FALCONS CAN'T CAPITALISE ON FAST START AGAINST LIONS

WEST Perth dominated the first quarter against Subiaco at Medibank Stadium on Saturday but couldn’t keep it going eventually losing by 17 points despite a best on ground display again by Shane Nelson.

The Falcons were outstanding against the Lions in the twilight fixture at Leederville kicking 4.4 to no score in the opening quarter, but they managed only two more goals the rest of the evening with the Lions running out 9.11 (65) to 6.12 (48) winners.

The result means that West Perth now enters the bye with a 2-2 record after the opening four rounds of the season with losses to top two teams South Fremantle and Subiaco, and wins over Peel Thunder and Perth.

Nelson was the outstanding player of the game right throughout the contest finishing with 43 possessions, made up of 23 kicks and 20 handpasses, to go along with seven tackles, four marks and four entries inside the forward 50.

It continues a stunning start to the 2015 season for the premiership on-baller who has won the last two Breckler Medals as West Perth fairest and best. The 21-year-old is averaging a remarkable 33 disposals a game so far this year.

Michael Lourey kicked two first quarter goals for West Perth as did Andrew Strijk and Luke Meadows. The two goals in the third quarter again with the advantage of the breeze came courtesy of Kody Manning and Matt Fowler.

Chris Keunen had a strong game for West Perth in the ruck as well battling up against three opponents in David Madut, Lachlan Delahunty and Clancy Wheeler.

The premiership ruckman and West Perth life member finished the night with 15 possessions, 42 hit outs and seven entries inside the forward 50.

Strijk also racked up 21 possessions for the Falcons while Aaron Black had it 20 times, Rohan Kerr 20, Aidan Lynch 18, Luke Tedesco 17 and Steven Browne 17.

Co-captain Jay van Berlo worked hard for 16 touches while laying 10 tackles and Meadows battled manfully across half-forward for his 13 disposals, seven tackles, five marks, four inside 50s and a goal.

Debutant Sam Rotham also showed some good signs for West Perth finishing his first league appearance with eight possessions and three marks. 

The West Perth and Subiaco reserves also met on Saturday afternoon in a rematch of the grand final won by the Falcons last year, but this time it was the Lions winning by 19 points.

West Perth started the game in style with five goals to two in the first quarter and then to still lead by 18 points at half-time, but Subiaco then kicked eight goals to two in the second half to end up winning 14.9 (93) to 10.14 (74).

Hayden Yarran was West Perth's best option in attack kicking three goals from 14 possessions while Chris Yarran, Blake Wilhelm and Tim Sutherland all booted two majors apiece.

Corey Chalmers racked up 30 possessions for West Perth to go with eight inside 50s and a goal.

Trent Manzone finished with 29 disposals, Wilhelm 22 to go with his two goals, Ray Bartholomew 20, Broderick Walton 16, Callum Papertalk 15 and Brent Fotheringham 15.

West Perth's colts got the day off to an encouraging start at Leederville holding Subiaco to one first half goal and two for three quarters before ending up winning in commanding fashion 18.7 (115) to 5.3 (33).

Mitch Antonio backed up his seven-goal performance the previous week against Perth with another four goals for the Falcons while Clint Hinchcliffe was best on ground with 30 possessions, six inside 50s, five marks, five tackles and three goals.

Zac Guadagnin also kicked three goals for West Perth with Joel Horgan and Daniel Robertson adding two apiece.

Conal Lynch racked up 27 possessions for the Falcons, Angus Allen 26, Josh Rotham 19, Robertson 19, Troy Manners 18, Mitchell Peirce 18 and Scott Nelson 17.

WEST PERTH            4.4    4.5    6.6    6.12    (48)
SUBIACO            0.0    3.6    8.7    9.11    (65)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Lourey 2; Strijk, Meadows, Fowler, Manning.
Best: Nelson, Keunen, Strijk, J van Berlo, Meadows, Lynch.
SUBIACO – Goals: Garcia, Stevenson 3; Wheeler, Robinson, Delahunty.
Best: Phelan, Delahunty, Stevenson, Robinson, Mahoney, Kitchin, Garcia.