Round 6 Rogers Cup Wrap Up

Someone once said, ‘a week is a long time in footy’, well it is so true in FalconLand this week, we had a week that the West Coast Eagles could certainly relate to as covid hit our Rogers Cup squad either directly or via close contact, but it was probably going to happen at some stage.

For the home game against Subiaco there were no fewer than 17 players unavailable, through a combination of Health and Safety protocols, injury or promotion to the League team, who were also battling players under Health and Safety protocols.

Starting a game wrap-up like this you could well expect the players to put up a brave fight and come away with an honourable loss, but you’d be mistaken because one thing this years’ squad has is plenty of SPIRIT and RESILIENCE and it showed in fantastic fashion as they took out the match by 25 points.

Starting with only 1 player on the bench, with several key players out of the line-up against a strong Lions team with a full bench our Falcons did the Red and Blue extremely proud as they started hard and fast. Jamarah Walley had a breakout game kicking 2 goals 3 for the day, but running rampant all over the forward line. Bella Hill was dominant all day in ruck, be it in the centre or around the ground, which gave Mia Russo first use of the ball, whose skill and strength were on show in a best on ground performance, which was also capped off with three goals for the game.

The game was setup in the first quarter with West Perth breaking away with 4 goals to lead Subiaco by 26 points, it was then just a matter if a depleted Falcons side could hang on for the rest of the match.

Subiaco fought back in the second with two late goals to bring the margin back to just 12 points at half time, but that only kicked the Falcons defence into gear with Leuca Krmpotic, assuming the Captaincy, leading the team from the half back line (as well as pitch-hitting in the ruck on occasions), with her ability to be strong in tackles to still get effective handballs out to her long kicking setting up many attacks she certainly thrived under the pressure.

Paige Dodunski is another who is becoming a very versatile player, able to attack strongly from deep in defence and hold down a key midfield role when called upon, her skill level to hit targets under pressure is a feature of her game. 

With each opportunity that Subiaco try to create, the West Perth defence was equal to the task and with the likes of Sophie Fisher whose mobility and contested marking could capitalise on the turnovers the Falcons were able to not only hold the lead but extend it further heading into the last quarter to 3 straight goals.

The last quarter was going to be the real test of the endurance and will of the West Perth players and they passed both tests with flying colours (be they Red and Blue) every player held to task and kept running throughout, debutants Jasmin Barnes and Olivia Bonsack (who only knew she was playing 90minues before the game) were very settled and strong contributors throughout the game.

So, from a week/day of adversity the Falcons dug deep and really showed great strength of character, which resulted in a memorable win which should instil confidence for the rest of the season.
West Perth 6.7 (43) defeating Subiaco 2.6 (18)