NO FALCONS COMEBACK THIS TIME IN WA DAY DERBY

WEST Perth couldn’t put together a third stunning comeback in the last five games with East Perth recording a 48-point victory over the Falcons in the WA Day Derby at Medibank Stadium.

Despite East Perth kicking the opening three goals of the game, West Perth did hit back and end up hitting the lead by quarter-time and again early in the second quarter.

However, East Perth kicked 11 of the last 15 goals of the derby to end up winning 18.11 (119) to 10.11 (71).

West Perth couldn’t find a multiple goalkicker on the afternoon with all 10 of its majors coming courtesy of individual scorers despite Michael Lourey, Marcus Adams and Luke Meadows all having chances at kicking more than one.

Shane Nelson sent a message that he was unlucky to not play in last Saturday's WA State game win over South Australia again being West Perth's best player working tirelessly in the midfield with 36 possessions, five inside 50s and a goal.

Sandover Medallist Aaron Black did play in the State game last week and backed up with a strong showing in the WA Day Derby with 33 disposals and 11 marks.

Matt Guadagnin lifted and played perhaps his best game of the season with the 187-game premiership midfielder collecting 23 disposals, laying eight tackles, driving the ball inside-50 on five occasions and kicking a goal to put the Falcons back in front in the second quarter.

Rohan Kerr worked into the game for West Perth and finished with 22 disposals and a goal while Aidan Lynch picked up 19 touches, Adams 18 in his return game, Steven Browne 18 and Kody Manning 18 to go with five inside 50s and four tackles.

It was always going to be a hot opening to the derby given the fierce rivalry and the recent memory on both sides of what happened three weeks ago at HBF Arena, and it was the Royals who got the jump with the first three goals in the game's opening 12 minutes.

However, West Perth steadied with two quick goals itself courtesy of Nick Rodda and Meadows, and then in response to another East Perth goal to Shayne Hille, the Falcons hit back courtesy of Steve Potente and Matt Johnson to hold a three-point advantage at quarter-time.

The Royals booted the first goal again of the second term but West Perth regained the lead again with a goal to Guadagnin at the nine-minute mark.

The only problem was that would prove to be the last lead that the Falcons would have of the afternoon.

Chris Keunen and Michael Lourey did manage to kick majors before half-time, but East Perth kicked six of the last eight goals heading into the main break to hold a 23-point advantage.

Both teams were fully aware that West Perth was capable of fighting back from any deficit no matter how much East Perth went ahead by, but there would be no stunning comeback on this occasion.

Lynch and Nelson kicked third quarter goals for West Perth to make the margin just 20 points at three quarter-time, but East Perth went on to kick the game's last four goals to end up winning by 48 points.

The WA Day action began with the colts matches and at Medibank Stadium with East Perth beating West Perth 11.7 (73) to 8.11 (59).

Mitch Antonio kicked two goals to go with 19 possessions and seven marks for West Perth with Scott Nelson gathering 20 disposals, Riley Dolman 19, Mitch Walley 19, Tom O'Brien 19, Zac Guadagnin 18, Conal Lynch 18, Troy Manners 17 and Ewan Larmett.

Ruckman Ethan Hills worked hard for 17 touches and 19 hit outs also for the Falcons.

And in the reserves, West Perth won a thriller over East Perth ending up recording the 14.10 (94) to 13.9 (87) victory at Medibank Stadium.

Callum Papertalk kicked three goals for the Falcons with Brayden Antonio, Hayden Yarran, and former Royal Brent Fotheringham all kicking two apiece.

Trent Manzone amassed 25 possessions for West Perth with Antonio finishing with 23 disposals, Ray Bartholomew 17, Corey Chalmers 17 and Fotheringham 16. Tim Sutherland worked hard in the ruck 10 touches and 30 hit outs.

WEST PERTH        4.4    7.5    9.10    10.11    (71)
EAST PERTH        4.1    11.4    13.6    18.11    (119)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Rodda, Meadows, Potente, Johnson, Guadagnin, Keunen, Lourey, Lynch, Nelson, Kerr.
Best: Nelson, Guadagnin, Black, Manning, Adams, Lynch, Rohde.
EAST PERTH – Goals: Lycett 4; Karpany, Wulff, Clutterbuck, Giblett 2; Oakley-Nicholls, Johnson, Lee, Hille, Powell, Fraser.
Best: Clutterbuck, McGinnity, Johnson, Payne, Lycett, Wulff, Blee, Fraser.