WAFL Round 2 Wrap

Claremont has extracted some revenge for last year's heartbreaking Grand Final defeat, toppling reigning premiers South Fremantle by 16 points at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

The Tigers speed and ball used proved too much for the Bulldogs, who were left to rue an inaccurate first half in front of goal as the home side overcame a nine point half time deficit to record back to back wins to start season 2021.

In other results Peel Thunder recorded both their highest ever WAFL score and biggest winning margin with a 105 point thrashing of East Perth at Leederville Oval, West Perth's forward dined out on an under strength West Coast at Splendid Park in Yanchep in a 78 point triumph, Subiaco remained undefeated with a 33 point win over East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval while Swan Districts handed Perth a 50 point belting under lights at Lathlain Park.

But all eyes were on the first meeting between last season's Grand Finalists Claremont and South Fremantle at Revo Fitness Stadium in the 91.3 Sport FM broadcast match, both teams coming off impressive first round victories.

Former skipper Kane Mitchell popped up with the first two goals of the game for the home side as the Tigers made an impressive start, South Fremantle striking back late in the first term with goals in time on to Cody Ninyette and Matthew Parker to take the lead in to the opening break.

The game became an arm wrestle in the second term as the sides traded goals, Anthony Treacy with a pair of goals to spark Claremont before Ninyette did likewise up the other end for South Fremantle, kicking two majors for the term to help his side edge ahead.

Todd Curley's men could have been further ahead at half time, recording the last six scoring shots for a return of 2.4 to hold a nine point advantage.

The game changed complexion after the break as the Tigers onballers lifted, their transition from defence dynamic as they piled on seven goals to three for the quarter, which lasted more than 35 minutes.

It gave Ash Prescott's side a 14 point advantage at the final break, youngster Jack Buller shouldering the ruck mantle gallantly for Claremont after the early loss of first choice ruckman Oliver Eastland with a hamstring injury.

The Bulldogs came out firing early in the last with successive goals to spearhead Mason Shaw to set up a thrilling finale, but the Tigers had the answers as their pace and skill proved too much for the red and whites, winning 17.6 (108) to 13.14 (92) in front of more than 2000 fans.

Lachlan Martinis had 32 disposals for Claremont in a superb performance across half back, dual Sandover Medalist Jye Bolton with 31 disposals and a goal while also playing as a relief ruckman in the absence of Eastland, while Jake Patmore had 26 disposals and a goal for the winners.

Bulldogs skipper Dylan Main had 26 disposals while Haiden Schloithe overcame a first half tag to finish with 24 disposals and a goal, Shaw with five majors and Ninyette four to take their combined tally to 18 goals in two matches to start the season.

Peel Thunder dominated their clash with East Perth from start to finish as they recorded their first hundred point victory of their 24 year history, defeating a sick and sorry Royals outfit 24.10 (154) to 7.7 (49) at Leederville Oval.

The win was set up by a five goal to two opening quarter, Ben Hancock with two first quarter goals to give the Thunder early momentum.

East Perth had few winners across the day with Peel largely dominant, the Thunder with a comfortable 25 point lead at half time before putting the foot down after the major break to slam on 15 goals to three in a historic day for the Mandurah based club.

Having been on the end of many a 100 point hiding in the first decade of their history, Peel recorded their first three figure victory margin as well as their highest WAFL score, Joel Western's goal in time on of the last term pushing the margin beyond the century mark.

Peel Thunder had 13 individual goalkickers on the day to record their first win since round 20, 2019, having suffered a winless season in 2020 without their Fremantle contingent of players.

Taylin Duman starred to press his claims for an AFL recall with 30 disposals, Will Schofield enjoying freedom further up the field to have 26 disposals and a goal as he played the majority of the game in the ruck while Michael Randall had 25 disposals and 2 goals to continue his fine start to the season.

East Perth had a day to forget in their first 100 point defeat since the opening round of the 2018 season, Angus Scott (34 disposals) and skipper Jackson Ramsay (27 disposals) finding plenty of the ball but lacking support as the Royals remain winless through two rounds.

Subiaco overcame a sluggish start to record a 33 point win over East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval, continuing their domination of the Sharks on their home ground that extends back to 2013.

The Sharks were full of confidence after a first round win over Peel Thunder and started impressively, Dillon O'Reilly (two goals) and Luke Strnadica both hitting the scoreboard inside the opening 15 minutes.

But the Lions steadied as their midfield gradually got on top, keeping the home side goalless for almost an hour of actual game time as the visitors kicked seven straight goals.

In a game of momentum swings Bill Monaghan's men responded after half time with four goals to one in the third stanza, trimming the Lions lead to just two points at the final break.

Kicking with the aid of the breeze in the last quarter Subiaco were too good for their plucky opponents, piling on seven goals to one to win 12.14 (86) to 8.5 (53).

Ryan Borchet kicked 3.3 to star up forward for the winners, skipper Leigh Kitchin with 28 disposals and ten tackles to star in midfield while Greg Clark had 21 touches and a goal in the Lions ninth straight win over the Sharks.

Josh Schoenfeld had 27 disposals for the home side, Milan Murdock had 24 as did ruckman Strnadica to go with 48 hitouts in a strong showing in the middle of the ground, O'Reilly the only multiple goalkicker as scoring options dried up later in the contest.

West Perth marked captain Aaron Black's 200th WAFL game with a 78 point thrashing of West Coast at Splendid Park in Yanchep.

The Falcons dominated from the outset with a four goal to one first quarter, never headed from there on in as they prevailed 19.6 (120) to 6.6 (42) in the first WAFL match for premiership points at the venue.

Tyler Keitel kicked six goals for the winners in a dominant showing up forward, Mitchell Antonio slotting four majors in his first league match since 2018 and livewire small forward Keegan Knott with three goals of his own.

Black marked his milestone match with 43 disposals while Trent Manzone had 40 disposals in his new role across half back as the Falcons had a whopping 457 disposals for the match.

West Coast were led by Brayden Ainsworth (36 disposals) and Alex Witherden (26) as part of an Eagles outfit that had nine AFL listed players, unable to match it with a strong West Perth side.

Swan Districts produced a dominant performance under lights to complete the round against Perth at Mineral Resources Park, recording their first win of the season 14.15 (99) to 6.13 (49).

The visitors led by a goal at quarter time in an even opening to the match and lost veteran Lewis Jetta to a soft tissue complaint early in the second term, only to rally with three unanswered goals to put a gap between them and the Demons.

The dominance continued under lights in the third term as the Black Ducks slammed on five goals to one, Matt Riggio and Jesse Palmer proving elusive up forward.

A 53 point margin at three quarter time saw the game decided well before it's conclusion, Perth only able to score six goals for the contest as Swans won in convincing style.

2020 Sandover medallist Sam Fisher had 41 disposals as well as a goal in a dominant performance in midfield while Frank Anderson had 31 disposals of his own.

Turner and Riggio each kicked four goals up forward for the winners, Perth outplayed in all facets with midfield pair Chris Masten (29 disposals) and Brady Grey (28) producing solid games while Jordon Reid was the Demons only multiple goalkicker on WAFL debut.

Subiaco and Claremont are the only two teams undefeated after the first fortnight of the season, Peel Thunder, West Perth and Swan Districts inside the top five on percentage from South and East Fremantle as well as Perth, East Perth and West Coast both without a victory to their name.

Sport FM 91.3's broadcast match in round three is South Fremantle and Peel Thunder at Pingelly Oval.

IMAGE: WAFL.