SLICK FALCONS HUNT DOWN DEMONS

WEST Perth farewelled two of its favourite sons in emphatic style at Lathlain Park on Saturday. The Falcons overcame early resistance from Perth to run out 82-point winners and finish the careers of Dan Hunt and Anthony Tsalikis with a well-deserved victory.

Both players kicked four goals with 'Slick' moving into third spot in the highest goal scorer list with 336 majors and Hunt increasing his tally to six for his career. The move up forward was enjoyed by all but his loss as the key back will be sorely felt.

Congratulations to Cameron Branch who played his 150th game for the club, a mixture of league and reserves. He has been a terrific club man during his time at West Perth. The only down side on a day that saw all three sides record a victory was the inability of Chris Keunen to play his 150th game and receive life membership due to a debilitating migraine. We look forward to him achieving this next year.

Perth stormed out of the blocks and kicked the first two goals of the game. It wasn’t until the nine-minute mark that the Falcons hit the scoreboard and it was the first of three goals to Steve Potente. He marked 30 metres out and converted. Shortly after Callum Collard kicked the first of his three for the game to take the lead back out to 12 points for Perth. But from here, and the rest of the game it was all West Perth. They kicked the last four goals of the quarter to take a 16-point lead into the first change. Marcus Adams kicked two in a row and at the 16-minute mark West Perth led by one, a lead that they didn’t relinquish. A run of behinds followed before Potente kicked his second and then the goal that everyone had been waiting for occurred. Tsalikis received a free-kick 20 metres out, on an angle. His straight kick was his 333rd goal taking him past Falcon great, Les Fong, in the all-time goal kicking list. It was a fitting end to the first term and gave West Perth a 16-point lead; 5.5 (35) to 3.1 (19).

The second quarter was an even one with Perth, once again, beginning best and kicking the first two. The lead was back to four after 10 minutes. Then the fascinating move of the game occurred and Hunt went forward. He didn’t have an immediate impact but fans followed his every move with interest. As in the first quarter Perth were unable to sustain their early efforts and the Falcons took control. Seva Martin received a free, 50 out and kicked accurately and Potente kicked his third from the square after a Jay van Berlo assist. Shortly after a Dan Hunt long kick from 50 was touched just before the goal line. As was the case in the first quarter 'Slick' finished the quarter with his second goal and at the main break West Perth had extended their lead to 24 points; 8.9 (57) to 5.3 (33).

Perth kicked three of the first four goals in the second half to reduce the margin to 11 points at the midway point. Two of the Perth goals went to Callum Collard and the Falcons major was a third to Adams. But the pattern of previous quarters continued with West Perth piling on five goals to finish the term. A handball from Tsalikis, who had done a great job to take possession while on his knees, to Laine Rasmussen began the run. Steven Browne got into the action with a goal from 30,  Tsalikis kicked his third, Adams his fourth and the run was completed by Matt Guadagnin who scored from a throw in. At the final change the lead was out to 45 points; 14.13 (97) to 8.4 (52).

The fourth quarter was the Hunt and Tsalikis show as West Perth players looked to put the ball into their hands at every opportunity. At the six-minute mark Potente passed to Hunt 40 out and the goal that everyone had been waiting for occurred. This was to be the first of four for the quarter. The lead was now 51 points. Jay van Berlo got his name on the score sheet shortly after before Perth kicked their only goal for the quarter. This reduced the margin to 52 but it was also the start of a five goal Falcon run. Hunt’s second was a left foot snap after taking the ball off hands and then Tsalikis had a score assist when he got the ball into the hands of Martin who kicked his second. 'Slick' scored a behind before he kicked his fourth after marking 40 out. The last two goals of the game went to Hunt and brought a happy ending to what has been a disappointing season. On both occasions he marked about 30 out and split the middle. At the final siren West Perth had run out 82-point winners; 21.18 (144) to 9.8 (62).

Both retiring players were chaired off at the end of the game and the win was a deserved way for the players to complete their careers. In the room afterwards both players addressed their teammates and supporters and received warm applause. Senior coach, Bill Monaghan, let everyone enjoy the moment but did mention that overall the season had been a disappointing one and that improvement was needed next year. West Perth certainly has the young players coming through for this to occur. Best players for the league included Shane Nelson, who had 52 touches, Aaron Black, Rohan Kerr, Matt Guadagnin and, not just for sentimental reasons, Anthony Tsalikis and Dan Hunt. The reserves go into the second semi-final against Subiaco next Sunday. Eleven players will need to come into the team that comfortably beat Perth. Be there to support the boys as the reserves strive to end the 54-year premiership drought.