A VICTORY TO BE PROUD OF

WEST Perth lived up to the occasion at HBF Arena on Saturday with a stirring 10-point victory against the ladder leading Subiaco in front of a massive crowd for the International Football Festival.

Prior to the game more than 70 people became Australian citizens and the pride that was evident amongst this group was reflected in the West Perth performance. The International Day was a huge success with 7389 people attending and the concept is one which the Falcons can justifiably be proud of as it strives to bring a new generation of  West Perth fans to the footy.

The game itself was a very tight and enthralling affair with both sides having periods of ascendancy but at the end of the day the Falcons made the most of their chances to record a victory. The win was even more meritorious when you consider that co-captain Luke Tedesco was out of the game early in the first quarter and Kody Manning followed shortly after. To hang on in the circumstances was a terrific effort as both are key players for West Perth.

Subiaco hit the scoreboard first courtesy of Matt Boland who took a strong mark 40 metres out. West Perth then had the better of it to go to a two-point lead courtesy of a very clever left foot snap by Jay van Berlo. His work around goals this year has added an extra dimension to the Falcons. This was the last time that West Perth were to bother the scorer for the quarter as it was all Subiaco from here and they kicked two more goals to take a 14-point lead into the first change; 3.4 (22) to 1.2 (8).

Subiaco added two more behinds to begin the second quarter before Luke Meadows kicked one for West Perth. He received a free 20 metres out and reduced the margin to 10 points. The lead was further reduced when Matt Fowler scored from 40 on an angle. He was very busy early in his first match since returning from injury. A behind to Subiaco followed before Corey Chalmers marked 40 out and finished accurately. He is another youngster whose calmness under pressure is to be admired. This gave West Perth a one point lead as they held the Lions goalless for the term. The scores were 4.2 (26) to 3.7 (25).

Play opened up more in the third term with West Perth kicking the first major courtesy of a left foot snap from Matt Guadagnin. The Subiaco reply was swift when Boland scored his second. The Lions controlled the next 15 minutes but were only able to kick four behinds and as a result they led by two at the nineteen minute mark. Chris Keunen, who had been having a very influential game with his ruck work, then provided one of the highlights when he palmed the ball down to van Berlo who ran into an open goal for his second. A minute later the lead was out to 10 points when some great work by Chalmers saw Fowler finish with a terrific snap. The Lions hit back through Brett Robinson before Meadows marked 40 out, on the boundary. He once again showed his poise to kick his second and give the Falcons an 11-point three quarter-time lead. No one at the ground would have expected this to be the last goal of the game but it was. The scores were 8.4 (52) to 5.11 (41).

There would have been a lot of soccer enthusiasts at the ground and they witnessed a last quarter that better reflects that game. It was a nil all draw in terms of goals in the last quarter with only seven points being scored. It was an enthralling last quarter with the Lions looking likely to kick the goals needed to give them victory but the West Perth pressure was really good and the large crowd witnessed a finish that went right down to the wire. It seemed inevitable that a goal or two would be scored but it was not to be. The strong defensive marking of Marcus Adams and Nick Rodda saved the Falcons on a number of occasions. Final scores were West Perth 8.7 (55) to Subiaco 5.11 (41).

The victory finished a wonderful day for the Football Club with the colts having a convincing victory on Friday night and the reserves drawing with the second placed Lions. It was an exciting finish to the reserves with the Falcons just going wide with one of the last kicks of the day. Once again the reserves continue to put pressure on players in the league side for places and those to be recognised with awards included Brayden Antonio, Ray Bartholomew, Mitch Peirce and Callum Papertalk. All three sides now sit in the top five. League players to receive awards included Joe Morrow, Aidan Lynch, Marcus Adams, Matt Guadagnin and Chris Keunen. A week off before an uninterrupted eight week run into the finals. A win against the Demons to begin will be essential to consolidate second positio.

ARTICLE BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR