The West Perth Falcons broke the game open after halftime, dominating the WAFL Eagles in a 17.10 (112) to 8.7 (55) triumph, in what was difficult conditions at HIF Insurance Oval on Saturday.
Unlike the weather, the game started hot, with young Eagles forward Jack Williams booting two of his four goals for the day, while Coen Livingstone’s back-to-back majors kept the Eagles close.
Aaron Black opened the scoring for the Falcons, followed by a dominant three-goal display from Tyler Keitel, who went on to finish with six goals for the day.
While the Eagles remained in the contest early, Michael Mallard scored off the back of an impressive Falcons play to give the home side a 13-point buffer at the first break.
The intensity went up a notch in the second term as the rain began to pour, with slippery conditions making it challenging for both sides, with the goals coming to a halt.
The Eagles had some late chances but couldn’t capitalise, while West Perth dominated possession and won the territory battle with three goals to one, securing a 26-point lead going into half time.
West Perth seized momentum in the third term, showcasing their experience in the wet to break the game open.
Much needed goals from Williams and Jack Walsh stopped a little bleeding for the Eagles, but the Falcons began to kick away as Keegan Knott and Josh Hinder both slotted their second goals for the match, as West Perth continued to surge.
The Falcons took full advantage of the younger West Coast side and went into the final term with a 59-point lead, crushing the third term with seven goals to two.
It was a slow start to the final quarter with both teams struggling to score as the wintery conditions continued.
West Perth finally broke the deadlock 23 minutes into the fourth, with Jack DeMarte slotting the only goal for the term, well and truly sealing the match for the Falcons.
Keitel could not be controlled in the Falcon’s forward fifty, finishing with six goals, five marks and 12 disposals, with Shane Nelson managing a game high 34 disposals.
While the Eagles fell short on the scoreboard, Williams impressed with his four goals, while Harley Sparks made an impact with 27 disposals and five marks, and Lucca Grego, Hamish Davis and Thomas Edwards-Baldwin all worked hard.
The loss leaves West Coast with plenty to work on as they prepare to take on Swan Districts next Saturday at Steel Blue Oval.
WEST PERTH 6.1 9.4 16.7 17.10 (112)
WEST COAST 4.0 5.1 7.2 8.7 (55)
Goals
West Perth: Keitel (6), Hinder (3), Knott (2), Black, Lynch, Mallard, Rigoll, Dixon, DeMarte. West Coast: Williams (4), Livingstone (2), Walsh.
Best
West Perth: Nelson, Keitel, Rigoll, Hinder, Bevan, Guadagnin. West Coast: Sparks, Williams, Livingstone, Davis, Edwards-Baldwin, Grego
