Falcons hand Swans finals reality check
West Perth snapped a three-game losing streak which all but ended their finals hopes in emphatic fashion against Swan Districts at HBF Arena on Saturday.
A 29-point loss to Swans at the same venue on July 5 had started the hat-trick of defeats, and the Falcons were also beaten by Subiaco and East Perth either side of a Foxtel Cup grand final loss to VFL team Williamstown.
Starting Saturday's match four games out of the top four in sixth spot and rank outsiders to qualify for next month's finals, the Falcons dominated from the outset and ran out convincing 14.9 (93) to 5.7 (37) winners against third-placed Swans.
Coach Bill Monaghan said West Perth had been rewarded for sticking to a pre-game plan.
"I think we got Swans at a good time," Monaghan said. "Whether they were complacent or had been training hard, I don't know.
"But the players executed our plan that we wanted today. Everyone contributed and we competed well."
Monaghan said he had retained faith in his squad.
"Our season hasn't been as bad as the numbers reflect," he said.
"Early in the season we were playing some decent footy without getting results.
"Our last month has been really tough. That includes games against Swans, Subi, East Perth, Swans and an away trip against Williamstown.
"So we've been through a really difficult phase and at the same time, personnel-wise, we have been as vulnerable as we have been for a while."
Swan Districts didn't look like scoring in the first half - their solitary point in those two quarters was a rushed behind.
Their disappointing loss was further soured with Tim Geappen, Graham Jetta and Matt Rogers being reported and captain Tallan Ames facing a battle to recover from concussion before next Saturday's clash against league leaders East Perth in Bunbury.
Full-back Ames was carried from the ground on a stretcher after being knocked out in a tackle in the final minutes of the second quarter and took no further part in the match.
It continues an unlucky run for Ames who missed two games after he received broken ribs and a punctured lung in the State team's win against a combined NEAFL team in May.
Swans coach Greg Harding backed his team to rebound.
"Our boys have been fantastic in coming back, defying the odds and all those sorts of things," Harding said.
"We weren't able to do it in this game but I've got no doubt, given the quality we have been able to produce this year, that these boys will bounce back from this."
"I've got no doubt … that these boys will bounce back from this.""Swan Districts coach *Greg Harding *
