WEST PERTH 9.10 (64) def by. SOUTH FREMANTLE 14.7 (91)

South Fremantle’s sensational undefeated start to 2025 continues with a 27-point win over West Perth, boosting them to the top of the ladder. 

The Bulldogs had two more scoring opportunities than the Falcons, and took advantage of them, kicking 14.7, while the Falcons’ usually reliable forward line missed several crucial chances in the first three terms.

And to worsen the Falcons’ day, skipper Luke Meadows was benched with an ankle injury in the third quarter. 

South Freo’s Matt Parker was outstanding, with 30 disposals, nine tackles and 10 inside 50s, while Tom Blechynden (32 disposals, nine tackles) and Isiah Winder (23 disposals, two goals) were also handy on the day.

For West Perth, Kane Bevan was a highlight with a match-leading 35 disposals, along with nine tackles and four marks. Down back, Zac Guadagnin (25 disposals, nine marks) worked hard to hold off the sharpshooting Bulldogs.

CLAREMONT 19.10 (124) def. WEST COAST 10.12 (72)

Claremont has returned to the winners’ list with a resounding 52-point win over West Coast on Anzac Day. 

Despite Claremont booting three of the first four goals, West Coast took a 6-point lead into quarter time, but the margin could have been wider after kicking an inaccurate 3.7. 

But a monstrous second-half from Claremont pushed the margin out to 52 points, with star recruit Jaiden Hunter leading the charge. The former Bomber kicked five goals, while Talon Delacey and son-of-a-gun Zac Mainwaring also kicked three majors apiece. 

Claremont’s usual suspects, Jye Bolton (34 disposals, six tackles, one goal), Bailey Rogers (30 disposals, eight inside 50s, two goals), and Callan England (23 disposals, four tackles), were prolific for the winning side. 

West Coast’s youthful side showed some green shoots. Of the 16-AFL listed players, Clay Hall (27 disposals, five inside 50s, one goal) and Tom Gross (24 disposals, four inside 50s, one goal) were among the top performers, while Jobe Shanahan (two goals) continued to make his case for an AFL debut.  

SWAN DISTRICTS 6.12 (48) def by. PEEL THUNDER 7.11 (53)

Reigning premiers Peel Thunder have finally recorded their first win of 2025, handing a five-point loss to Swan Districts at their home ground. 

It was a scrappy affair between the two sides, who aimed to avoid finishing another weekend winless. But Peel came out on top, despite only kicking one goal in the second half.

Of the Peel’s 11 AFL-listed players, Neil Erasmus (30 disposals, nine tackles, six inside 50s) and Liam Reidy (48 hitouts, 16 disposals, eight inside 50s) were the standouts and continued pushing for an AFL recall. 

Jack Sears impressed with three goals, while Docker Bailey Banfield contributed two goals. Banfield was also reported for striking tagger Jehb O’Donohue in the third quarter.  

Former Eagle Zane Trew (five tackles, one goal), Jye Chalcraft (seven tackles) and Jesse Turner (six tackles) all finished on 24 disposals, while O’Donohue hustled to limit Banfield’s output. 

EAST FREMANTLE 14.16 (100) def. SUBIACO 10.10 (70)

East Fremantle overcame a rough first quarter to put away Subiaco with ease, thanks to a handy seven-goal haul from veteran Cody Leggett. 

The Sharks trailed by 12 points by the first break, but fought back hard in the second quarter to take a 19-point advantage into the second half and almost doubled Subiaco’s inside 50s count. 

Leggett (7 goals, 21 disposals) kicked half of East Freo’s goals, while Milan Murdock (25 disposals, 13 tackles, one goal), Tom Joyce (32 disposals, eight marks) and Jack Cleaver (25 disposals, nine tackles, nine inside 50s) impressed through the middle. 

For Subiaco, Jack Cooley notched up 32 touches and five tackles, while former Eagle Greg Clark (24 disposals) and Liam Hickmott (22 disposals) fought hard to hold off the rampaging Sharks with 11 tackles each. 

Young Subiaco forward Charlie Burke looked solid, finishing with 15 disposals and two goals on league debut.

PERTH 15.3 (93) def.  EAST PERTH 9.8 (62)

Perth has announced itself as a genuine threat after handing 2024 grand finalist East Perth its first loss of the season. 

The 31-point win under the lights of Mineral Resources Park has pushed Perth ahead of East Perth on the ladder, after keeping them goalless for the first quarter. 

Perth rarely missed inside 50, finishing 15.3 – with almost half the goals coming from Aaron Clarke, who snagged a 7-goal haul. Demon duo Charlie Constable (36 disposals, seven tackles) and Brandon Parfitt (34 disposals, four marks) also had a large say in the result.

But it was East Perth’s Tom North who was the top disposal getter for the round, cracking the 40-disposal mark, while also finishing with a goal and eight inside 50s. 

Zachary Raykos (29 disposals, seven tackles, five marks), Hamish Brayshaw (28 touches, four tackles, five inside 50s) and Angus Scott (28 disposals, 10 marks) were also among East Perth’s best, while Ben Middleton booted three majors.

IMAGE: WA Football