Falcons sweat on Strijk's shoulder
West Perth are confident Andrew Strijk has escaped major damage after injuring his right shoulder in the Falcons' three-point defeat to East Fremantle on Saturday.
Strijk will have scans today after sustaining the injury late in the game at East Fremantle Oval.
He was taken straight to the change rooms as West Perth kicked six of the final seven goals of the match, only to fall agonisingly short in their fight-back, losing 11.7 (73) to 10.10 (70).
The Falcons are also awaiting the outcome of the WAFL report review panel's analysis of an incident that saw Marc Crisp booked for rough conduct after colliding with East Fremantle youngster Sam Read.
Strijk shared West Perth's club champion award with Shane Nelson last year and is considered a key plank in the Falcons' premiership defence.
West Perth football manager Jamie Ball said the club was confident the former West Coast squad member, who played 13 AFL games in three seasons, would not be out for long.
"After the game, he seemed to think it was more of a stinger if anything," Ball said.
"He was able to move his arm around in the change rooms after the game and was saying it felt heaps better, but we're just going to go down the process of making sure he gets it checked out and everything like that.
"We just need to make sure that we rule out everything. We're confident that it won't be anything too serious and he should be all OK."
The first half was a dour struggle as both sides found it hard to hit targets in blustery conditions, continually turning the ball over.
But East Fremantle were able to take more of their chances and led by 10 points at the main break.
Led by Sandover medallist Rory O'Brien (36 possessions) and a band of recruits, the Sharks looked home when Ryan Lester-Smith ran into an open goal 10 minutes into the final quarter to put the margin beyond five goals.
But West Perth came roaring back, kicking five consecutive majors to get within three points.
Brett Peake pounced on a loose ball at the back of a pack to give East Fremantle breathing space late in time-on, but Jordan Jones replied to ensure fans had their hearts in their mouths.
The Falcons were denied the lead by Sharks defender Matthew Jupp's brilliant saving mark deep in defence.
Running back with the flight of the ball, Jupp took a spectacular high grab in front of Jones.
Former West Coast midfielders Bradd Dalziell (33) and Jamie McNamara (27) were influential, as was Brock O'Brien across half-back in his return to the Sharks.
