West Perth coach Paul Sanzone has attributed the club's winless start to the 2026 WAFL season to a combination of injuries, inexperience, and a tough draw, insisting that the Falcons are not far off from turning their fortunes around.
Difficult start for the Falcons
After five rounds, West Perth sits at the bottom of the ladder without a victory, having suffered narrow losses in several matches. Sanzone acknowledged the frustration but pointed to positive signs within the team's performances.
Injury woes and youthful squad
The Falcons have been hit hard by injuries to key players, including experienced midfielder Jack Powell and forward Liam Tedesco. Sanzone noted that the club is fielding one of the youngest teams in the competition, with several debutants gaining valuable experience.
"We've had to blood a lot of young players earlier than anticipated due to injuries," Sanzone said. "There are definitely teething problems, but we are seeing improvement each week. The effort and commitment from the group are there."
Close losses and missed opportunities
West Perth has lost three games by less than two goals, including a heartbreaking two-point defeat to East Perth. Sanzone believes that with a bit more composure in key moments, the results could have been different.
"We are not getting blown away. We are right in contests but just need to execute better in the last quarter," he said. "The players are buying into the game plan, and once we get some troops back, we will start winning."
Looking ahead
The Falcons face a crucial clash against bottom-four side Swan Districts next week, which Sanzone sees as a winnable opportunity to kick-start their season. He stressed the importance of maintaining belief within the playing group.
"We have to keep working hard and trust the process. The wins will come," Sanzone added.
