RESERVES STORM INTO GRAND FINAL

WEST Perth's reserves continued their tremendous form with a 42-point victory against Perth at Claremont Oval on Sunday.

It was their ninth consecutive win and it set up a grand final against South Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Sunday. It is the first time since 1960 that both the league and reserves teams have played off in the final game of the year and let us hope that history repeats itself as in that year both teams were successful. It was in fact the last reserves premiership that was won by the Falcons.

The victory was a terrific birthday present for coach Paul Sanzone and he must have taken a lot of pleasure out of the way that his side went about securing the win.

Perth was out of the blocks quickly and had kicked two goals within the first two minutes. West Perth got on the score board when Drew Rohde had the first score assist for the Falcons by handballing to Brayden Antonio who scored from 20. The goal of the game came at the 13-minute mark when Ben McNamara had five bounces down the wing and scored from deep in the pocket 30 out.

This tied up the scores and the three players mentioned have a lot to offer West Perth in coming years as like a lot of players in the reserves team they have a touch of class. Perth steadied to have the next three scoring shots and go out to an eight-point lead. This was reduced by six when Rohde scored from 40, on the boundary, after receiving a free and kicking accurately after the siren. Perth led 3.3 (21) to 3.1 (19).

West Perth had the use of the breeze in the second quarter and used it to dominate the term. Two quick behinds tied up the scores before Corey Chalmers kicked his first after a right foot snap. He was a dangerous forward all day finishing with three goals six for the match. Big man Frank Stockley, who dominated in the ruck all day, showed his class when he took possession 50 out and finished accurately. The lead was out to 14 before Joel Leeson scored for Perth. This reduced the margin to eight but the last two goals of the half went to the Falcons. James Batterham was involved when Stockley marked 40 out and kicked his second.

The 21-point half-time lead was achieved seconds before the siren when Stockley and Cameron Branch combined to enable Rohde to soccer his second from the square. At the main break West Perth led 7.6 (48) to 4.3 (27). The Falcons defence limited the Demons to one scoring shot for the quarter.

Perth charged back into the game in the third quarter kicking five straight while the Falcons were inaccurate, kicking 2.5. By the 10-minute mark the Demons had piled on three goals to reduce the margin to five. Shortly after Branch was rewarded for a great tackle, Rohde played on to Michael Mascoulis who finished from the square. The Demons' Reese Richardson narrowed the gap again shortly after but the Falcons received some breathing space after the captain, Branch, kicked his first.

Not to be outdone the Demons scored the last major of the quarter after Sean Holland finished from well outside 50. As a result West Perth took a narrow eight point lead into the final quarter 9.11 (65) to 9.3 (57).

The game was up for grabs in the last quarter but the Falcons dominated to kick five goals five and hold the Demons to just one behind. It was a terrific lead in to the grand final. Chalmers took his tally to three by kicking the first two and Aiden Lynch showed poise to kick his first. This gave West Perth a 28-point lead at the nine-minute mark and ensured a grand final appearance.

Shortly after Antonio kicked his second and Rohde his third to set up the 42-point victory. Final scores were West Perth 14.16 (100) to Perth 9.4 (58).

The reserves have been building momentum in the second half of the year and there has been a lot to like about their performances. This win indicates that they will be going into next week’s game cherry ripe and are poised to break a 53-year premiership drought.

There were a number of best players with Stockley outstanding in the ruck and around the ground, Chalmers was dangerous up forward, Antonio, James Embley and Lynch gave plenty of midfield drive. Throw in the efforts of Joel Latham and Ben McNamara and you have a solid team performance. It is fair to say that next week is a big one for West Perth but regardless of the results it has been an outstanding performance by the senior squad this year. Let’s hope that the 1960 history repeats itself on Sunday. Go Falcons!!

BY DARRELL KENT

PHOTOS BY BELINDAY TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY