Perth retain silverware despite desperate late Big V surge

The Perth Football League made history on Saturday as they posted back-to-back wins over the Big V for the first time after a thrilling struggle at Sportscover Arena, Elsternwick Park.

FIRST QUARTER:

The Vics did all the early attacking, with goals to Old Brighton duo Jamie Hope and Harry Hill, followed by majors to James Tarrant and Charlie MacIsaac, which gave the hosts a 20-point lead entering time-on in the opening term, based largely on getting first hands on the footy, then controlling it via changing angles to uncontested marks.

But after being beaten on the inside early, the Sandgropers started to find their feet late in the term and hit back with goals to Clinton Hinchliffe and Koby Fullgrabe to close within 8 points.

However, late goals to Fitzroy’s Dane Harvey (who was shaping as a massive aerial threat up forward), and Blues’ midfield gun Darcy Chirgwin saw the Big V head to the opening change with a 21-point lead.

But the score belied the Inside 50 count, which saw Perth lead 15-13 at the first break, largely off the back of their Tackle pressure as they laid 15 tackles to 4 in the opening stanza.

QTR TIME: VAFA 6.3 (39)   PERTH FL 3.0 (18)

SECOND QUARTER:

The game tightened considerably in the second term, and that suited the visitors, who found ways to grind out goals while denying the Vics at the other end.

Brayden Furmark took Perth’s first mark Inside 50 for the game in the second minute, coolly slotting the goal from the left forward pocket.

Dane Harvey’s miss from point-blank range 5 minutes later denied the Big V the steadier they were looking for, and when Blake Morris marked and goaled from 40 metres out at the 10-minute mark, the margin was back to 8 points as Perth’s belief continued to grow.

The Vics lost Old Brighton young gun Sam Flockart to a ruptured ACL early in the term, leaving the Big V a man down for the remainder of the game, and our best wishes go out to Sam, who will have surgery this week, to be back in action for the Tonners by mid-season 2026.

Olli Hotton was laced out by a bullet from Sam Barnett 13 minutes in, and nailed the set shot from 35 out directly in front to open some much-needed breathing room for the Big V.

But that goal was wiped out four minutes later when Kyle Halligan got on the end of some slick transition footy down the outer wing and reduced the margin to single digits with a precise set-shot finish from the angle.

The two teams were going goal-for-goal in an even and entertaining contest. Dane Harvey’s long-range set-shot felt short after being touched by the man on the mark, allowing Charlie MacIsaac to pounce on the front-and-centre crumb to snap a clever goal at the 22-minute mark, as the Big V kicked clear once again.

However, Kyle Halligan had the final say in the opening half after being taken high in a marking contest. His goal tightened the gap once more in what had developed into a thoroughly watchable and evenly matched game in ideal conditions as the Sportscover Arena lights began to kick in.

HALF TIME: VAFA 8.5 (53) PERTH FL 7.4 (46)

THIRD QUARTER:

The third term proved to be pivotal as the visitors seized control and made it count.

Perth, led by a white-hot Clint Hinchliffe, dominated contested possession and ground balls, enabling them to successfully farm it out and control the game via uncontested possession chains.

The result was 18 Inside 50s to 9 and 4 goals to 1 for the quarter, including two more to Blake Morris, who was causing headaches for the Victorian defence both in the air and on the ground. He had 5 Score Involvements for the third term alone as the PFL opened up a very handy 15-point lead at the final change.

3-QTR TIME:   PERTH FL 11.10 (76)   VAFA 9.7 (61)

FINAL QUARTER:

Big V coach Daniel Harford urged his players to lift at three-quarter time, and they responded, with Olli Hotton finishing off a handball chain early in the final quarter to kick a long-range goal and immediately set the tone for a fiercely contested final term as the Vics levelled the inside battle.

Perth responded 2 minutes later after Kyle Halligan’s diving mark and accurate set shot from 45 metres out re-established the 15-point margin.

As the minutes passed, the next goal became crucial – the Vics needed it to stay in the game. So, when Uni Blacks speedster Kane Loftus broke free from a stoppage and burst through the 45 to kick a long goal on the run, the lead was back to 10 points at the 8-minute mark, and the tension kept rising.

The comeback looked on 4 minutes later when Jamie Hope juggled a mark and then goaled from 20 metres out, narrowing the margin to just 4 points at the 13-minute mark.

Perth needed an urgent response to slow the Big V’s momentum, and it came instantly as Hinchliffe and Connor West (both of whom had been outstanding all game) combined to win the centre clearance and launch it inside 45. Braydn Furmack squared it to the top of the goalsquare, where Blake Morris swooped on the loose ball to snap his fourth goal and steady the visitors.

But it wasn’t over yet. Old Brighton’s Jordie Segar, who had been finding plenty of the football, was taken high and nailed the set shot from 35 metres out to return the margin to just 4 points with half a quarter still to play.

The Vics had their chances but butchered a couple of golden opportunities to hit the front via sloppy disposal or poor decision making. One such foray was turned over 35 metres out from the Victorian goal and saw Perth counter-attack superbly down the outer wing, with Connor West’s long bomb to the goalsquare getting over the back, enabling Nash Miller to run into an open goal.

Try as they might, the Vics couldn’t string together the possession chain they needed to hit back once more, until Dane Harvey had his arms chopped at the 30-minute mark.

He goaled from 20 metres out to make it a one-kick game and give the Big V a glimmer of hope of pushing it to extra time once again.

But the siren would sound just 15 seconds after the restart, handing the Perth Football League a memorable 6-point win after another ferocious contest played in great spirits between two proud and fully committed teams.

FINAL SCORE:   PERTH FL 14.14 (98)   d.  VAFA 14.8 (92)

Perth midfielder Connor West was judged best afield by the umpires for his superb 32 disposals (15 contested), 10 clearances and 9 Inside 50s, while Clint Hinchliffe was similarly dominant with 36 disposals (16 contested), 8 clearances, 5 tackles and a goal.

Perth FL skipper Blake Wilhelm was full of praise for the Big V post-game.

Key forward Dane Harvey was voted best afield by the Western Australians for his 16 disposals, 8 marks and 2 goals, while Louis Butler won the ‘Spirit of the Big V’ Award for his tireless work in defence, which saw him rack up 23 disposals, 6 marks and 5 Rebound 50s.

“That was a pretty special game,” said Wilhelm. “Hard fought – you got out on top of us, and we just had to grind our way out. But all credit to you – you were very clean.”

Turning to his team-mates, he said, “We came together four weeks ago. We started as strangers and I feel like we’re pretty good mates now. That was an incredible win.”

Big V skipper Harry Hill was gracious in defeat.

“Congratulations Perth, another classy win from you guys. We had a good start, and we thought we were on track for today, but credit to you; you just fought your way back and got ahead, and we couldn’t catch you in the end. A great battle as always. Congratulations, deserving winners.

“To our boys, the coaching staff and everyone who’s been involved – it’s been an awesome program over the last five weeks. We worked our ass off today. Just weren’t able to get over the line, but well done. We’ll be back and better.”

William Buck Premier Men’s will take another week off ahead of hostilities resuming in Round 13 (July 26).

Secure your very own specially designed Big V Centenary Guernsey worn by all four 2025 Big V Teams. You can purchase a personalised replica guernsey for a limited time – find out more here.