By Darrell Kent

West Perth overcame Swan Districts in a classic game of football at the Arena on Saturday. In an open game that saw many tight one on one clashes the Falcons finished slightly the better to get over the top of a desperate Swans outfit. The quick movement of the footy and the open forward lines gave supporters of both sides much to enjoy as we got a reminder of the way that football should be played. 

Stand in Captain, Dan Hunt, won the toss for the Falcons and they kicked to the Perth end. At the three minute mark Jay Van Berlo hit Troy Longmuir on the chest with a precise pass. An accurate kick from thirty metres followed. Both sides kicked behinds before promising youngster Ryan Clark passed to Andrew Strijk who kicked his first for the match. Exciting Swans young players Chris Yarran and Tony Notte evened the scores with a goal each. Both players were to prove a handful all day. West Perth led by a point at the fifteen minute mark thanks to a Jay Van Berlo behind but West Perth defensive errors let Swans in for the next two goals and they opened up an eleven point lead. Big man Chris Keunen came off injured at this stage and it was left to Brayden Duckworth to lead the ruck until his return after half time. Chris suffered a broken nose. For the next eight minutes both sides kicked behinds before an inside fifty by Clayton Lasscock saw Jai Menegola kick his first. The Falcons regained the lead when Ryan Clark took the ball out of the middle and Brent Lecras kicked the first of his four for the match. A goal and a behind to Tony Notte to finish the term saw Swans take a six point lead into the first change. Scores were 4.3 (27) to 5.3 (33).

The arm wrestle continued in the second term and Swans were first on the board with Chris Yarran's second. For the next eight minutes West Perth kicked three points to one before Josh Pearce kicked a major after some great forward line persistence. Swans kicked a behind before Josh Pearce was again involved with a pass to Troy Longmuir who finished for his second. The one point lead was short lived, however, as a behind and goal to Swans saw them lead by six at the twenty six minute mark. Troy Longmuir and Brent Lecras then combined to see "Lackers" kick his second. This tied up the scores but a behind to Matt Gaudagnin and a major to Swans Tim Geappen saw the "Wood Ducks" take a five point lead into the main change. They led 8.7 (55) to 7.8 (50).

Swans took the lead out to the biggest of the match, seventeen, with the first two goals of the third term. They included Chris Yarran's third at the three minute mark. West Perth responded to the challenge with a behind to Callum Chambers and Troy Longmuir's third. When Brayden Duckworth intercepted a Swans pass and kicked a major the lead was back to four after twelve minutes. The sides traded behinds until a second goal to Tim Geappen took the lead back out to nine. A West Perth reply came less than a minute later when Brent Lecras ran onto a kick out of the middle by Ryan Clark to kick his third but the trend of quick replies that had been part of the game all day was repeated when Swans returned the favour with a goal from the bounce down. The lead was back out to nine but then Andrew Strijk produced the play of the day when he took a crooked bounce out of the centre, had three bounces and kicked a great goal. He was in everything in the third term and was instrumental in keeping West Perth in the game. Swans now enjoyed only a three point advantage but the centre clearance was again to prove decisive as Swans won it and Chris Yarran kicked his fourth. A rushed behind to Swans took the lead out to ten but a great left foot snap by Callum Chambers narrowed the margin to four at the final break. It was an exciting term of football with both sides moving the ball quickly and using it very well. Swans led 13.9 (87) to 12.11 (83).

Tom Crossland regained the lead for West Perth with a goal in the first minute. A long kick from Clayton Lasscock then went behind to take the lead out to three. Troy Longmuir took the lead out to nine with his fourth when he was on the end of some good work from Josh Pearce. But once again Swans bounced back with consecutive goals to give them a three point lead after ten. A behind to Chris Keunen narrowed the margin but a four point lead was restored with Brent Lecras's fourth. The pattern of the game continued, however, when Swans took it out of the middle and regained the lead. Brent Lecras and Craig Smoker were involved in an assist then saw Andrew Strijk kick his third. A behind and Jai Menegola's second from a pressure set shot forty five metres gave the Falcons an eleven point lead at the twenty one minute mark. Supporters were almost entitled to think that West Perth had done enough but this was not to be the case. Swans kicked two goals to take a one point lead at the twenty five minute mark. At the twenty nine minute mark the scores were even after a rushed behind but then Clayton Lasscock stepped up. The former skipper had been a driving force all day but his interception of a Swans pass and snap from deep in the pocket for the winning goal was inspirational. That was to be the final score for the day and the winning margin. West Perth won 18.15 (123) to 18.9 (117) in a game that was a fitting tribute to what WAFL football is all about.

Best for West Perth was a tight call between Clayton Lasscock and Brent Lecras. "Junior" had twenty six possessions and really stood up when needed. He is playing really good footy. Brent Lecras had twenty two touches and kicked four majors. Both had great games. Andrew Strijk kicked three and has run himself back into good form. Ryan Clarke continues to improve and have an influence in the midfield and Troy Longmuir who has kicked ten one in the last two games was also influential. It was a great team performance in what was a terrific game. Next week the Falcons take on the old enemy at Leederville, be there to support the boys.