A SCRAPPY BUT IMPORTANT VICTORY

IT WASN'T a pretty game of football in the blustery conditions at HBF Arena on Saturday but that didn’t detract from the importance of the four points picked up by West Perth over South Fremantle. The win leaves the Falcons one game clear in second spot leading into a clash with league leaders, Subiaco, on Saturday. It is the International Football Festival and should be played in front of a large crowd. The Garlic Munchers Cup will also remain in the hands of the Falcons for another year as the victory gave West Perth its second win in the three years that it has been in place.

The first quarter gave an indication of what was to come for the whole game. At no time did the lead to either side stretch beyond 16 points for the afternoon, and that wasn’t until late in the game, so a term that saw each side kick three goals set the trend. The Falcons started the scoring with a behind before Kody Manning took a strong mark 50 metres out to finish accurately. It was his first of three for the day. A pattern was quickly established with Haiden Schloithe’s first of four tying the game up after nine minutes. A terrific run and carry by Kris Shannon saw Drew Rohde mark strongly 20 out and give the Falcons back the lead before a free to the Bulldogs’ Ashton Hams saw him finish from 40 and tie the scores. As the ball was worked from end to end mistakes were made but it was a tight game of football. Corey Chalmers, once again, showed his composure by marking and finishing from 40 but then a free, and 50m penalty, to Craig White close to goal saw him kick accurately to give the visitors a one point lead going into the first change. It was interesting to note that all of the Souths majors came from free kicks. At quarter-time they led 3.3 (21) to 3.2 (20).

In another dour quarter the first goal came quickly. It went to Matt Johnson who read the ball off hands to finish from the square at the two minute mark. But from here behinds were the order of the day until the 21-minute mark when Chalmers received a free in the square for a push in the back. His second gave West Perth a 12-point lead before Souths hit back with two quick goals to ensure that scores were tied, for the third time, at the main break. Each side had kicked 5.5 (35) to set up an interesting second half.

West Perth clearly had the better of the second half but it wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard. They kicked six behinds in each of the last two quarters to keep the game close. Luke Meadows, who is also a very good finisher, and Manning hit the scoreboard early to give the Falcons a 13-point lead at the six minute mark but as had been the case all day Souths hit back when Schloithe kicked his third to narrow the margin. It was nearly 10 minutes before the next goal and it was a third to Manning who received a free at the top of the square. Two more behinds extended the lead to 15 points before a James Sellar major saw the margin reduced to nine. Once more West Perth piled on the pressure but were only able to kick behinds and as a result they took an 11-point lead into the last term; 8.11 (59) to 7.6 (48).

It was a tense last quarter in which only two goals were kicked. A fourth to Schloithe at the nine minute mark reduced the lead to just six. West Perth attacked relentlessly from here but were only able to kick behinds and at the 15-minute mark they had extended the lead to 11. The game was well and truly still on. The deadlock was finally broken at the 23-minute mark when Steve Potente marked 40 out, on an angle, and finished accurately. This gave the Falcons a game high lead of sixteen and ensured the victory. South Fremantle finished the game with a behind and at the final siren West Perth had recorded a 15-point win; 9.17 (71) to 8.6 (54).

It was an important victory that followed on from a victory to the colts and a loss to the reserves to the top of the ladder South Fremantle. The reserves tried hard all day but just couldn’t get over the line. Players to receive awards included Dean Munns, Brayden Antonio, Brent Fotheringham, Kaidyn Fullgrabe and best was big man, Tim Sutherland. The league had a number of players to choose from but those to be recognised included Marcus Adams, Aaron Black, Jay van Berlo, Aidan Lynch and best was Matt Guadagnin. Luke Tedesco, co-captain with Jay van Berlo, also played a strong game across half back. The International Football Festival game against Subiaco this week is a big day in more ways than one. It showcases West Perth’s commitment to its local community but it is also a must win game against the league leaders, Subiaco, to hold onto second spot in what continues to be a very tight competition. Be there to get the Falcons over the line.

Article by Darrell Kent
Photography by Belinda Taylor