Twilight soccer involves the WAFL this weekend with a much-anticipated conflict between unbeaten former inner-city rivals West Perth and Perth at Joondalup.
The Falcons, who’ve welcomed the return of delisted West Coast Eagle Connor West, are coming off a come-from-behind house 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 abroad accident final yr.
It’s 4 years since each golf equipment began with wins, and West and the Falcons received’t be taking the Demons as a right once they meet of their twilight sport 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 instructed The West Australian instantly 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 restricted pre-season after hurting his knee – he injured an MCL – with West Coast final yr.
But he’s loving being again on the membership the place his fellow former Eagle in father Robbie performed 47 video games within the early Nineteen Nineties and received a Sandover Medal.
“I’m having a great time,” West stated. “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 within the midfield towards the Tigers, scored a purpose and had an equal workforce excessive of seven tackles with Falcons legend Shane Nelson.
There is way satisfaction enjoying within the crimson and blue once more after notching up 40 video games earlier than he went to the Eagles beneath the father-son rule and enjoying 28 video 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 stated.
“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” quantity he had when he first arrived on the membership.
“No. 44 was my first number when I got to the club in 2018, and it was available,” he stated.
“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 instructing diploma this yr – he’s over half means by it – and dealing 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 stated.
The 24-year-old can also be having fun with his time beneath new West Perth coach and premiership captain Jason Salecic.
“He has fitted in really well,” West stated. “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 membership to the finals in 2024 after their historic 2022 premiership at their former house, Leederville Oval.
No doubt West will construct on what he learnt on the Eagles, to journey the highs and lows and take the great with the dangerous.
“I learnt not to take anything for granted, to enjoy every moment,” he stated.
“I enjoyed the relationships – and the connections you’ll have with people for the rest of your life.”
The Falcons-Demons match begins at 4pm on Saturday, April 6.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/wafl/ex-west-coast-eagle-connor-west-relishes-return-to-beloved-west-perth-ahead-of-falcons-demons-twilight-clash-c-14173555
