It wasn’t pretty but West Perth managed to grind and outwork Subiaco to claim a convincing 60-point point win at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday night.
The Falcons always looked to be in control of the game but were never able to put the resolute Lions for good until the final quarter when they kicked five goals to one.
Unfortunately, the 16.8 (104) to 6.8 (44) victory may have come at a big cost with veteran Shane Nelson looking worse for wear after a contest in the third term.
Nelson played out the game and finished with 28 disposals and a goal, but was in a lot of pain after he ran back with the flight and copped a knee in the right side of his body.
They also lost key defender Jye Skender to a concussion before half-time, ruling him out of Thursday night’s clash against premiership fancies South Fremantle.
It was the Falcons’ prime movers who dominated the game with skipper Luke Meadows (35 disposals) and recruit Roan Steele (26 disposals and a goal) leading the way.
All eyes were on Falcons’ spearhead Tyler Keitel who was causing all sorts of headaches for the Lions’ backline.
The four-time Bernie Naylor medallist kicked two of the visitor’s four first-quarter goals as they raced out to an 18-point lead at the first break.
Keitel would finish with five goals but if he’d kicked straight, it could’ve been a much bigger night for the spearhead in an effort that reflected the team’s.
West Perth lifted the intensity in the second term and dominated the contest, running harder both ways than the Lions.
But they were wasteful in front of goal, managing to kick only one despite having the game on their terms for 15 minutes.
And to rub salt into the wounds, when Lions stand-in skipper Ryan Borchet (three goals) kicked his second the margin was only 19 points.
Borchet’s goal seemed to kick-start the Falcons though, who piled on the pain with three consecutive goals leading into the main break to push the lead out to 34 points.
It looked as if it was going to be one-way traffic, but the Lions came out full of fire, winning two quick centre clearances to kick two goals in two minutes.
Lions midfielders Taj Schofield (24 disposals and five inside 50s) and Liam Hickmott (27 disposals and six tackles) were trying to match the Falcons’ run, while Galen Savigni was excellent down back despite the overwhelming damage.
West Perth were up to the challenge though, with Keitel kicking three final-quarter goals as the Falcons ran away convincing winners.
SCOREBOARD
WEST PERTH 4.2, 8.5, 11.6, 16.8 (104)
SUBIACO 1.2, 2.7, 5.7, 6.8 (44)
Goals – WEST PERTH: T Keitel 5 K Knott 3 J Hinder 2 J Demarte Sh Nelson Z Patterson M Peirce R Sprigg R Steele. SUBIACO: R Borchet 3 R Bartlett R Murison J Snadden.
Best – WEST PERTH: R Steele L Meadows S Rotham T Keitel Sh Nelson B Johnson. SUBIACO: T Schofield L Hickmott G Savigni J Mayo S Giro J Snadden.
Injuries – WEST PERTH: J Skender (concussion) A Black (hamstring) replaced in the selected side by J Gilbee.
Umpires: R Harrison T McPhee D Cox. Crowd: About 1500 at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.
