NOTHING could stop West Perth in the 2024 Rogers Cup season, as the Falcons claimed their third flag in four seasons to solidify a dynasty at junior level out west. In an incredible performance, West Perth had 15 scoring shots to nil, keeping opponents Subiaco scoreless throughout the entire match.

In the end, the final score read 3.12 (30) to 0.0 (0) in shocking wet conditions underfoot that made it near impossible to win easy clean touches. Instead if was Jamarah Woods who proved the key, booting two goals and almost snagging one or two more, while Lexi Strachan kicked the Falcons’ other goal in a game that was largely an armwrestle for the most part.

Falcons skipper Hayley Bidefeld won the best on ground medal and was one of a number of West Perth players who worked hard in the victory alongside Woods, Strachan, Cara Dziegielewski and Mia Robis. For Subiaco Layla Quinn-Schofield played a number of roles and caught the eye, while Meg McAullay tried hard in defence and the ruck.

WEST PERTH 2.2 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 3.12 (30)
SUBIACO 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 (0)

GOALS:
West Perth: J. Woods 2, L. Strachan
Subiaco: Nil.

RMC BEST:
West Perth: J. Woods, L. Strachan, C. Dziegielewski, H. Bidefeld, M. Robis
Subiaco: L. Quinn-Schofield, M. McAullay, G. Filardi, J. Vance, S. Peters

WEST PERTH:

#2 Jamarah Woods
Forward / Midfielder | 155cm | 01/07/2007

The lively small looked the most likely to create scoreboard impact, and kicked two of her side’s three goals, and set up the other to Strachan with a clever handball. The difference in the game from a scoreboard perspective, she managed to slot both her goals under pressure while keeping her feet and kicking them off a step with minimal time and space.

#3 Samara Sallie
Midfielder / Defender | 169cm | 07/03/2007

Returning to Rogers Cup level in the finals series after debuting for the League side this season, Sallie earned more midfield minutes for the Falcons and had her moments. Always looking to use her burst to breakthrough tackles, sometimes it worked out, while on other occasions she got caught. Did well defensively and helped out across half-back to create some speed on the ball.

#4 Hayley Bidefeld
Midfielder / Forward | 164cm | 10/08/2006

The Falcons skipper won best on ground in the win and certainly had her moments, particularly in the second half with the game on the line. She set up the sealer with a kick off a step inside 50 that lead to Woods putting West Perth’s third major through the big sticks, and really racked up the ball late in the game. Had a couple of chances going forward and almost had a brilliant play by breaking through three would-be tacklers before being run-down by the fourth late in the third term.

#8 Mia Robis
Forward / Midfielder | 167cm | 09/02/2006

Presented well at half-forward and rolling through the midfield, able to win the ball and take off whenever possible. She played some good wet weather football in getting the pill forward at all costs, and though efficiency was lower, she gained a fair bit of distance in the way she played. Kept fighting to the end and was still being involved in the play.

#16 Cara Dziegelewski
Ruck / Forward | 181cm | 19/04/2008

Started in the ruck and simply dominated, towering over her opponent and getting the majority of hitouts when in the role. Not as influential around the ground early, she did get more into as the game went on, gathering the ball across the field in all thirds of the ground. Produced a strong bump too late in the game and her follow-up work was very good.

#20 Isabella Hill
Ruck / Forward | 183cm | 02/04/2007

Crashed and bashed her way in rotation with Dziegelewski and was not afraid to let her opponents know about her strength. Produced a huge fend-off in the second term to then handball clear, and in the third quarter got into a scrap and earned a free from it when downed. Is a strong body who can match it with anyone, and also possesses a booming kick.

#25 Lexi Strachan
Midfielder / Defender | 167cm | 30/09/2008

The West Australian Under 16s MVP stepped up early with a crucial goal in the wet, playing brilliantly in the conditions to kick it off a step and get it just over the one-on-one on the goalline. She looked to thump the ball for distance more often than not, and competed hard both in the air and at ground level. A fierce tackler who can get it done offensively and defensively, and is a name to remember for the future.

SUBIACO:

#7 Grace Filardi
160cm | 07/11/2007

Had a few nice moments through the game and though not a massive ball-winner, looked clean in the conditions. She took a strong intercept mark in the third term and was able to pick it up well in the mud and puddles around the ground, while also producing Subiaco’s only two inside 50s for the first quarter.

#19 Sunni-Quay Peters
Forward | 174cm | 29/01/2007

The talented bottom-ager has been earmarked as one to watch for next year by the talent staff at the West Australian State Academy, and though she had limited chances up forward, she showed her potential in ‘almost moments’. Peters quite often competed in the air and almost took a series of good marks, or would get into right spots but the ball just did not quite get there. In dry conditions would be a dangerous player.

#27 Layla Quinn-Schofield
Forward / Ruck | 174cm | 27/07/2007

A standout for Subiaco who was deployed in a number of roles, it is easy to see why Quinn-Schofield earned a call-up to League level. The bottom-ager took a series of strong marks and generally made good decisions. Though somewhat undersized for a ruck, competed really well by reading the ball-up and then utilised her dangerous left foot going forward in transition.

#31 Jenna Vance
Midfielder | 163cm | 11/04/2008

Just had a crack for four quarters and relished the conditions, often diving on the loose or hardballs and trying desperately for her side to get them over the line. She often had to compete against multiple opponents at ground level, and though most of her work came at the coalface, she did spread to the outside and looked to keep the ball moving in transition.

#33 Meg McAullay
Defender / Ruck | 170cm | 22/03/2006

Alongside Quinn-Schofield was an obvious standout for the losers. She tried incredibly hard defensively, laid some strong tackles and denied the Falcons a number of scoring opportunities. Her brilliant run-down tackle on Bidefeld was a big moment in the grand final unlikely to be forgotten. Has a long kick and though finding the going touch with the way West Perth set up defensively, never stopped trying.