FALCONS LOSE TO SWANS IN THRILLER AFTER LEADING ALL DAY

WEST Perth led just about all afternoon until Swan Districts kicked the final two goals to win by two points at Steel Blue Oval and end the Falcons' four-game winning run on Saturday.

West Perth came into the game on the back of wins against South Fremantle, East Perth, Subiaco and Perth to be solid in second position on the WAFL ladder.

The Falcons did come into the clash with Swans without premiership players Matt Guadagnin, Jordan Jones, Rohan Kerr, Luke Tedesco and Andrew Strijk, so the depth was being tested but stood up to the challenge for most of the day at Bassendean.

West Perth kicked the first two goals of the game and maintained an advantage around that margin for most of the afternoon until Swan Districts got the last two goals to end up winning 9.11 (65) to 8.15 (63).

West Perth remains in second position on the WAFL ladder despite the loss ahead of this Saturday's clash with Claremont at HBF Arena.

Michael Lourey kicked two goals or West Perth from 13 possessions and five marks, and only the siren cost him a sixth mark and a chance at kicking the match-winning goal.

Kris Shannon also booted two goals for the Falcons before injuring a hamstring that now looks set to sideline him for up to a month.

Shane Nelson continued his remarkable form this season in the midfield for West Perth racking up another 33 possessions while the man he was runner-up to in last year's Sandover Medal count Aaron Black compiled 26 disposals and 10 marks in his 99th game for the Falcons.

Trent Manzone returned to the league side and worked hard for West Perth racking up 23 possessions while Jay van Berlo had 18 touches to go with six marks, three tackles and three inside-50 entries.

West Perth's back-line again held up well led by young key position players Marcus Adams (17 possessions, eight marks) and Nick Rodda (18 disposals, seven marks). 

West Perth got off to a perfect start with the first goal of the game thanks to young key position player Tyler Keitel, and then at the 16-minute mark Brayden Antonio also kicked truly to put the Falcons two goals in front.

Swans eventually got on the board courtesy of small forward Matthew Jukes, but West Perth hit back not long after through Shannon and the Falcons led by 10 points at the first change.

The black-and-whites did cut West Perth's lead to six points with the opening goal of the second quarter from Rudy Riddoch, but the Falcons responded through Lourey before Swans again closed the deficit firstly through Joel Houghton and then captain Tallan Ames.

That saw the scores level at the 23-minute mark of the second term, but West Perth kicked two quick goals just before the main break courtesy of Lourey and Matt Johnson and the Falcons remained in control of the contest with a 13-point half-time lead.

Swans again kicked the opening two goals of the second half from Tim Geappen and Riddoch with his second, but the Falcons steadied when Shannon kicked his second to still lead by 11 points at that point, and still by nine at three quarter-time time.

Again West Perth retained control with Aidan Lynch's goal at the 12-minute mark of the last term to make the margin again 10 points, but Swan Districts got the last two goals of the game with Riddoch booting his third and Houghton his second to see the home team home by two points.

Swan Districts' reserves also continued their strong recent form beating West Perth at Steel Blue Oval 12.12 (84) to 9.15 (69).

Tyson Moulton and Callum Papertalk kicked two goals apiece for West Perth with Kaidyn Fullgrabe gathering 24 possessions, Clint Hinchcliffe 24, Blake Wilhelm 23, Broderick Walton 21, Dean Munns 20, James Batterham 18 and Corey Chalmers 17to go with nine inside-50 entries and a goal.

Swan Districts opened their day of winning in all three grades at Steel Blue Oval against West Perth with a 14.8 (92) to 6.4 (40) victory in the colts.

Alphonse Charlie kicked two goals from five kicks for West Perth with Josh Rotham gathering 21 possessions, Scott Nelson 21, Conal Lynch 21, Liam Baker 20, Joel Horgan 16 and Ben Mountford 15.

WEST PERTH        3.1    6.6    7.11    8.15    (63)
SWAN DISTRICTS    1.3    4.5    6.8    9.11    (65)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Lourey, Shannon 2; Lynch, Johnson, Antonio, Keitel.
Best: Nelson, Black, Rodda, Adams, Manzone, J van Berlo, Bartholomew.
SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Riddoch 3; Houghton 2; Davis, Geappen, Ames, Jukes.
Best: Riggio, Davis, Turner, Wilson, Riddoch, Notte, Broad.