Match Report – Falcons stay hot flying over TigersSaturday, June 26, 2021 - 10:07 PM - by Breanna Redhead

WEST Perth has kept its hot WAFL form going to fly home and knock off the league-leading Claremont by 14 points on Saturday at home at Provident Financial Oval.

The Falcons came into the game having won four of their past five games while Claremont was on its own four-game winning run setting up a tantalising battle between the two teams, and it certainly didn’t disappoint at the Joondalup venue.

West Perth was on top most of the afternoon but Claremont worked their way on top during the fourth quarter before the Falcons kicked again.

Rudy Riddoch was the saviour of the game for the Falcons, snagging two goals in the last term to create a buffer that proved impenetrable for the Tigers.

It was a messy start to the game for both sides as they struggled to convert inside 50, sending the ball back and forth up the field.

While Claremont were quick to take the lead, West Perth were the first to settle into their ball movement, dominating possession and producing three fast goals from gun spearhead Tyler Keitel to give them a 10-point lead at quarter-time.

Despite the Tigers deficit on the scoreboard, ruckman Oliver Eastland owned the hit outs 14 to five against Ben Delaporte.

West Perth’s reign continued into the second term but not without some hard contest from the Tigers. 
Despite the Falcons sitting on a 12-point lead come half-time, the sides sat at an equal 25 inside 50s apiece proving the Tigers were hustling to keep their top spot on the ladder.

Looking to stay on top, the Tigers clawed back in the third quarter, finally settling their ball movement. 

By tidying up their handywork, Alex Manuel managed to score two goals for the side pushing them into the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the match.

Maintaining their fight, the Tigers entered the final quarter with a single point margin over the Falcons.

It was down to the wire in the final term, Bailey Rogers snapping a fast goal to push the Tigers lead to seven followed up by another behind from Tyron Smallwood, giving the side their biggest lead of the day.

The Falcons were quick to fire back, Rudy Riddoch providing an immediate response with a goal, followed by a behind from Keitel to make the scores square.

Riddoch struck again later in the quarter, securing a goal from a free kick to follow on from Keegan Knott’s earlier behind, pushing the Falcons ahead by seven in the final minutes of the game.

The victory was sealed by Dean Munns who kicked a goal 27 minutes in, securing West Perth a 14-point win over Claremont, their second loss of the season.

BOLTON HITS THE CENTURY
Tigers midfielder Jye Bolton marked his 100th game with Claremont. Throughout his time at the club Bolton has become a two-time winner of the Sandover Medal in both 2016 and 2018 along with winning three State Game Simpson Medals, and another Simpson Medal in last year's Grand Final and two Claremont fairest and best awards. He put on a strong performance again with 29 disposals, four marks and two tackles.

MCCAW MAKES 200
The game saw umpire Rob McCaw officiate his 200th match for the league. McCaw joined the WAFL umpiring panel back in 2005 and throughout his 16 years has grown to become one of the most respected umpires in the league by players and other umpires alike.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 12

WEST PERTH            4.1    6.5    7.6    10.10 (70)
CLAREMONT            2.3    4.5    7.7    8.8 (56)

WEST PERTH: Goals – Keitel 3; Riddoch 2; Knott, Munns, O'Donnell, Peirce, Boyes.
Best – Black, Guadagnin, Hobley, Keitel, Murray, Nelson, Munns, Pegoraro.
CLAREMONT: Goals – Rogers 3; Manuel 2; Buller, Barton, Van Rooyen.
Best – Bolton, Eastland, Edwards, J Hardisty, Mountford, Rogers.