WAFL R1/WAFLW R2 MATCH REPORT

WAFL League & Reserves Round 1 Match Report

A spirited team effort by the Reserves team, resulting in a convincing 52 point victory against Claremont, our first win against them in the Reserves since 2023. Sandon Page leading the goal scorers with 4 majors, followed by both Byron Sherwood & Lachlan Acres with 3 goals each, some real positive signs from this group for the season ahead.

Matt Galjaardt was given the duty to lead the players as Captain for the day, & lead he did, with a BOG performance & putting pressure on for a call up to the Senior team. Aiden Lynch & his disciples kicked the day off well with a jumper presentation to the players either representing the WPFC for the first time and or playing Reserves for the first time. A further welcome & congratulations to the following players, Banjo Fitch, Kai Dehavilland, John Coleman, Mitch Miller, Peter Young, Amon Ross & Ethan Barbieri.

Proceeding the Reserves game, the league teams from both clubs joined the players on-field to pay our respects & honour two champions of our game, Bill Dempsey & Dennis Cometti. Thanks to those behind the scenes for putting together the video tribute, and to the Claremont FC for working with us in the lead up to ensure we honoured both Bill & Dennis accordingly.

Our performance from the League side was disappointing, and not at the expected level across the park. Paul Sanzone & the coaching group will go to work & leave no stone unturned to ensure we bounce back against West Coast, this Sunday at Mineral Resources Park. Whist it was a disappointing day, we congratulate the following players who debut for the WPFC, Jonah Brooks, Chad Mulvogue, Menno Inverarity & Coen Livingstone.

Written by Clint Rudd (Head of Senior Men’s Football)

City of Joondalup WAFLW Round 2 Match Report

A thrilling Good Friday clash saw West Perth Falcons fall just short against Claremont Tigers, 10.4 (64) to 10.6 (66), in Round 2 at HIF Health Insurance Oval, a result that etched itself into the record books as the highest scoring loss in WAFLW history. Great to see Kaitlyn Roper back in the team, 643 days since her last WAFLW game when she ruptured her ACL.  We also saw the Bennett sisters (Emily and Katherine) back in action together for the first time since Finals Week 2 of 2024 vs Claremont.

West Perth came out with intent, matching Claremont in the opening term before the Tigers gained ascendancy in the second quarter. The Falcons showed resilience after halftime, working their way back into the contest to set up a nail-biting final quarter, with the game decided by just two points.

It was a memorable day for debutants Miley Hynes and Sienna Pollard. Hynes made her mark early, kicking her first senior goal in a standout debut moment.

On the scoreboard, Zoe Huggett led the way with four goals, providing a strong target up forward. Ellee McEvoy and Lunay Van Den Heever each contributed two goals, while Miley Hynes and Sara Riou added one apiece to round out the scoring.

Best on ground honours went to Ellee McEvoy, who was instrumental across the four quarters with her work rate and composure. She was well supported by Zoe Huggett, Rikisha Nannup, Sara Riou, and Lunay Van Den Heever. Nannup’s work rate across the midfield was a standout, consistently driving effort around the contest and providing strong two-way running throughout the game.

Despite the narrow loss, West Perth showed strong character and cohesion, taking plenty of positives from a high-pressure Good Friday contest.

Written by Naomi Gianoncelli (Women’s Operations Coordinator)

Delta Lithium Rogers Cup Round 2 Match Report

A tough Good Friday outing for the West Perth Falcons saw them fall to Claremont Tigers, 2.8 (20) to 9.3 (57), in Round 2 at HIF Health Insurance Oval.

West Perth showed strong intent early, holding Claremont to just one point in each of the opening two quarters in a disciplined defensive effort. However, a powerful third quarter from the Tigers, where they piled on 7.2, proved the difference. Despite continuing to compete in the final term and adding scoreboard pressure, the Falcons were unable to bridge the gap.

It was an exciting glimpse into the future for West Perth, with four debutants taking the field. Nevaeh Arthur, Olivia Britten, Crystal Garlett, and Scarlett Zoccali all showed promising signs, each contributing with effort and composure in their first appearances at Rogers Cup level.

