This weekend in the WAFL, ladder leaders South Fremantle welcomed back a club champion, West Coast recorded it’s highest winning margin in three seasons, and Boorloo took out a win in nailbting fashion.
Here is all the action from Round 13.
SOUTH FREMANTLE 10.9 (69) def. CLAREMONT 6.6 (42)
The return of a champion spurred South Fremantle on to a 27-point win against Claremont at Community Bank Oval on Saturday.
In what was a possible grand final preview, South Fremantle has extended the gap between itself and second-placed Claremont to 10 points, showing its sheer dominance this season.
Sandover medallist Haiden Schloithe played his first league game since undergoing treatment for testicular cancer after being diagnosed earlier this year. Although he had a quiet game, his impact went beyond the stats sheet, inspiring and lifting his side.
Matt Parker, who was cleared of a rib injury ahead of this weekend, had another spectacular game, finishing on 30 disposals, 7 inside 50s and a goal.
The Sandover medallist contender had support from Tom Blechyden (23 disposals, 5 inside 50s), Jake Florenca (22 disposals, 3 tackles) and Isiah Winder (22 disposals, 2 goals).
Claremont’s Anthony Davis had a match-high 33 disposals, 7 tackles and a goal, and was the losing side’s best player.
Ruck Oliver Eastland (36 hitouts, 17 disposals, 9 tackles) also played well, along with Ben Elliot (20 disposals, 7 tackles, one goal).
PEEL THUNDER 6.5 (41) def by. EAST PERTH 10.9 (69)
East Perth have kept their top two hopes alive, while dimming Peel’s finals hopes after securing a 28-point win at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday.
It was a scrappy, but much-needed win for the Royals over the reigning premiers, who boasted 12 AFL-listed Dockers in the side.
East Perth were able to capitalise on Peel’s inaccuracy, with turnover proving to be costly, especially with the strength of East Perth’s midfield, who were quick to pounce on Peel’s errors.
Tom North had an outstanding 32 disposals with three marks and two tackles, while captain Hamish Brayshaw had 23 disposals, six tackles and five inside 50s.
Wingman Angus Scott also had a day out, winning 26 disposals, eight marks and eight tackles, while both Sam Van Diemen and Tom Medhat kicked two goals each.
Dockers Jeremy Sharp (29 disposals, 6 marks) and James Aish (25 disposals, 8 marks) notched up plenty of the ball, but it wasn’t enough to get Peel over the line.
Liam Reidy also held up well against East Perth’s Scott Jones in the ruck battle, finishing on 30 hit outs, 18 disposals and one goal.
SUBIACO 8.9 (57) def by. WEST COAST 14.3 (87)
West Coast has blazed away to record its second win this season, snapping a six-game losing streak against Subiaco at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.
Both Subiaco and West Coast occupy the last two places on the ladder, with the former coming into Saturday afternoon’s clash having won their previous two games.
But West Coast burst out of the gates in the first term, kicking 6.1 to 1.2 to send them on their way to their largest win since 2022.
Former Blue Matt Owies kicked four goals on his WAFL debut and had a huge say in the final margin, while Noah Long was also handy up forward, booting three majors.
Meanwhile, Tom Gross (29 disposals, 6 tackles) put his best foot forward for an AFL recall, while Campbell Chesser (23 disposals, 5 marks) continues to build his form.
Forward Ryan Borchet impressed in the losing side, booting four goals from 18 disposals and nine marks.
Liam Hickmott (24 disposals, 8 tackles, one goal) and Taj Schofield (22 disposals, 6 tackles, one goal) both stood up in captain Greg Clark’s absence and played exceptionally well.
BOORLOO 8.8 (56) def. EAST FREMANTLE 8.5 (53)
Boorloo (Perth) have come out winners against a tight but thrilling contest against East Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park.
East Fremantle led at each break except for the final siren, where they desperately searched for a goal against a firm Boorloo defence in the dying minutes of the game.
This sees the Demons jump above their opponent on the ladder and puts them within touching distance of second place as the pointy end of the season approaches.
Blake Schlensog’s heroics were crucial in determining the outcome, taking numerous intercept marks, while finishing on 52 hit outs, 21 disposals and eight marks.
Meanwhile, Brandon Parfitt (30 disposals, 12 tackles) was outstanding in the middle, as was Charlie Constable (27 disposals, 5 inside 50s), while Daniel Hill kicked three goals.
Sharks stalwart Milan Murdock put up another strong performance to finish on 23 disposals and nine tackles, and had support from Tom Joyce (24 disposals, 4 inside 50s) and Kyle Baskerville (26 disposals, 5 tackles).
Jarrad Jansen also brought plenty of pressure, laying an incredible 14 tackles, while also notching up 17 disposals. Reuben McGuire was also handy up forward, booting two goals.
WEST PERTH 11.3 (74) def by. SWAN DISTRICTS 12.13 (85)
Swan Districts survived a late scare from West Perth to nab a 11-point win on Saturday at HIF Health Insurance Oval.
Momentum was in Swan Districts’ favour, leading by as much as 28-points before half time before a major shift in the second half, which saw the Falcons kick 7.5 to 4.5.
But the Swan Districts held on right until the very end, despite West Perth’s best efforts to get out in front, with Aiden Clarke (29 disposals, 9 marks) kicking the sealer with minutes to go.
Forward Leigh Kohlmann had a tremendous first half, where he kicked all four of his goals, before being eliminated from the contest in the second half. Ben Hewett and Tom Smith each booted two majors apiece.
The Swans’ engine room was reliable as always, with the experienced heads of Jye Chalcraft (32 disposals, 8 marks) and Jesse Turner (20 disposals, 12 marks) leading the way.
Without captain Luke Meadows, veteran Shane Nelson led onfield with 31 disposals and four inside 50s, while Aaron Black (25 disposals, 6 marks) also played well.
Kane Bevan (24 disposals, 5 marks, one goal) and Riley Sprigg (29 hitouts, 14 disposals) also had notable performances.
IMAGE: Ollie Watkins