Defending premiers Falcons crush Swans

Luke Tedesco. Picture: Lee Griffith/The West Australian.

Defending WAFL premiers West Perth bounced back to form with a vengeance, crushing Swan Districts by 56 points at HBF Arena today.

Four games out of the top four in sixth spot on the ladder and outsiders to qualify for the finals, the Falcons dominated from the outset and ran out convincing 14.9 (93) to 5.7 (37) winners.

The home team increased their lead throughout the contest, ahead by 27 points at the first change, 48 points at half time and 59 points at the last change.

It was in stark contrast to the last time the two clubs clashed, at the same venue, Swans notching a 29-point victory on July 5.

West Perth had winners across all lines with captain Luke Tedesco leading from the front across half-back.

Tedesco had the ball on a string in the first two quarters with key defenders Dan Hunt and Marcus Adams also faring well.

Midfielders Rohan Kerr, Shane Nelson and Aaron Black were capitalising on the strong ruck work of Chris Keunen while regular defender Laine Rasmussen bobbed up in attack with two goals in the first half.

To compound Swans' woes captain Tallan Ames had to be carried from the ground on a stretcher after being knocked out in a tackle late in the second quarter.

The black and whites chances weren't helped by the late withdrawal of experienced defender Justin Simpson due to a quadriceps injury.

Swan Districts remain in third spot on the ladder, facing a massive task to regain form ahead of next Saturday's clash against premiership favourites East Perth in Bunbury.

West Perth leap-frogged Claremont, who had a bye, to grab fifth spot.

The two clubs split the minor grades, Swans taking out the colts by five points to consolidate their spot on top of the ladder and the Falcons bouncing back to win the reserves by 38 points.

Aidan Lynch boosted his chances of a call-up to the league side with an encouraging performance in the early game.

The 19-year-old Edgewater Woodvale added five marks and five tackles to 30 possessions in a dominant effort.


SCOREBOARD

WEST PERTH

4.3

7.7

10.9

14.9

(93)

SWAN DISTRICTS

0.0

0.1

1.4

5.7

(37)

GOALS - WEST PERTH : Shannon 3; Tsalikis, Rasmussen 2; Black, Antonio, Kerr, Guadagnin, Nelson, Bartholomew, Martin. SWAN DISTRICTS: Rogers 2; Blight, Jetta, Cary.
BEST - WEST PERTH : Kerr, Nelson, Black, Tedesco, Keunen, Hunt, Jones. SWAN DISTRICTS: Notte, Blight, Ugle, Rogers, Howard.
INJURIES - SWAN DISTRICTS: Ames (concussion); Simpson (quad) replaced in selected side by Kirkup.
REPORTS: None
UMPIRES: M Worobec, P Pitchers, R McCaw.
CROWD: 1806 at HBF Arena.