Falcons extend winning run at Lathlain

A spirited fight from Perth in the first three quarters was not enough to see them over the line against West Perth on Saturday afternoon, going down 11.12 (78) to 8.4 (52).

West Perth, who hadn’t lost at Lathlain Park in their previous eleven attempts, kicked four goals to one in the final term to solidify their spot in the top five with a 26-point victory.

In blustery conditions, Perth got off to a good start with the first two goals of the match through key forward Samuel Garstone and Kristian Cary.

West Perth responded with two goals of their own, but Perth were able to hold an eight-point lead at quarter-time.

Callum Walley kicked the first goal of the second term before the West Perth midfield managed to get on top at the stoppages, as the Falcons kicked five goals for the term.

West Perth used the height advantage of Michael Lourey and Seva Mozhaev in the forward line in the quarter, with the latter kicking two goals in as many minutes to put the away side in the lead at the long break.

Perth continued to press in the third and maintained their resilience in defence. The Demons kicked the only goal of the term through Angus Graham from a set shot, but still trailed by three points heading into the final quarter.

Trent Manzone snapped truly early in the final term to get the scoreboard ticking for the away side.

West Perth’s ball use was more polished and their stoppage work was a lot cleaner than their opponents, kicking another three goals for the term to seal their fifth straight victory.

The loss is Perth’s seventh for the season, leaving them in eighth spot above Swan Districts.

Julian Jacobs was one of the most effective players for the Demons with 36 disposals, while Clinton Jones also contributed with 31 alongside Aidan Tropiano (27 including twelve tackles) and Liam McKenna (27 and seven marks).

Perth youngsters Cody Leggett and Lennon Marlin both had bright performances in their side’s loss.

Leggett had the task of trying to curb the influence of 2014 Sandover medallist Aaron Black and made life difficult for the West Perth midfielder, while Marlin’s run off the backline and dash certainly gave Demons supporters a glimpse of the future.

For West Perth, Nicholas Rodda’s efforts in defence to negate the Perth forwards was admirable, finishing with 19 disposals and eight marks.

Major ball winners for the Falcons were Shane Nelson (33 disposals), Rohan Kerr (30 including 12 marks), Andrew Strijk (23 including six inside fifty entries), Aaron Black and Aidan Lynch (22 apiece)

The colts continued their winning form with a 49-point victory earlier in the day, whereas the reserves went down by 77 points.

Perth take on rivals Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval next week on Monday afternoon (WA Day), with bounce down at 2.15pm.

TOTAL

WEST PERTH              2.0       7.2       7.6       11.12 (78)

PERTH                         3.2       6.2       7.3       8.4 (52)

GOALS

WEST PERTH: M Lourey 3, R Kerr 2, S Mozhaev 2, T Manzone 1, M Duffy 1, S Potente 1, T Kietel 1.

PERTH: S Garstone 2, L Dennis 1, C Walley 1, B Wolfenden 1, K Cary 1, A Graham 1, L McKenna 1.

BEST

WEST PERTH: S Nelson, N Rodda, A Strijk, R Kerr, J Morrow, A Lynch

PERTH: C Jones, J Jacobs, L Marlin, A Tropiano, S Garstone, L McKenna

UMPIRES: D Johansen, R McCaw, N Williamson

CROWD: 1700 (approx) at Lathlain Park