Tsalikis' late goal for West Perth breaks Peel's heart

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Tsalikis' late goal for West Perth breaks Peel's heartSunday, May 11, 2014 - 6:36 PM - by Chris Pike

WEST Perth has cruelly denied Peel Thunder of its first victory of 2014 with Anthony Tsalikis kicking a goal just before the siren to get the Falcons over the line by a point after earlier trailing by 42 points.

West Perth kicked the first two goals of the game, but Peel then took control of the contest with the last three goals of the first quarter, and then last five of the second term to lead by a game-high 42 points at half-time.

The Falcons came out kicking the first three goals in eight minutes to start the third term, but it appeared Peel had steadied enough to still lead by 30 points at three quarter-time.

When Cruize Garlett goaled at the 20-minute mark to stretch Peel's lead back to 17 points it appeared the Thunder had done enough to win, but West Perth then got quick goals to Kody Manning and Nick Rodda to close to within a single goal.

Marcus Adams then dribbled through a point to make the margin five points and then Tsalikis marked out on a lead near the boundary as time ticked down.

He slotted the goal from the left forward pocket as wild celebrations ensued as West Perth hit the front for the first time since early in the game, and to win 14.9 (93) to 14.8 (92).

The win improves West Perth to a 3-4 record and sees the Falcons replace Perth in fourth position on the WAFL ladder while Peel remains winless in 2014, and is yet to win a game since downing East Perth in Round 10 last year. The losing run now stretches to 18 straight matches.

Tsalikis might have only kicked one goal for the day but he was a strong contributor for the Falcons finishing with 27 possessions, 10 marks and five inside 50s.

Shane Nelson worked tirelessly in West Perth's midfield with 34 possessions and six tackles with Aaron Black also having 29 touches, Andrew Strijk 27, Steve Potente 25, Jay van Berlo 22, Luke Tedesco 19 and Steven Browne 18 to go with a crucial last quarter goal.

Andrew Krakouer booted three goals for West Perth with Nick Rodda and Kody Manning kicking two apiece.

Matt Taberner was outstanding up forward for Peel kicking five goals from 16 possessions and 12 marks.

Anthony Morabito, Cruize Garlett and Tom Sheridan kicked two goals each for Peel.

Sheridan also racked up 32 possessions and Sam Menegola picked up 33 touches in his first game for Peel since Round 3.

Eddie Dann had a good day in defence for Peel finishing with 25 possessions and a goal while doing well keeping Krakouer in check for the majority of the game.

Former skipper Brendon Jones again worked hard for 25 possessions, six tackles, five inside 50s and a goal while Garrick Ibbotson had it 25 times, Jacob Ballard 22, Morabito 21 and Kristin Thornton 18.

Meanwhile, the day wasn’t a total disaster for Peel with the Thunder's colts winning by three points against West Perth in what is the club's first win in any grade this season after eight rounds.