WAFL R8/WAFLW R9 MATCH REPORT

WAFL Round 8 Match Report

Our consistent, persistent and talented colts side made it 5 on the trot with their Derby-day win against the Royals.

Would the weather hold out? No one knew!

What played out was a physical contest with stifled ball movement by both programs’ defence with each teams’ ability to launch off their respective D50-lines a real showcase.

But it as the midfield battle which would decide the outcome and boy did our young Falcons come to play in that department – Judd Marcello with his ever-impressive self, amassing 25 touches, 7 marks AND 10 tackles for the game. He was ably supported by the silky-smooth Cooper Bewick who’s 25 touches and 7 inside 50s a real highlight of our game. The tone, however was set early in the game by our bustling-brute – Sebastian Hewitt who’s 40+ hitouts and follow-up capacity at ground level seeing him receive best-on-ground honours.

Jonah Klemke has taken his game to another level with his elite foot skills and contested ability on display providing the Falcons with some exciting ball movement off half back – He’s finished the game with a shiner’ to prove it, but Jonah’s work rate and impact was second to none.

Unfortunately Q4 saw the Falcons wayward in front of goals dropping to a 56% conversion rate which has left an assured percentage boost behind.

The Falcons left Sullivan Logistics Stadium happy with the result, walking away 37 point winners but more than aware that their best footy is ahead of them. They continue to find ways to improve their game and each-other to play an exciting brand of football which our members can all enjoy.

Colts: East Perth 9.4 (58) def by West Perth 14.11 (95)

We’ll quickly turn the page with a short turnaround into this Saturday’s clash against East Fremantle at home — a huge day as we celebrate Shane Nelson’s 250th game. One of the greats of West Perth, let’s pack the stands and show our support for a true club legend.

WAFLW Round 9 Match Report

The heavens opened up over Sullivan Logistics Stadium for the Falcons’ clashes with the Royals with the WAFLW Competitions very own ‘Derby’ on display across Rogers Cup and League games under lights.

The Rogers Cup program showcased some elite-level talent considering the downpour – Connecting by hand and foot, at times our supporters were shocked at the teams capacity to look so clean out on the park.

We saw 2 debutants take the field, bringing our total for 20 new players for the year in our Rogers Cup program – Cerys English, a 19yo from Karratha who’s cleanliness and hunt on the ball was superb. Followed by in the incomparable Bella Matera – An under-aged talent who plays a brand of competitive football other young, aspiring footballers could only wish to possess.

After a tight-tussle early, it was West Perth Football Club cult-figure Ella Feist who put her foot down and marched the side towards a successful first-half, with a 12 point buffer in place.

Aimee Norbury maintained her width all day with our side changing angles through her to best launch our offence with every opportunity we had.

The Falcons’ ultimately kicked away as the game went on, holding the Royals goalless for Q3 and Q4 – Where down the other end, Quinns Junior Football Club product Amity Spencer kicked 4 snags of her own.

Rogers Cup: East Perth 2.3 (15) def by West Perth 8.4 (52)

The skies didn’t get any clearer for the league game with the water coming down reminding all on-lookers of the infamous Brian Taylor quip – “It’s absolutely pissing down at the G’!”.

Madison Dodd, gun-recruit started the game on fire with a point to prove. Her dominance around the ground was spectacular, finishing with 26 touches and 8 tackles.

It was a night, however, which saw our WAFLW Falcons rue opportunities in front of goal with many a forward entry landing in the same, defensible position of the ground. Were the players going to acknowledge this? Were they going to shift their ball movement to pierce the defences of East Perth? We sure did.

2 young guns (or ‘punks’ as we call them internally) – Hayley Bidefeld continues her ascendency within the competition after kicking 2 miraculous goals on her penetrating left-boot from tight angles – Both of these on the run and through stoppages. Hayley was ably supported by the ‘Ferrari’ – Lexi Strachan who amassed 24 touches (as a 16 year old!) with 6 tackles and 2 goals – A clear best on ground performance by the young ‘punk’.

Our experienced heads continued to showcase their importance with repeat pressure acts, exciting ball movement and the fierce leadership that’s synonymous with the Falcons – Emily Bennett, Taylor Ferguson, Megan Norbury, Kayla van den Heever to name a few – they’re in career best form at a great time of the year.

After keeping the Royals scoreless for the 3rd quarter, and only giving up a goal in the last – The falcons defence stood strong.

We look ahead to R10 in a match-of-the-round fixture between the Falcons and the Bulldogs, down in Fremantle.

A win for the Falcons here could put them 2 games in clear in 4th place on the ladder and puts them closer to the Swans in 3rd place – with a mighty target on their back to chase.

Carn’ Falcons.

WAFLW PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 9

EAST PERTH                                       0.0          1.2          1.2        2.2         (14)

WEST PERTH                                     1.2          3.3          6.4          6.5        (41)

EAST PERTH – Goals: 1 – L Greenwood, N Mcalister

Best: E Sara, S Stack, S Banks, J Verbrugge, J Elisseou

WEST PERTH – Goals: 2 – H Bidefeld, L Strachan 1 – C Metcalf, L Krmpotic,

Best: L Strachan, K Van Den Heever, M Dodd, E Bennett, L Grassenis