WINNING DAY FOR FOR FALCONS

WEST Perth was the only team who qualified all three teams for the WAFL finals in 2015 and after the first round the Falcons still have that record intact.

The colts posted a strong win against East Fremantle, the reserves held off East Perth by three points and the league team easily defeated a depleted Peel. The results speak volumes for the program that is in place and gives Falcons supporters much to look forward to for the rest of this year and the future.

It would be fair to say that the Falcons were slow out of the blocks in the first quarter on Sunday. Peel dominated the first 10 minutes to race to a 14-point lead. The Thunder's use of the football and run was very good. The first, and only, Falcons goal for the term came at the 10-minute mark when Michael Lourey marked 40 metres out and kicked accurately. This reduced the margin to eight but Peel had the best of the rest of the quarter kicking another major and at quarter-time they led by 12; 3.2 (20) to 1.2 (8).

The quarter-time address by senior coach Bill Monaghan was a sight to behold and the players responded kicking eight goals to none. By the seven-minute mark the scores were tied up after majors to Nick Rodda, who kicked four for the game, and Steve Potente. The run and ball movement was very good. Lourey followed up with his 38th of the year after receiving a free 40 metres out and then Rohan Kerr scored from 50. At the 15-minute mark precise use of the footy saw the ball end up in the hands of Tyler Keitel 40 out. He kicked accurately and the lead was out to 18 points in quick time. Co-captain Jay van Berlo then marked just outside 50 and Andrew Strijk’s kicking skills were on display when he nailed it from 60 after receiving a handball. Not to be outdone Ray Bartholomew scored on the run from 50 and the lead was out to 36 points when Kerr kicked his second after marking outside 50. The very good quarter of football had the ball firmly back in the Falcons court. Peel finished the quarter with their only scores for the term, two behinds, and as a result trailed 9.2 (56) to 3.4 (22) at the main break.

West Perth continued to dominate the contest. Peel tried hard but their lack of experience weighed heavily against them. The first goal of the term went to the visitors courtesy of a long goal on the run by Gerald Ugle.  Aaron Black, who is playing very good football, then got himself on the score sheet and this was followed by a third to Lourey. The lead was out to 49 points after a very clever kick by Trent Manzone enabled Matt Fowler to mark and run into an open goal. The final goal for the term came at the 25-minute mark when a long pass by Chris Keunen enabled Rodda to mark 20 out and kick his second. At the final change West Perth had booked their second semi encounter with Subiaco as they led by 55 points; 13.7 (85) to 4.6 (30). 

The final term saw the Falcons pile on the pressure and the goals and they outscored Peel nine goals to one. A number of players got into the action and by the end of the match West Perth had 15 individual goal scorers. Rodda finished with four, Lourey three and Kerr and Fowler kicked two apiece. Matt Johnson, Laine Rasmussen, Marcus Adams and Shane Nelson were just some of the players to finish off their good work with a major. The final siren saw West Perth run out 109-point victors; 22.13 (145) to 5.6 (36).

The league result ended a very good day for the football club with all three teams in action next week. The league will be at Medibank Stadium as will the reserves while the colts will play Peel in Mandurah. The colts coach of the year, Craig Thomas, has his side primed to continue their good run. They have beaten all of the teams above them at some stage. Michael Pratt also has the reserves going well. The players who missed out on a league game are to be commended for the way that they contributed to what was a very good team performance. The reigning premiers are still a chance to retain their crown. Players to receive awards in the reserves included Corey Chalmers, Tim Sutherland, Mitch van Berlo and Blake Wilhelm. Steve Potente had a very good game for the league side. The three players to receive awards were Rohan Kerr, Aaron Black and Drew Rohde. Another big weekend of football coming up; be there to get the boys over the line.

BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR