FALCONS GO DOWN ON HOG'S BREATH CAFÉ LADIES DAY

WEST Perth lost to East Fremantle at HBF Arena on Saturday on what was Hog's Breath Café Ladies Day for the Falcons' final home match of the 2014 season.

West Perth came into the clash with the fourth-placed East Fremantle full of confidence after a thumping 56-point win over the third-placed Swan Districts the week before while the Sharks had struggled in a 43-point loss to South Fremantle.

The Falcons also needed to win to keep their hopes of playing in the 2014 finals alive with the Sharks' fourth spot still up for grabs, but that is now no longer the case following Saturday's encounter.

In a low-scoring and dour affair despite the perfect weather conditions, East Fremantle ended up winning 9.11 (65) to 7.6 (48) at HBF Arena.

The result means that East Fremantle has now all but secured a finals berth in 2014 while West Perth can't make it meaning the Falcons will be unable to defend the 2013 WAFL premiership.

Despite the disappointment from losing and the fact that it ended any hopes of playing finals, there continues to be some good signs for West Perth in particular the continual improvement and emergence of Brayden Antonio, Luke Meadows, Kris Shannon, Marcus Adams and Mitch van Berlo.

After starting the game in defence again, Adams was moved forward to good effect finishing the game with 19 possessions, five marks and two goals.

Antonio was also a prolific ball winner for the Falcons ending the game with 24 possessions.

Aaron Black (30 possessions, six inside 50s, four tackles), Shane Nelson (28 disposals, seven tackles, five inside 50s) and Rohan Kerr (27 possessions) were once again the leading ball winners for the Falcons as they have been most weeks throughout the 2014 season.

Co-captain Jay van Berlo also gathered 23 possessions on the day while premiership player Steve Potente made a successful return to the league side from a knee injury with 20 possessions, eight marks and five tackles.

Veteran midfielder Matt Guadagnin also finished with 20 possessions while experienced key defender Dan Hunt had 19 disposals and Jordan Jones 18.

West Perth started the game reasonably enough against East Fremantle with an early goal to Ray Bartholomew putting the Falcons in front by a point, but by quarter-time the Sharks had kicked three goals to one to lead by nine points.

East Fremantle then asserted its control on the contest in the second quarter with four goals to two to head into the half-time break with a 24-point advantage. Both West Perth's goals in the second quarter came courtesy of Browne.

West Perth then managed to kick the first two goals of the third quarter through Max Alexander and Marc Crisp to suddenly be right back in the contest.

The Falcons were still in with a chance as well at three quarter-time with a goal just before the siren to Adams bringing them back to within 13 points at the final change.

However, West Perth couldn’t close that gap further with both teams kicking a goal apiece in the final quarter with East Fremantle ending up winning by 17 points.

West Perth's reserves, meanwhile, scored a thumping 17.11 (113) to 10.7 (67) after keeping East Fremantle scoreless in the first quarter and to just two goals for the first half.

Drew Rohde kicked four goals for West Perth to go with 21 possessions with Jesse Kirwen booting three majors, Kaidyn Fullgrabe two and Corey Chalmers two.

Jack Thrum racked up 24 possessions for the Falcons, Trent Manzone 23, Ben McNamara 23, Aidan Lynch 22, James Embley 20 and Stephen Healy 18.

West Perth's colts got the day off to the perfect start at HBF Arena with a 13.11 (89) to 11.6 (72) win over East Fremantle.
Nathan Alexandre kicked three goals for the Falcons, Tyson Moulton two and Conal Lynch.

Dean Munns collected 29 possessions, Clinton Hinchcliffe 24, Ashley Smith 20, William Michell 19 and Josh Rotham 17 to go with 25 hit outs, five marks and four inside-50 entries.
 

WEST PERTH            1.3    3.3    6.5    7.6    (48)
EAST FREMANTLE        3.0    7.3    8.6    9.11    (65)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Browne, Adams 2; Crisp, Bartholomew, Alexander.
Best: Kerr, Antonio, Black, Nelson, Adams, Hunt, Potente.
EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: Peake 5; Williamson 2; Chalwell, Schofield.
Best: McNamara, McGough, R O'Brien, Read, Peake, Howlett, Stephen.