South Mandurah take down Mustangs for first win in 2017

The Falcons lost their first two games to Centrals and Rockingham by 39 and 51 points respectively, but were able to turn their form around with a 21.12 (138) to 4.5 (29) shellacking of the Mustangs.

Brad Holmes was the star of the show with nine majors, but coach Daniel Haines was left thoroughly impressed by his midfield’s tenacity in the contest.

“I think we were able to get back to playing Falcons footy the way we like to play it,” he said.

“We were strong in the middle and won plenty of contested footy, which helped give our forwards a chance.”

The Mustangs started the game in competitive fashion, evening the contest and going into the quarter-time interval down just eight points.

But the Falcons blasted the young Mandurah side seven goals to one in the second quarter, escaping to a 44-point lead at the long break.

Things only got worse for the Mustangs as South Mandurah ran away with the game, booting 12 second-half majors to finish 109-point victors.

Holmes was not the only forward to shine for the Falcons, as Luke Shepherd and Shane Norris both booted three.

Keegan Power was again among the best players for the Falcons, while Zac Podmore and Mitchell White were productive for the Mustangs.

Haines hopes the win is a turning point for his side, who will be looking to keep the ball rolling when they come up against the top-of-the-table Pinjarra Tigers in round four.

“I think it’s huge for us to get that first win,” he said.

“We know Pinjarra are an in-form side so we will need to bring our absolute best to the game.

“I think if we can get the right mix and bring the same effort we brought against the Mustangs we will have a pretty good shot.”

The Falcons take on the Tigers in the Peel Football and Netball League’s melanoma awareness game at Falcon Oval next Sunday.

The Mustangs will look to return to the winners’ list when they travel to Baldivis on the same day.