PEEL THUNDER 10.7 (67) def. SUBIACO 8.15 (63)
Peel Thunder scraped over the line against a defiant Subiaco side in a nail-biting come-from-behind four-point victory to claim their second win of the season.
The reigning premiers trailed by as much as 26 points in the first half, before kicking seven goals in the second half to snatch victory, while Subiaco were left ruing their inaccuracy in front of goal.
Fremantle small forward Jack Delean had a breakout performance, kicking five of Peel’s goals, including two in the dying stages of the first half, giving his side momentum for a second-half comeback.
Will Brodie (32 disposals, four marks) continued banging the door down for an AFL recall, while Liam Reidy (46 hitouts, 7 inside 50s, one goal) was also impressive.
However, the Fremantle-listed ruck has been reported for striking following an incident involving Subiaco ruck Jedd Edwards in the second quarter.
Subiaco midfielders Greg Clark (27 disposals, 14 tackles, one goal) and Liam Hickmott (21 disposals, 13 tackles) battled hard and applied plenty of defensive pressure.
Jack Mayo (17 disposals, two goals) was also solid, and Daniel Gathercole (17 disposals, one goal) gave a strong performance on League debut for the Lions.
CLAREMONT 20.8 (128) def. PERTH 9.7 (61)
Claremont have surged its way to a resounding 67-point win against Perth, firing a warning shot to the rest of the competition.
The Tigers, who occupy third place on the ladder, were on the ball right from the start, with their star-studded on-ballers and forward line simply being too much to handle for the Demons.
This became clear after half time, where Claremont kicked 11.6 (72) to Perth’s 1.4 (10) in the second half to easily secure the win.
Claremont’s usual suspects, Jye Bolton (37 disposals, five inside 50s), Bailey Rogers (34 disposals, one goal) and Callan England (25 disposals, one goal) saw plenty of the ball and ran rampant all day.
It was similar up forward, with Perth’s defence having no answer for Kieran Gowdie, who booted seven majors. Meanwhile, Oliver Eastland dominated in the ruck with 40 hitouts and two goals.
Brandon Parfitt (20 disposals, 12 tackles), who was overlooked in the AFL midseason draft, and Charlie Constable (34 disposals, two goals) were bright spots for Perth in the heavy defeat.
SWAN DISTRICTS 11.10 (76) def. WEST COAST 7.7 (49)
An undermanned Swan Districts have secured their second win of the season against West Coast, winning by 27 points.
Saturday’s win ensured Swan Districts’ win-loss record against West Coast remained unblemished, despite missing several key players in their engine room.
Key Forward Leigh Kohlman battled his way through a hamstring concern during the second quarter to boot three goals, while Jye Chalcraft (26 disposals, four inside 50s) was imposing across the ground, and kicked two goals himself.
Captain Jesse Turner (37 disposals, nine marks, one goal) was reliable as always and had plenty of support from Aidan Clarke (29 disposals, six tackles) and Jackson McLachlan (29 disposals, 6 tackles).
But Eagles’ top midseason draftee Tom McCarthy (26 disposals, five marks) was the hot topic coming into this match, and backed it up with an impressive debut.
Meanwhile, Clay Hall continues pushing for an AFL return with 30 disposals, six tackles and two goals. Campbell Chesser (22 disposals, 8 tackles), was also strong on return from injury, while Harley Sparks (24 disposals, six tackles) was also impressive
EAST FREMANTLE 4.3 (27) def. by SOUTH FREMANTLE 10.21 (81)
It was all bark, all bite for South Fremantle, who imposed a 54-point mauling on rivals East Fremantle in a wet and wild edition of the WA Day Fremantle Derby.
South Fremantle claimed the bragging rights over their rivals in the first top-of-the-table derby battle since 1992, establishing themselves as premiership favourites.
Isaiah Winder had a day out, finishing on 30 disposals and a goal, while Matthew Parker (29 disposals, six marks) and Tom Blechynden (27 disposals, 14 tackles) also gave strong performances.
South Fremantle key forward Zac Strom had a huge say in the win, kicking four goals while Hamish Free (53 hitouts, 12 disposals) dominated the ruck battle against Luke Strndica, who stepped in for AFL midseason draftee Lachie Blakiston.
Kyle Baskerville (27 disposals, eight tackles) and Cameron Eardley (25 disposals, one goal) can hold their heads high, both finishing as East Fremantle’s top disposal getters.
Milan Murdock also had a notable performance, finishing on 21 disposals and 10 tackles.
EAST PERTH 17.10 (112) def. WEST PERTH 8.7 (55)
East Perth has stormed home to a WA Day derby victory, claiming a 45-point victory against West Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.
And when it rained, it poured for West Perth, with captain Luke Meadows benched in the second term with an ankle concern. Michael Mallard was also injured during the game.
But East Perth were also without their captain Hamish Brayshaw, who was ruled out with a minor leg issue ahead of the public holiday clash.
Tom North (30 disposals, 10 tackles), Angus Scott (29 disposals, six marks) and Liam Tedesco (26 disposals, one goal) successfully filled their skippers’ boots in his absence, delivering a dominant display through the middle.
Forward Sam Van Dieman was also unstoppable in East Perth’s forward 50, booting four goals, while Coby Burgiel, Sebit Kuek and Mitchell Schofield each kicked two.
For the Falcons, Shane Nelson and Corey Rundel were the standouts, each finishing on 21 disposals and combining for 13 tackles and five inside 50s.
Reigning Bernie Naylor medallist Tyler Keitel didn’t have his usual scoreboard impact, but managed two goals and was among West Perth’s best.
IMAGE: Michael O’Brien