Match Report – Falcons demolish Eagles on Keitel's sevenSunday, August 15, 2021 - 8:26 PM - by Alex Ventouras

ANOTHER seven-goal Tyler Keitel haul not only saw him lock away another Bernie Naylor Medal but helped West Perth to a percentage-boosting 71-point win over a lacklustre West Coast Eagles at Provident Financial Oval on Sunday.

Not only is the win crucial for the Falcons as they try to finish the season higher than their current fourth place, but the significant margin was crucial as they attempt to try to chase down Claremont in third spot, South Fremantle in second and Subiaco in first.

Given West Perth had won six of seven matches before the bye last weekend and a loss to Subiaco, the result wasn’t so much of a surprise with the Eagles on the bottom of the WAFL ladder.

However, West Coast had won its last two matches and four of the last six before last week's bye, and they still fielded what should have been a strong line-up at Joondalup on Sunday, but West Perth was simply too good from start to finish.

Tyler Keitel was clearly best on ground with a dominant performance up forward with seven goals from 13 kicks and seven marks. That gives him 56 goals for the season to have all but secured a second Bernie Naylor Medal as the league's leading goalkicker.

West Perth's midfield warriors Shane Nelson (41 disposals, three tackles) and Aaron Black (39 disposals, six marks, four tackles) starred in the emphatic 16.10 (106) to 5.5 (35) win as well.

Brayden Ainsworth (30 disposals, 11 marks) and Jarrod Brander (27 disposals, six marks) were the Eagles best on a tough day for West Coast’s midfielders with Hamish Brayshaw working hard for 28 disposals, eight marks and five tackles.

Jake Waterman (12 disposals and a goal) worked hard in the first three quarters before having to head to straight to Optus Stadium ahead of the AFL's Western Derby.

From the opening bounce the Falcons were all over the Eagles dominating clearances and moving the ball with ease into their front half.

West Coast’s forwards were attempting to drag their defenders up the ground to beat West Perth on the counterattack, but the Falcons defence was far too strong and even saw star defender Noah Pegoraro kick just the second goal of his career coming from a 50m penalty.

The Eagles went scoreless in the opening term reflecting the one-way traffic from the Falcons as they took a 24-point quarter-time lead.

The second term was no different from the first as West Perth continued their commanding performance as star forward Keegan Knott hit the scoreboard in the opening minutes with his first major for the game.

The Eagles finally saw their first score coming from a Jake Waterman goal at the 17th minute mark of the quarter and from just their fourth inside-50 for the match. 

However, it was almost immediately replied with a Rudy Riddoch goal that eventually saw West Perth’s half-time lead stretch out to 44 points.

The Eagles were in desperate need to be sparked into life in the second half, but after a promising start Isiah Winder missed the easiest of handballs resulting in a turnover that ended with Tyler Keitel’s third goal, and that spark was nowhere in sight. 

Despite the Falcons possession dominance, they won the tackle count reflecting the lack of pressure coming from West Coast and at times were able to waltz through their defence like a training drill, as they took a 71-point lead at the final break. 

Debutant Koopah Todd snapped a brilliant shot to bring up his first career goal providing the crowd with a highlight in a lacklustre final term.

With consecutive goals for the first time for the day the Eagles managed to breakeven for the quarter as the Falcons finished 71-point victors.

KEITEL LOCKS AWAY BERNIE
Tyler Keitel’s opening goal of the game was his 50th for the season as he extended his lead in the Bernie Naylor Medal race after kicking seven goals for the day. He leads reigning Bernie Naylor Medallist Mason Shaw by 13 now and you’d think the star forward has all but cemented his spot as the leading goal kicker for season 2021 to win a second Bernie Naylor. To go with his seven goals Keitel also finished with 17 disposals and seven marks for the day.

EXPERIENCED EAGLES OBLITTERATED
Winning four of their last six games, the Eagles looked like they could cause some serious headaches against the top sides to finish the season and also potentially leapfrog both Perth and Peel Thunder to avoid a wooden spoon. However, with 11 AFL-listed players on the field, there’s a strong argument this was their most disappointing effort for the season with their eight-game losing streak at the start of the year coming on the back of them being decimated by injuries.

FALCONS IN PREMIERSHIP RACE
A lot of talk has been around the premiership race being a three-horse contest between Subiaco, South Fremantle and Claremont but West Perth are quietly putting together some truly emphatic performances that could take it up to any of the ladder leaders. They beat Claremont in Round 12 and have been competitive with the Bulldogs and Lions during the season but if they can take some of this form into finals, they’ll give themselves every chance to go all the way. A lot will be learned this Saturday when they host the reigning premiers South Fremantle.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 19

WEST PERTH            4.4    7.8    12.8    16.10 (106)
WEST COAST EAGLES        0.0    1.0    1.3    5.5 (35)

WEST PERTH: Goals – Keitel 7; Murray, Riddoch 2; Knott, Peirce, Todd, Pegoraro, Kernutt.
Best – Keitel, Black, Shane Nelson, Hobley, Guadagnin, Murray, Pegoraro, Peirce.
WEST COAST EAGLES: Goals – Waterman, Jones, Brander, Hug, Nitschke.
Best – Brayshaw, Brander, Ainsworth, Rotham, Sears, Winder.