VICTORY SECURES SECOND SPOT

WEST Perth once again showed its ability to dig deep and run out matches at Fremantle Oval on Saturday. The Falcons were challenged all day by South Fremantle who snatched the lead early in the last quarter but to their credit the Falcons dug deep to kick the last four goals of the game to ensure the important victory.

The loss of the in-form Chris Keunen and Aidan Lynch before the game set up a new set of challenges for West Perth but it gave the opportunity for big man Tim Sutherland to play his first league game of football and to his credit he didn’t look out of place. He held his own at the first bounce down but it was Souths who were first on the board courtesy of skipper Ryan Cook.

The first Falcons major went to Michael Lourey who was on the end of a pass by Shane Nelson. His accurate kick was his 33rd major for the year. Both sides battled for dominance during the next 10 minutes but behinds were the order of the day until the 21-minute mark when a long kick forward by key playmaker, Andrew Strijk, enabled Steve Potente to snap from the edge of the square. This gave West Perth an eight-point lead. The lead was short lived as Josh Pullman pulled one back for the Bulldogs. The Falcons’ reply was very quick, however, as a tap out of the middle saw Tyler Keitel take possession and handball to Strijk who finished on the run from 40. Another behind to West Perth followed before Craig White marked just before the siren. His accurate kick after the siren saw West Perth take a three-point lead into the first change; 3.5 (23) to 3.2 (20).

It would be fair to say that the second quarter belonged to Matt Fowler. He had six scoring shots in the first 14 minutes kicking 3.3, the entire West Perth score for the quarter. The only other scoring shot during this time was a second major to Bulldogs skipper Cook. The first of the goals was a snap from the top of the square after a kick forward by Ray Bartholomew, the next was another snap after bursting through a tackle and the third was an accurate kick from 30 metres out after marking on an angle. His six goals in total for the game were the difference between winning and losing. Midway through the term West Perth led by 18 points but from here South Fremantle had the best of it. They only kicked one major, though, to reduce the lead to eight at the main break; 6.8 (44) to 5.6 (36).

The Bulldogs had the best of the third term but didn’t take their chances. They controlled play for the first 20 minutes but only managed to reduce the lead to one during that time. West Perth defended grimly and was rewarded when Rohan Kerr scrambled one from the square into time on. A Corey Chalmers behind saw the lead out to eight before a free and 50m penalty to the Bulldogs' Adam McIntosh saw him reduce the margin to just two. The Falcons response was almost instantaneous as they took the ball out of the centre courtesy of Sutherland and Kody Manning. The kick forward was marked by Fowler in the square. His fourth gave the Falcons back their half-time lead of eight points and this is what they took into the last change. The scores were 8.10 (58) to 7.8 (50).

Within the first five minutes of the final term the Bulldogs had snatched the lead back thanks to majors from James Sellar and Ashton Hams. The challenge was now well and truly at the feet of the Falcons. To their credit they stemmed the scoring until the 10-minute mark when Bartholomew marked 30 out on a sharp angle. He showed his composure to kick the difficult goal and give West Perth back a two-point lead. Shortly after Matt Johnson and Drew Rohde combined to get the ball into the hands of Fowler 20 metres out. His fifth took the lead to eight. At the 19-minute mark Lourey marked 50 metres out and kicked his 34th for the year and the final score for the game was a sixth to Fowler. The Falcons had rallied from an early last quarter deficit to record a hard earned 23-point victory; 12.13 (85) to 9.8 (62).

The victory virtually ensures West Perth second spot on the ladder and a home qualifying final against either Peel or East Perth. The colts recorded another strong victory to ensure a finals appearance while the reserves went down to the top of the ladder Bulldogs. All three grades will play finals football this year and this is a result that the club can be proud of. Best players for the league included Trent Manzone, Steven Browne, Aaron Black, Andrew Strijk, Nick Rodda whose defensive marking was a real game saver and Matt Fowler for his six majors. The final home and away game takes place against Claremont at HBF Arena on Saturday. They must win to play finals and West Perth will be striving to keep their undefeated home game record in place. A must see game.

ARTICLE BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR