FALCONS FIND GOING TOUGH

THE conditions were very ordinary at Medibank Stadium on Saturday with the result being a 21-point loss to East Perth. The ground was covered with large pools of water and both teams battled away on the type of surface that is rarely seen at WAFL grounds. Goals were hard to come by and as a result the Falcons' troubles to score goals continued with them being able to only score two for the game.

The first four minutes were a virtual goal fest with each side kicking one. Callum Sinclair kicked one for the Royals after marking 40 metres out; Rohan Kerr tied it up for the Falcons when he did the same. This was to be the Falcons last goal until the six-minute mark of the final quarter. It wasn’t due to lack of effort as they battled hard all day but the rub of the green just didn’t go their way on a number of occasions. East Perth attacked consistently to score three behinds and that looked likely to be the quarter-time margin but at the 28-minute mark Craig Wulff marked 50 out and was gifted a major when he received a 50-metre penalty. As a result East Perth led 2.3 (15) to 1.0 (6) at quarter-time.

As the game progressed the players got muddier and muddier and the numbers became harder to pick up. Both sides attacked the ball and conditions in a committed way and as you would expect there were a number of stoppages. The only goal for the quarter went to Fraser McInnes from East Perth at the 15-minute mark. Three behinds were the only other scores, two of them going to the Falcons. At the main break West Perth trailed by 14 points; 3.4 (22) to 1.2 (8).

The third term was a repeat of the previous two with goals being at a premium. Once again there was only one scored for the quarter and that was at the 15-minute mark. Ex-Falcon Josh Smith marked 30 out and converted. Despite their best efforts the Falcons were unable to trim the half time margin and as a result trailed by 23 points at the final change; 4.8 (32) to 1.3 (9).

The endeavours of the Falcons were finally rewarded at the six-minute mark of the last quarter when Ray Bartholomew received a handball and finished on the run from 30. The margin was reduced to 17 but despite attacking consistently West Perth was unable to make any more inroads. The Royals kicked the last goal of the game late into the quarter to finalise their 21-point victory. Final scores were 5.9 (39) to 2.6 (18).

Defensively the Falcons have been very good this year but their inability to kick goals has hurt them consistently. The conditions were the main contributor to this on Saturday but it must be causing the coaching staff and players, as well as supporters, much angst. Mitch van Berlo and Max Alexander made their WAFL league debuts and didn’t look out of place. Best players included Jordan Jones, Rohan Kerr, Shane Nelson, Aaron Black and Laine Rasmussen. Congratulations to the reserves, who had a comprehensive victory, and to the colts who fought back to achieve a draw. Back to HBF Arena against Swan Districts this week. Finals are out of reach but the tough times are when support is needed the most.