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South Fremantle remains undefeated through three rounds, after defeating Claremont by 8 points in a low scoring tussle at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.
In other results Subiaco recorded their first win of the season as they proved too strong for Swan Districts, East Perth powered away from East Fremantle at Leederville Oval and West Perth thrashed Peel Thunder by 92 points at Rushton Park.
The Lions headed to Bassendean Oval to face Swans to start the round, the Lions wasting no time in avenging their first up defeat to Claremont in round one as they started with four goals to two in the opening term.
Despite losing utility Harry Marsh early to injury the reigning premiers were in control from the outset, winning 11.13 (79) to 6.4 (40).
2019 Sandover Medallist Lachlan Delahunty had 24 disposals for Subiaco, while spearhead Ben Sokol popped up with three majors as Beau Wardman’s men got their season back on track.
Frank Anderson (23 disposals) and Jesse Turner (22) worked hard in midfield for Swans, while Will Reidy and Leigh Kohlmann each kicked two majors, the Black Ducks wait for a win in season 2020 to continue.
East Perth started slowly against East Fremantle, the Sharks bursting out of the blocks to kick the first three goals of the contest before the home side steadied.
The Royals reigned supreme in the second and third quarters, kicking 11 goals to four in that time to open up an insurmountable buffer on their opponents, winners 15.9 (99) to 8.8 (56).
Nick Robertson kicked three goals on debut for East Perth, while Matthew Young also kicked three majors.
Angus Scott had 31 disposals, Rohan Kerr with 29 and acting captain Jackson Ramsay 28, the win coming at a cost with injuries to Corey Watts (finger), Angus Schumacher (ankle) and Jamie Rudrum (concussion) failing to finish the game.
Luke Strnadica tried hard up forward for the vanquished Sharks kicking three first half goals and Jordan Snadden’s great form continued with 27 disposals but they lacked support in another disappointing showing from Bill Monaghan’s men.
West Perth booted the first 14 goals of a horrifically one sided contest against Peel Thunder at Rushton Park, the home team goalless through the opening half as the Falcons flew to a 20.11 (131) to 5.9 (39) victory.
Tyler Keitel dined out on the under strength Peel defence in kicking five goals for the Falcons, while fellow key forward Michael Lourey finished with four majors (from five disposals) an eight goal to nil start making a certainty of the result after half an hour of football.
Peel broke their goal scoring drought late in the third term but finished with just five goals on the day, Blair Bell the only multiple goalkicker with two majors.
Shane Nelson (30 disposals) and Aaron Black (28) were familiar architects in the middle for Geoff Valentine’s men, Luke Meadows outstanding in his second match since returning to the Falcons with 27 disposals and 2 goals.
Jackson Merrett battled hard to win 31 disposals for Peel, 12 more than the next best Thunder player in an outstanding individual performance on an otherwise bleak day for the home team.
South Fremantle and Claremont both went in to their clash undefeated at Fremantle Oval, the Bulldogs regaining stars Haiden Schloithe and Dylan Main for a crunch clash against the Tigers.
Schloithe kicked the only goal of the opening term in a low scoring arm wrestle, but goals to Alex Manuel and Anton Hamp gave the Tigers the lead halfway through the second.
While even in general play the Bulldogs were more damaging going forward, pushing out to a three goal lead in the third term before Claremont came home with some late momentum, getting the margin within single figures in the dying moments.
South Fremantle held on to win by eight points in a game that only featured 12 goals, Hamp the only multiple goalkicker with two majors in a Tigers defeat, the final score 7.6 (48) to 5.10 (40).
Jacob Dragovich underlined his importance as part of a growing Bulldogs midfield with 25 disposals, while big man Zach Strom showcased his athletic capabilities with 21 touches of his own.
Declan Mountford had 30 touches for the Tigers in an inside midfield masterclass, Jack Lewsey with 27 disposals and Alec Waterman’s outstanding start to the season continuing with 20 disposals, but a poor day in front of goal kicking 1.3.
The win sees South Fremantle top of the ladder with three wins from as many matches, while West Perth’s percentage boosting win puts them in to second, followed by Claremont and Perth inside the four.
Leederville based clubs East Perth and Subiaco sit just outside the top four at 1-1, East Fremantle in seventh spot followed by winless duo Swan Districts and Peel Thunder.
Round four sees a Perth derby between West and East Perth, East Fremantle hosts Perth, Claremont is at home to Peel Thunder and a grand final rematch sees Subiaco play South Fremantle at Leederville Oval.
IMAGE: WAFL Twitter.