Match Report – Keitel's seven keeps Falcons winningSunday, July 25, 2021 - 1:28 AM - by Chris Pike

SEVEN goals from Tyler Keitel has led West Perth to continuing its hot WAFL form with a 24-point win over Peel Thunder at home on Saturday to make it six wins on the trot.

Another standout performance from attack from Keitel as he looks to lock in what would be the second Bernie Naylor Medal as the league leading goalkicker of his career was behind another impressive West Perth performance.

The Falcons brought with them a five-game winning streak into Saturday's clash at Provident Financial Oval while Peel was coming off a narrow loss to Claremont and they needed a win to maintain touch with the top five.

Keitel set the stage for the rest of the game kicking two goals in the first four minutes for West Perth. 

The 117-game big man would kick a third and fourth goal before half-time before adding three more in the third term with West Perth opening up a 49-point advantage which would prove a match-winning edge by three quarter-time.

While West Perth didn’t score more than one behind in the final term and Peel managed to kick the only four goals, the Falcons still prevailed 12.10 (82) to 8.10 (58).

The win makes it six in-a-row for the Falcons who now improve to a 9-4 record on the season to be closing in on a top three position even if coach Geoff Valentine wouldn’t have liked a second goalless final term in the past three weeks.

The loss means that the Thunder have lost six of their past seven matches and while they continue to be competitive, at 4-9 it does appear a forlorn task from here for them to remain in the finals race.

Tyler Keitel was the undoubted star of the day for West Perth with his seven goals to go with 20 possessions and eight marks.

That sees him shoot further clear in the Bernie Naylor Medal race with 47 goals for the season to be 14 ahead of South Fremantle's Mason Shaw who is still to play this weekend against Subiaco on Sunday.

Triple fairest and best winner Shane Nelson was a standout in the midfield for West Perth with 34 possessions while captain Aaron Black racked up another 32 disposals.

Tyson Moulton continued his career-best form for the Falcons with 25 possessions and nine marks while Matthew Lloyd finished with 23 disposals, Tristan Hobley 22, Mitch Peirce 22, Conal Lynch 21 and Dean Munns 18 to go with 10 marks.

West Perth's back-line held up well once again led by Noah Pegoraro with 24 disposals, 12 marks and six tackles while Zac Guadagnin had another 22 touches and 12 marks.

Tyrone Thorne and Jackson Knight ended up kicking two goals apiece for Peel.

Taylin Duman delivered a standout performance down back for Peel Thunder to put his hand up for a Fremantle Dockers AFL recall with 32 possessions and 13 marks. Tobe Watson impressed defensively too with another 22 touches and 10 marks.

Premiership veteran Ben Hancock maintained his career-best form this season with another 30 possessions while Blake Acres finished with 27 disposals for the Thunder, Michael Randall 25, Jackson Merrett 23, James Sturrock 22, Nathan O'Driscoll 19 and Bodie Kitchingman 19.

West Perth has a chance to climb further up the ladder if they can knock off Subiaco next Saturday at Leederville Oval while Peel Thunder is at home to reigning premiers South Fremantle.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 16

WEST PERTH            3.6    8.8    12.9    12.10 (82)
PEEL THUNDER            1.2    3.6    4.8    8.10 (58)

WEST PERTH: Goals – Keitel 7; Knott, Lynch, O'Donnell, Murray, Riddoch.
Best – Keitel, Nelson, Black, Pegoraro, Guadagnin, Moulton, Peirce.
PEEL THUNDER: Goals – Thorne, Knight 2; Lawler, Sturrock, Sears, Brock.
Best – Duman, Hancock, Thorne, Acres, Randall, Watson, Knight.