FALCONS WIN GARLIC MUNCHERS CUP, MOVE CLEAR IN SECOND

WEST Perth put in a strong performance in difficult conditions to beat South Fremantle by 15 points at HBF Arena on Saturday to retail the Garlic Munchers Cup and to move a game clear in second position on the WAFL ladder.

West Perth was coming off the bye following a terrific win over Peel Thunder and now the Falcons' 9.17 (71) to 8.8 (56) win over the Bulldogs at HBF Arena sees them improve to a 7-4 record to now be a game clear in second position on the WAFL ladder ahead of the chasing pack.

That sets up a tantalising match up for West Perth on Saturday at HBF Arena against the league-leading reigning premiers Subiaco who currently sit three games clear on top of the ladder.

However, a win for the Falcons would see them enter next week's bye full of momentum and further entrenched in second position, and potentially send a message that the Lions aren’t the invincible force they currently appear to be.

Not only did West Perth's win over South Fremantle consolidate second position on the ladder further, but it also saw the Falcons retain the annual Garlic Munchers Cup by winning.

While Michael Lourey and Tyler Keitel might have gone goalless in attack for West Perth, finding avenues to score wasn’t a problem with the Falcons' mid-size forward again proving dangerous.

Kody Manning was terrific in the first half kicking three goals and then Corey Chalmers chipped in with two while Keitel had his chances opposed to Blayne Wilson, but managed to kick four behinds from his six kicks.

The Falcons' defence was outstanding with Marcus Adams and Nick Rodda playing in the key posts, and keeping the Bulldogs targets James Sellar and Josh Pullman quiet, and keeping them to a combined one goal.

Adams also did well setting up attacks going the other way finishing with 23 possessions and eight marks while Steven Browne and Luke Tedesco also provided strong leadership in the back-line. Browne also had 23 possessions.

Aaron Black worked hard through the middle finishing with 27 possessions for West Perth with Matt Guadagnin outstanding with 24 disposals and six tackles. Andrew Strijk also racked up 24 touches, Shane Nelson 23, Jay van Berlo 22, Aidan Lynch 21 and Kris Shannon 19. 

Chris Keunen also worked hard in a longhand in the ruck finishing with 10 possessions and 38 hit outs.

West Perth got the first goal of the game thanks to Manning but it was goal for goal in the opening quarter with South Fremantle responding shortly after courtesy of Haiden Schloithe.

Drew Rohde got the next goal to put West Perth back in front by a goal after marking strongly and then kicking truly from directly in front.

Ashton Hams kicked truly following another free-kick for South Fremantle to draw scores level again before another goal for the Falcons to Chalmers, and then one for the Bulldogs to Craig White saw the Bulldogs head into quarter-time leading by a point.

West Perth again regained the lead to start the second quarter when Matt Johnson kicked truly after just two minutes and then it took almost another 20 minutes for the next major, and the Falcons became the first team to kick consecutive goals when Chalmers added his second.

That saw the Falcons lead by at that point what was a game high of 12 points but the Bulldogs managed the last two goals of the first half courtesy of Jarrod Parry and Schloithe to see scores once again all tied up at the main break.

West Perth then threatened to break the game open to start the second half with early goals to Luke Meadows and Manning. The Falcons then led by 13 points but the Bulldogs hit back when Schloithe added his third of the game.

Manning's third goal for West Perth again saw the Falcons remain in control of the contest and despite a steadying goal for South Fremantle from Sellar after a strong mark after a good kick coming in from Pullman, the Falcons were working their way into a dominant position.

West Perth dominated the final quarter but only managed to kick six straight behinds and that left the door open for South Fremantle who was able to make the margin only six points when Schloithe nailed his fourth goal at the 10-minute mark.

However, the Falcons continued to dominate everywhere but on the scoreboard before Steve Potente kicked a good goal which proved to be the sealer at the 23-minute mark.

West Perth's reserves fell short despite a competitive showing against the ladder-leading South Fremantle with the Bulldogs ending up winning 14.11 (95) to 10.4 (64).

Callum Papertalk kicked four goals for the Falcons from just five kicks while Brent Fotheringham continued to put his hand up for a league debut at his third WAFL club with another three goals from 17 disposals and seven marks.

Brayden Antonio also kicked two goals for West Perth to go with 26 possessions while Blake Wilhelm racked up 29 disposals, Trent Manzone 29, Broderick Walton 24. Tim Sutherland worked hard in the ruck with 12 touches, five marks and 29 hit outs.

West Perth's colts made a winning start to the day at HBF Arena beating South Fremantle 12.12 (84) to 10.8 (68).

Mitch Antonio and Clint Hinchcliffe kicked three goals each for the Falcons with Hinchcliffe also ending up with 27 possessions, six tackles and five marks as well.

Conal Lynch also picked up 23 disposals for West Perth, Ben Mountford 20, Jacob Turner 16 and Angus Allen 16 to go with kicking two goals.

WEST PERTH            3.2    5.5    8.11    9.17    (71)
SOUTH FREMANTLE        3.3    5.5    7.6    8.8    (56)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Manning 3; Chalmers 2; Potente, Meadows, Johnson, Rohde.
Best: Guadagnin, Browne, Adams, Black, Strijk, van Berlo, Manning.
SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Schloithe 4; Sellar, White, A Hams, Parry.
Best: A Hams, Wilson, Cook, Kelly, Schloithe, Pickett, Dragovich.