Round 11 Rogers Cup Wrap Up

We are starting to get to the pointy end of the season and it where every 4 points counts, when determining who finishes where on the ladder. Our Rogers Cup team headed to Revo Stadium to take on Claremont knowing they were going to throw everything they could to try an upset our run.

One trait this young group of Falcons has shown in all the games to date, is resilience, they have had teams be physical, try to run them off their feet or score quickly, but the composure the team has, they can withstand any of those attacks and then turn the tables and run away with games. This is again what happened and West Perth Rogers Cup team remains on top undefeated in 10 games and hold a three game margin to East Fremantle. Final score West Perth 9.9 (63) to Claremont 5.3 (33)

The game started with Claremont getting the first centre break and taking full advantage driving inside 50, and while the Falcons forced a few turnovers Claremont were able to rebound back in and a few creative handballs and a kick around the corner had them on the scoreboard within the first 2 minute. For the next 14 minutes it was about two teams not willing to allow the other to get a break, until Tarzara Kelly juggled a mark just inside 50 and centred to Jasmine Kolodynski, who got aound the outside of the defenders to straighten up and kick the first for the Falcons and gain the lead just on quarter time.

The second quarter opened very quickly with Claremont again winning and taking advantage of the first centre clearance and scored their second goal within 30 secs, but just as quickly the Falcons rebounded the next attack from insie Claremont’s 50, with a long kick from Chloe Shearing to hit Tarzara just forward of centre, then turned and played on to kick to Jekylah Garlett who was running back inside 50 to hold the mark, JK’s kick went over the back into the goal square and the opportunist Elissa Price soccered off the ground for her first and put the Falcons back in front. The quarter was far more open and with that the Falcons started to assert more pressure, which was evident when ruck Sarah Henderson laid a strong tackle and created a turnover, then a Megan Norbury mark on the wing also repelled a Claremont defensive kick, that resulted in another inside 50 and when there it’s Elissa Price territory and she converted for her second. Just when it looked like West Perth were gaining the ascendency Claremont managed to two quick goals and grab the lead back. Holly Morris’ move into the midfield as an onballer rather than ruck was proving beneficial, especially teaming up with the strength of Kayla van den Heever, both created good clearance and with Jasmine Kolodynski getting back to her best returned the Falcons to the lead with her second of the day. The quarter finished with a Claremont turnover caused by a great Tayla Anthony tackle, who found Amber Rundle on the lead, who in kicked to Elissa Price in the goal square and converted for her third of the quarter and gave West Perth a 12 point buffer 5.6 (36) to 4.0 (24)

The third was controlled by the Falcons, which began with a Chloe Shearing long shot from 35 mtrs out. Ebony Jackson was moved on to the dangerous Emily Elkington and eliminated any influence she had, the effort earned her a best on ground. When Caitlyn Thomas roved a loose ball and kicked truly West Perth had opened a more manageable lead of 4 goals. Claremont were only able to score 1 point, with the likes of Karla Stagg, Liliana Grassenis, Claire Norbury and Jessica Roper continually thwarting any chance of a score. West Perth headed into the final quarter 7.9 (51) to Claremont 4.1 (25).
The last quarter opened with a forward drive by West Perth and after a stoppage, just on the edge of the goal square in which Holly Morris won the tap allowing Elissa Price to again grab a quick snap for her fourth and then later finishing with a handful, that earned her the coach’s respect and award.

With 4 games left our Falcons head back home to Provident Financial Oval to play Swans in the rescheduled ‘lockdown’ Round 9 game and a chance to keep the unbeaten 2021 season rolling along