Leading the way was MVP Isabel Sievewright, who was outstanding across the ground. Her ability to impact through the midfield and around the contest highlighted her as the standout performer.

West Perth had several strong contributors across the day. Ella Molloy-Broughton was composed and reliable through the backline, consistently halting Claremont’s forward entries. Mia Smith worked tirelessly through the midfield, while Scarlett Zoccali impressed in her debut with her presence and work rate around the contest. Nevaeh Arthur competed strongly in the ruck, providing a solid contest throughout the day, and Sievewright’s influence continued to shine across all areas of the ground.

While the scoreboard didn’t reflect the effort, there were clear positives for the Falcons, particularly in the development of their young group and their ability to compete early against a strong Claremont outfit.

Futures Round 5 Match Report

A tale of two halves was on display for the falcons, with our Futures lads’ starting slowly in humid-morning hit-out against the Tigers.

A few early chances went begging with the tigers’ transition work a highlight which put our defensive unit under pressure. It was a late miraculous goal by Chase Kennedy that sparked the fightback.

The third quarter saw the Falcons’ pile on 5 goals to Claremont’s’ 2 which meant we wee only trailing by 10 points heading into the last.

A spirited, team effort and some exciting ball movement led the way for a supremely exciting finish, with the Falcons hitting the front with a buzzer-beater goal to Jonah Smallman, our Vice Captain who’s veins are ice-cool!

The crowd were in raptures – The coaches box too. A come from behind win full of spirit and heart – It truly was beating red & blue on Saturday morning!

Apex Concrete WA MVP and Best on Ground – Andrew Aubrey.

Josh Oldroyd and Jonah Smallman with 2 goals each, and Ben Coates, Chae Kennedy, Owen Bowes, Fletcher McLean, Deacon Seumanu, Charlie Lihou and Jed McGuane all hitting the scoreboard with a goal each too.

Special shoutout to Fletcher McLean, for playing his first competitive game of football in over 550 days, rehabbing dual-hip surgeries.

Next game is in Bunbury, against the South West program this Thursday.

Go Cardies!

Final score – WP 11.12 (78) def C 11.7 (73)

Written by Luke Richardson (General Manager | Performance Pathways & Participation)

Marlee Resources Colts Round 1 Match Report

Plenty of external noise heading into this blockbuster game under lights with Claremont the heavy favourites not only in the match, but the flag (already) for season 2026.

Many pundits had the Falcons lads written off but with pride in the jumper and with the fight of a falcon, we challenged them every step of the way.

It was an incredibly fast-paced match with both sides’ backlines holding firm on some furious and fast entries. It was the Falcons’ ability to ‘shotgun’ from defensive 50 with exciting handball chains breaking the tigers’ apart through the middle of the ground.

Maxim Collins and Tadhg Barrowclough were all class behind the ball with 13 intercept marks between them; really setting the tone for their team mates to follow.

After trailing by a point at half time and with scores level at the final break, the atmosphere at HIF Health Insurance Fund Oval was electric.

Ultimately, it was the Tigers’ midfield that provided ascendancy in the last, pushing the Tigers’ towards the narrowest of victories – 7 points.

The Falcons hold their heads high with a valiant effort showcasing the very best of the talent pathway and the future of the West Perth Football Club.

Savvy Stump Grinding & Tree Services MVP (Best on Ground) – Maxim Collins.

Campbell Creyk the only multiple goal scorer, with Zarran Dwyer, Koby Lecras, Harvey Spawton-Guy, Sam Gliddon, Hunter Bewick also hitting the scoreboard once each.

HUGE shoutout to the 13 debutants who took the field for the first time in the Red & Blue – The Zarran Dwyer, Sam Gliddon, Max Brabdury, Dylan O’Lone, Maxim Collins, Taj Swewll, Flynn McGuane, Zachary French, Seth Ivankovich, Ethan Andrich, Harrison Wain, Cruz Braddock and Xavier Zuchetti.

Special mention to Max Bradbury, returning to the field for the first time in 2 seasons after suffering a sever knee injury in his State 16s year – Welcome back Maxxy!

Final score – WP 7.7 (49) def by C 8.8 (56)

Written by Luke Richardson (General Manager | Performance Pathways & Participation)