Twilight football comes to the WAFL this weekend with a much-anticipated clash between unbeaten former inner-city rivals West Perth and Perth at Joondalup.
The Falcons, who have welcomed the return of delisted West Coast Eagle Connor West, are coming off a come-from-behind home win over Claremont.
The Demons opened their season with victory over 2023 finalist Subiaco in a tribute to former teammate Dakota Baldwin-Wright who died in an overseas accident last year.
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READ NOWIt’s four years since both clubs started with wins, and West and the Falcons won’t be taking the Demons for granted when they meet in their twilight game at Pentanet Stadium on Saturday.
“We’ll have a good review of Perth; they’ve picked up a few recruits and they’re always a pretty good side,” West told The West Australian immediately after the Falcons’ two-point win over the Tigers.
“And they’ll probably bounce back this year after having a few poor years. I think they’ll be good.
“We’ll go in backing our system to play our way; we worked on it pre-season. To move the ball quick, contested footy, just play to our own strengths really.
“Everyone’s different, everyone brings their own strengths. It’s all about playing to our strengths and putting it all together.”
West had a limited pre-season after hurting his knee – he injured an MCL - with West Coast last year.
But he’s loving being back at the club where his fellow former Eagle in father Robbie played 47 games in the early 1990s and won a Sandover Medal.
“I’m having a great time,” West said. “I’m back enjoying footy again and getting the win (against Claremont) so that’s what it’s all about.”
He picked up 21 possessions in the midfield against the Tigers, scored a goal and had an equal team high of seven tackles with Falcons legend Shane Nelson.
There is much pride playing in the red and blue again after notching up 40 games before he went to the Eagles under the father-son rule and playing 28 games.
“It means everything (representing West Perth), this is where I grew up playing and at the end of the day it’s where my family has played,” he said.
“So there’s a lot of history here. It’s pretty special at home. And it feels great.”
His No. 3 guernsey was taken by star defender Ben Johnson when he returned to Joondalup from the Eagles.
So West has taken the “cool” number he had when he first arrived at the club.
“No. 44 was my first number when I got to the club in 2018, and it was available,” he said.
“And it’s good to take it up again. There have been a few who have worn No. 44 – the Eagles’ David Wirrpanda and Corey Enright for Geelong.
“I used to love Wirrpanda back in the day when I was a young Eagles fan.”
West has returned to his teaching degree this year – he’s over half way through it – and working as a barista.
“It’s a bit of a change-up; I love my coffee and thought I’d dive into that industry and it fits well with uni,” he said.
The 24-year-old is also enjoying his time under new West Perth coach and premiership captain Jason Salecic.
“He has fitted in really well,” West said. “He’s a great coach; he’s obviously done some work last year with the reserves... and has got a big history here.
“He’s a bit younger and a modern-style coach.
“He’s big on relationships and team chemistry and understanding what players go through week to week and just being able to manage that plus footy life.”
West and his team-mates will hope to return the club to the finals in 2024 after their historic 2022 premiership at their former home, Leederville Oval.
No doubt West will build on what he learnt at the Eagles, to ride the highs and lows and take the good with the bad.
“I learnt not to take anything for granted, to enjoy every moment,” he said.
“I enjoyed the relationships - and the connections you’ll have with people for the rest of your life.”
The Falcons-Demons match starts at 4pm on Saturday, April 6.