FANTASTIC SEASON REWARDED WITH GRAND FINAL APPEARANCE

The Falcons defeated arch rivals East Perth by twenty nine points on Sunday and in doing so earned their second Grand Final appearance in three years. This is a side that has consistently risen to the challenge throughout the season and Sunday was no exception as they overcame a twenty point quarter time deficit to run out comfortable victors. They now face the daunting, but not insurmountable challenge, of defeating Subiaco at Domain Stadium next week to claim their twentieth premiership.

The Royals had advantage of the breeze in the first quarter and they controlled the term. Aidan Lynch kicked the first score of the game, a behind, but East Perth kicked the first two majors to lead by twelve at the fourteen minute mark. The only Falcon goal for the term came shortly after and it was the first of six to key forward, Mike Lourey. He has been promising a real break out game and he picked a great game for it to occur. He marked thirty out and slotted it to reduce the margin. But from here the Royals once again had the better of it and they scored two more to take a twenty point lead into the first change. They led 4.4 (28) to 1.2 (8) and seemed to have the game under control.

The second quarter was always going to be an important one with West Perth having their use of the breeze. Steve Potente got the ball rolling with a clever snap after taking the ball off the back of the pack from a throw in but the reply came shortly after, from Brant Colledge, to take the lead back out to twenty. This was to be the last Royals goal for the term, though, and West Perth ran hard to kick the last four of the quarter. It took the Falcons a few shots to find their range as they kicked four behinds before they found the major opening. Mat Johnson marked on fifty and finished in his trade mark style to reduce the margin to eleven. Matt injured his hamstring later in the game and won’t play in the Grand Final. This is a devastating blow to the youngster as it is the third year in a row that this type of injury has stopped him from playing in the season decider. He is a player of great talent and his turn will come. This started the run of majors and the next was a second to Mike Lourey. A wonderful tackle by Jay van Berlo turned the ball over in the middle of the ground and this resulted in the mark forty out to Lourey. A third to the big man courtesy of a snap gave the Falcons back the lead and then a skilful left foot snap by Trent Manzone gave the Falcons a six point half time advantage. It was a terrific response by West Perth and set up the game for a great second half. The scores were 6.6 (42) to 5.6 (36).

The third quarter was very tight and competitive with West Perth more than holding their own kicking into the breeze. The first two shots went to East Perth with the second giving them a one point lead. The goal was kicked by youngster Rowen Powell. The lead was then snatched back by the Falcons when Aaron Black scrambled the ball forward to Mike Lourey who kicked his fourth. The lead was short lived, however, as the Royals answered quickly to once again lead by one midway through the term. Kody Manning, whose defensive pressure increased during the day and was a highlight, kicked a magical banana goal from the boundary and when Joe Morrow intercepted an East Perth pass and hit Nic Rodda on the chest forty out the advantage was out to twelve. Joe Morrow continues to develop into a defender of real class. It had been a really good quarter for West Perth up until now but the Royals finished with the last two goals to tie things up going into the last quarter. The scores were 9.8 (62) apiece and a tight last quarter loomed. It had been a very good quarter for West Perth and they were unlucky not to have the lead.

West Perth has played very good last quarters all year and this game was to be no exception. They controlled the term, without putting East Perth away until the second half of the quarter. A terrific intercept and goal by Shane Nelson set the standard for the quarter. A fifth to Mike Lourey after marking forty out was followed by a sixth after some wonderful work by Kody Manning on the wing. The lead was twenty after eighteen minutes. The Falcons continued to pile on the pressure and a second to Nic Rodda and Kody Manning saw West Perth lead by thirty five with only minutes to go. A Grand Final berth was assured. East Perth kicked their only score late in the term to reduce the margin to twenty nine at the final siren. West Perth had prevailed 14.13 (97) to 10.8 (68) and the players fully deserved the rousing reception that they received at the end of the game.

The Falcons have a Grand Final appointment with the Lions next week and this is fitting reward for the consistent season that has been delivered by the League team this year. Injuries to Matt Johnson and Laine Rasmussen are a concern with Matt definitely unable to play. A feature of the team this year has been the way that the younger players have performed when given their opportunity and this will undoubtedly be the case next week. There was a host of really good players but those to receive awards included Joe Morrow, Steve Potente, Mike Lourey, Marcus Adams and Kody Manning. The game that we all hope to be involved in will take place next Sunday at Domain Stadium. Be there to get the boys over the line.

BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BELINDA TAYLOR