The value of a quick start was never more evident than in the game against the Perth Demons at EFTEL Oval on Saturday. The three goals that the Falcons kicked in the first five minutes proved to be invaluable. West Perth kicked six for the first quarter but only nine for the game as both defences worked overtime to gain an advantage for their side. There were a number of turnovers in the game but this was due to the terrific pressure applied at both ends of the ground.

Jeff Gobbels has been fantastic in his first 2 games

The Demons kicked to the city end to start the game but it was the Falcons who burst out of the blocks. Chris Keunen passed to Adam Campbell at the two minute mark. "Kiwi" delivered with an accurate kick. Two minutes later a beautiful Brayden Duckworth pass resulted in Troy Longmuir kicking his first before another precise "Ducky" pass hit Adam Campbell who kicked his second. The lead was now out to eighteen. At this point the game tightened up and it stayed that way for the rest of the game. It was the twelve minute mark before the dangerous Kane Ranstead kicked his first. He was to prove a handful for the match. A minute later Andrew Strijk roved the ball from a boundary throw in to snap a clever goal. Troy Longmuir was then on the end of a Robbie Warnock pass to enable him to kick his second. The lead was reduced to eighteen when Kayler-Thompson snapped one for the Demons. Robbie Warnock and Clayton Lasscock then combined out of the middle to get the ball to "Longy" who marked close to goal but unselfishly handballed off to Jeff Gobbels who kicked a major. The lead was twenty four at the seventeen minute mark and at this stage eight straight goals had been kicked, this is significant when you consider that only seventeen were scored for the game. Both sides kicked two behinds in the last thirteen minutes of the quarter and West Perth took a four goal lead into the first change leading 6.2 (38) to 2.2 (14).

Troy Longmuir avoids an oncoming Demon

The game tightened even more in the second quarter with Perth having the better of it. The Demons started with a goal to Ransted and a behind before Chris Keunen kicked the Falcons only goal for the quarter when he was on the end of a Troy Longmuir kick. Troy Cook and Docker, Chris Mayne, really came into their own and provided plenty of midfield drive. They provided plenty of forward opportunities and the Falcon defence fought hard to limit the damage. At half time the lead was reduced to nine points with the Falcons still leading 7.4 (46) to 5.7 (37). Josh Pearce had an outstanding first half collecting twenty one possessions.

Perth continued to run hard in the third term and by the seven minute mark had reduced the lead to two points. Two minutes later Andrew Strijk kicked his second to take the lead back out to eight. Josh Pearce and Brent Lecras were involved in the build up. It was the Falcons first goal for over a quarter and the only one for the term. Both teams continued to defend resolutely but by three quarter time the game was all even; 8.7 (55) to the Falcons and 7.13 (55) to the Demons.

The last quarter was a really tight tussle that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. The sides traded behinds until the seventeen minute mark when a Perth goal took them out to a seven point lead. Once again the battle for supremacy set in and to the Falcons credit they hung tough and when Troy Longmuir received a free kick and scored his third five minutes later it was a one point ball game. Two minutes later "Longy" was felled after kicking the ball forward and the result was a free kick down the ground to Adam Campbell. "Kiwi" was fifteen metres out on an acute angle that did not favour his left foot. The result was a behind that tied the scores. For the next four minutes the Falcons kept the ball locked in their forward line but were unable to force a score. A Perth free kick saw them rush the ball forward and receive a free kick just inside fifty. Perth played on and kicked a behind but the advantage wasn't paid and so the Demon's Daniel Vendetti had to go back and take his kick. The kick was always going to fall short and land in the square but a rushed behind looked inevitable until Adam Campbell launched himself into the pack to take a Leo Barry like mark and save the match. It was a terrific effort. The siren sounded seconds later to signal the first draw of the season. Scores were West Perth 9.11 (65) to Perth 8.17 (65).

It was a tight even contest all day with both sides having the chance to win the game. West Perth showed character to withstand the pressure of a much improved Perth side. Josh Pearce was outstanding for West Perth collecting thirty seven possessions. Other award winners included Jeff Gobbels, Matt Tedesco who was playing his third game, Dion Fleay and Jay Van Berlo. It was a contest in which players really struggled to find space but the Falcons never gave up. The Colts also drew and the Reserves had their third win in a row. Things are starting to come together as West Perth go into the second round. The next two games against Claremont and East Perth, who have only scored two wins each, have become must wins.