FALCONS IN STUNNING FIGHTBACK

IT IS hard to describe the change that came over the game at HBF Arena on Saturday. At the 21-minute mark of the third quarter East Perth led by 42 points and a sense of gloom had settled over the grandstand. But 45 minutes later when the final siren went West Perth had recorded a 38-point victory and the mood amongst supporters was much more upbeat, to say the least. It was an 80-point turnaround on the back of the Falcons kicking the last 12 goals of the game. I don’t doubt that coach Bill Monaghan would love to be able to bottle that period of play to use when needed. It was a great win.

West Perth dominated the first quarter but as has been the case on a number of occasions this year they were unable to take advantage of it. Their first four scoring shots were behinds before a great individual effort by Kris Shannon set up Michael Lourey’s first goal after he marked 20 metres out. East Perth had their first inside-50 at the 11-minute mark and scored a behind. The game settled into a battle of defences before Jay van Berlo kicked West Perth’s second at the 25-minute mark. This gave the Falcons a 15-point lead but this did not reflect reward for effort. East Perths' Scott Lycett and Mitch Howlett kicked one each late in the quarter to reduce the margin to just three pionts at the first change. West Perth led 2.5 (17) to 2.2 (14).

The Royals stamped their authority on the game in the second quarter kicking five goals to two. By the 13-minute mark they had kicked four goals and opened up a 22-point lead. This was a run of six including the last two in the first quarter. Jay van Berlo broke this run with his second and at the 20-minute mark Lourey took a strong pack mark to kick his second. At this point in time they were the only goal scorers for West Perth with two each and the margin had been reduced to 10. East Perth captain, Craig Wulff, finished the quarter with one for his side and at the main break the visitors led by 15 points; 7.4 (46) to 4.7 (31).

The Royals continued to control the game in the third quarter and kicked the first three to take the lead out to 34 points. Shannon kicked his first after showing great pace to break free and finish accurately but from here East Perth took control again and when Shayne Hille kicked his second at the 18-minute mark the lead was 41. No one could ever have imagined that this would be their last major for the day. A behind shortly after took the lead out to a match high 42 points and to have any chance the Falcons had to reduce the margin before the final change. They did this courtesy of a fine goal from Andrew Strijk and a goal right on the siren to Kody Manning. This reduced the margin to 26 points going into the last quarter. This margin was not lost on supporters as it was the same as in the great come-back win against Swans. The scores were 12.7 (79) to 7.11 (53).

During the third quarter Monaghan and his coaching staff made a number of moves that really paid dividends. Lourey went into the middle while Manning, Nick Rodda and Strijk moved forward. They were moves that changed the game. Manning scored his second, one either side of the break, to get the ball rolling. Aaron Black kicked one out of the pack to reduce the margin to 12 points and then a free kick to West Perth completely changed the game. The ball was near the centre when a kick was given to Matt Johnson in the square. His kick reduced the margin to just six but more was to come. He was awarded another kick before the ball was bounced because of high contact. His second goal from the square in a minute had, remarkably, tied up the scores. From this point the Falcons ran riot. Four goals had been kicked by West Perth to this point but there were another six to come. A second to Strijk gave the Falcons the lead. Goals to Aidan Lynch, Rodda and a second to Lynch followed to take the lead out to 25 points. Black kicked his second and Matt Fowler completed the game with his first and the 10th of the quarter to give the Falcons a 38-point victory. It is rare that you see such a turnaround in a game of football. The final scores were West Perth 17.16 (118) to 12.8 (80).

The win has put the Falcons back into the top five. It is always a pleasure to beat East Perth but the nature of the victory will make it even more enjoyable for West Perth supporters. The reserves recorded a comprehensive victory and are coming together as a team. It is a much different combination to that which won the premiership last year and the progress must please new coach, Michael Pratt. Best players included Broderick Walton who defended really well, Joe Morrow who is improving every game since returning from injury, Hayden Yarran who kicked six goals, Corey Chalmers who responded with a top game after coming back from the league and the same can be said for the best player, Trent Manzone. The colts were surprisingly defeated but they have had a very good month of football and they will bounce back. League players to receive awards were Shannon, Jay van Berlo, Steven Browne, Andrew trijk and Shane Nelson was best after racking up 43 possessions. A big game next week at HBF Arena as the Falcons do battle with the Sharks with second spot up for grabs.

ARTICLE BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BELINDA TAYLOR