WA Football Commission

Classy Falcons outplay brave BulldogsMonday, April 23, 2018 - 8:25 AM

West Perth Falcons versus South Fremantle Bulldogs (April 22 – HBF Arena)

Article: Sandra Argese, Imagery: James Jeffery

Classy Falcons outplay brave Bulldogs

Though mother nature had a few tricks up her sleeve, West Perth had no problems putting on a show in their round three 74-point win over South Fremantle at HBF Arena on Sunday afternoon.

While the result left South Fremantle still searching for their first win of season 2018, West Perth backed up their win over the Angels last weekend in true style – and their confidence certainly showed.

A tight arm wrestle in the opening term, it was contested footy at its best. South Fremantle’s Rebecca Baly had no problems slotting the opening goal of the match, though West Perth’s Chloe Metcalf wasn’t far off with the Falcons’ first major.

With only three points the difference at the first break, West Perth decided to take matters into their own hands.

Just like Perth’s rumbles of thunder the night before, the Falcons unleashed a storm of goals in the second quarter. Tyhara Garlett slotted three majors in a row and the Bulldogs had no answers for her strong marking and accurate conversion rate up forward, while Ellie Hansen and Laura Pugh helped the Falcons to a healthy six goal lead at the main break.

South Fremantle had some soul searching to do at half time and needed to respond, but one never quite arrived.

Igniting a spark in the face of a scoreless second quarter for the Bulldogs, Larissa Bennell broke the drought with a major at the nine minute mark of the third term.

The Bulldogs midfielders were well serviced by Olivia Hunt, who battled hard in the ruck all afternoon. 

Though the Bulldogs fought hard and maintained possession in their forward half of the ground for the majority of the third term, the Falcons’ defensive unit weren’t letting much past them.

Dodging traffic to slot her fourth for the game, Garlett slotted the opening goal of the final term to slam the door shut on a potential Bulldogs comeback.

Hansen sealed the deal even further, slotting her second major by running into an open goal to get the red and blue faithful up and out of their seats. Moments later, Brooke Whyte got in on the action with her first major and Garlett secured best on ground honours with her fifth goal.

Rounding out the sea of goals, Amy Szeliga nailed a set shot to send the Bulldogs packing.

QUARTER BY QUARTER

WEST PERTH 1.4 (10) 6.6 (43) 8.8 (56) 13.12 (90)
SOUTH FREMANTLE 1.1 (7) 1.1 (7) 2.4 (16) 2.4 (16)

GOALKICKERS

WEST PERTH: Tyhara Garlett (5), Chloe Metcalf (2), Ellie Hansen (2), Laura Pugh, Kristen Jayasuria, Brooke Whyte, Amy Szeliga.
SOUTH FREMANTLE: Larissa Bennell, Rebecca Baly.