had a strong game particularly in the first half holding Tim Geappen possessionless and Hunt finished the match with 16 possessions and eight marks.

Matt Johnson worked hard across half-forward for the Falcons with 23 possessions, nine inside-50 entries and two goals with Rodda also booting two majors.

Jay van Berlo picked up 21 possessions as well to go with six marks, five inside 50s and a goal with Rohan Kerr gathering 19 disposals and Matt Guadagnin 17 and five tackles.

Rodda got the Falcons off to a perfect start with a goal inside the first minute before Black then intercepted a Swans' kick inside-50 and kicked truly to bring West Perth back within a point.

Johnson then kicked the Falcons' third goal of the quarter but they trailed Swans by 13 points at quarter-time.

Johnson was then able to run into an open goal for his second goal of the day and when van Berlo kicked truly on the run the Falcons were back trailing by just the three points.

Seva Martin had a tough day at full-forward but he had a good moment taking a mark and kicking truly from 50 metres out to again bring West Perth back within two minutes.

A horror mistake then by Swan Districts defenders Tony Notte and Tallan Ames opened the door for Tsalikis to swoop just before half-time to then run into an open goal to give the Falcons a four-point lead at the main break.

Swans came out and kicked the first two goals of the second half before West Perth steadied thanks to Kody Manning to get back within four points.

However, that would be the closest the Falcons would get the rest of the afternoon despite last quarter goals to Rodda, Steven Browne and Nelson.

West Perth's reserves got off to a flying start against Swan Districts at HBF Arena with five goals to one in the opening quarter, but Swans then outscored the Falcons 13 goals to four from that point to end up winning by 23 points.

Brayden Antonio was outstanding for West Perth with 29 possessions and two goals with Aidan Lynch finishing with 26 disposals, Trent Manzone 23, James Embley 22, Kris Shannon 21 and Tim Sutherland 37 hit outs in the ruck.

West Perth's colts also started well leading at quarter-time but ended up losing to Swan Districts by 13 points.
James Sheehan-Nel led the way for the Falcons with 23 possessions and two goals with Ben Mountford contributing 23 touches, Dean Munns 21, Troy Manners 21, William Michell 21 and Clinton Hinchcliffe 20.

WEST PERTH        3.3    7.8    8.9    11.10    (76)
SWAN DISTRICTS    5.4    7.4    12.8    16.8    (105)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Rodda, Johnson 2; Black, Kerr, Tsalikis, Nelson, van Berlo, Manning, Martin.
Best: Strijk, Black, Nelson, Jones, Johnson, van Berlo, Hunt.
SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Davis 5; Geappen 3; Rogers, Jukes, Cary 2; Burnham, Anderson.
Best: Elari, Davis, Simpson, Rogers, Jetta, Boekhorst, Ugle.