Zucconi put together 98 games with Perth between 2005 and 2012 as a strong and reliable key defender, but it was thought his career was over.

However, he has decided to give it one more crack in 2016 and the 29-year-old celebrated his 100th WAFL game in style on Saturday with Perth coming from behind to beat Claremont and Zucconi doing well in his battle with Tigers premiership player and Simpson Medallist Beau Maister.

What Perth has desperately needed in recent years is a key defender who could do a job on the opposition's power forwards and that's exactly what Zucconi provides on his return to help the players up the field go about their business with more confidence.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
Five goals in a stunning 11-minute patch to end the first quarter from Ben Saunders set up South Fremantle's win over East Perth and then after being challenged by the Royals in the last quarter, the Bulldogs kicked the last four goals to run out 40-point victors.

Saunders had a remarkable period to end the first quarter and it was even more impressive considering most of his five goals came against East Perth co-captain and one of the league's best defenders Kyle Anderson.

Three of his goals came from free-kicks that he drew but his presence was forcing East Perth's defence into mistakes and while he didn’t add to his five goals, his performance in the opening quarter set up South Fremantle's win.

Any dangerous forward-line needs a lively small forward and that's exactly what Steven Edwards is proving to be since arriving from Claremont. He had his best performance on Friday with three goals from 17 possessions and five tackles.

Mason Shaw and Dylan Main both kicked two goals each for South Fremantle with Main's two in the final quarter sealing the win in his first match against the team he played with the last two years while listed with West Coast.

Haiden Schloithe delivered a best on ground performance for South Fremantle mostly across half-forward finishing with 34 possessions, nine tackles, seven marks, six inside-50 entries and a goal.

Ashton Hams had another big night with 32 touches and seven marks while Steven Verrier finished with 21 disposals and six tackles, Shane Hockey 19 possessions and nine tackles, and Tim Kelly 19 touches and nine tackles.

South Fremantle's back-line stood up well against a tall and dangerous East Perth attack with Blayne Wilson leading the way with 17 possessions and 12 marks.

Tom Lamb was terrific for East Perth both when on the wing and when playing deep in attack. He finished the night with 23 possessions, six marks and four goals.

Chris Masten returned from an ankle injury in his first game since West Coast's AFL grand final loss to Hawthorn and was a strong contributed in limited game time with 28 possessions and six tackles.

Kane Lucas also worked hard for 22 touches and six tackles for the Royals with Callum Hart finishing with 21 disposals, Patrick McGinnity 19 and Mark Hutchings 18.

Jonathan Giles played his best game of the season in the ruck with 15 touches and 32 hit outs while Craig Wulff, Fraser McInnes and Matthew Allen all kicked two goals.

Then in the International Football Festival at HBF Arena, Subiaco started strongly with the first three goals and then kicked five straight in the last quarter to record their eighth straight win downing West Perth by 44 points.

Subiaco made a fast start with the first three goals, but West Perth hit back hard and three goals quickly to start the third quarter saw the Falcons take the lead. But it was their only lead of the afternoon for the home team as the Lions scored the 44-point win in the grand final rematch.

Subiaco's forward-line was without leading goal kicker Kyle Halligan but two off-season recruits came up big showing they could be strong signings for 16.

Ben Sokol delivered four goals from 19 possessions and six marks while Shaquille McKenzie kicked three second half goals with 18 disposals and six marks as well.

Brett Robinson was also outstanding for the Lions with three goals along with 28 possessions, eight inside 50s and seven marks.

Subiaco's midfield got on top despite losing the hit outs significantly. Captain Kyal Horsley racked up 27 possessions, eight tackles and six inside-50 entries with Adam Cockie adding 26 disposals, Leigh Kitchin 25, Brett Mahoney 22 (while tagging Aaron Black), Chris Phelan 22 and Craig Hoskins 21.

The Lions' back-line also held up well led by Aaron Heal keeping Max Duffy to just the nine kicks and one goal while Wayde Twomey gave good drive out of defence with 21 possessions and eight marks, and Hayden Kennedy 19 touches.

West Perth came into the game without injured pair Chris Keunen and Kody Manning with Seva Mozhaev coming in to take over the rucking duties in his first game since Round 23, 2014. He finished with 57 hit outs and seven possessions.

Without Shane Nelson in the midfield, Subiaco put its attention into shutting down Aaron Black with Brett Mahoney tagging him closely all afternoon. Black still worked hard for 23 possessions, seven tackles and a goal. He's now kicked five goals in three games in 2016.

Captain Jay van Berlo was a tireless worker again for the Falcons with 25 possessions, 10 tackles, four inside-50 entries and two goals.

Aidan Lynch also racked up 27 disposals for West Perth, Trent Manzone 25 (eight inside 50s, five marks) and Andrew Strijk 21.

Michael Lourey kicked four goals from 10 possessions and five marks in attack with Keegan Knott also booting two majors.

Claremont started strongly against Perth at Lathlain Park with six goals to two in the first quarter but the Demons wore them down from there and with four goals to one in the last term ran away with the 17-point victory.

Perth's midfield found plenty of the ball and worked its way on top the longer the game went led by Liam McKenna who finished the afternoon with 28 possessions, seven inside-50 entries and two goals.

Clint Jones backed up his 45 disposals on debut for Perth with another strong performance with 29 touches and six tackles with Sandover Medallist Aidan Tropiano backing up from an injury interrupted opening to the season with 23 possessions and six tackles.

Julian Jacobs gave good drive largely off half-back for Perth with 28 possessions while also down back 100-gamer Aaron Zucconi did well holding Beau Maister to five kicks and two goals and Jared Bell limited Jack Bradshaw to just the one behind.

Perth also found some options in attack with Brennan Stack stepping up to kick three goals while Callum Walley and Spencer White booted two apiece.

Claremont was coming off a 76-point Round 1 win over East Perth and then the bye, and started strongly couldn’t keep it going in a second half fadeout reminiscent of what did become a trend for the Tigers throughout 2015 even though they managed to play finals.

Jye Bolton was recruited to Claremont from the VFL to be a prolific midfielder and that's exactly what he did on Saturday with 32 possessions, 13 marks, six tackles and six inside-50 entries.

Matthew Davies was outstanding setting up things for the Tigers out of the back-line with 29 disposals and 11 marks while Ryan Neates gathered 25 touches, Jake Murphy 22, Keifer Yu 20, Tom Ledger 20 and Jared Hardisty 20.

Oliver Tate spent most of 2015 setting up play for Claremont off half-back but he got forward on Saturday with good effect for three goals from 18 possessions.

Beau Maister and Darcy Cameron kicked two goals each for the Tigers while Mitch Andrews had 35 hit outs in the ruck.

And at Steel Blue Oval, Swan Districts' tough start to 2016 continued with a 52-point loss to Peel that could have been significantly more had the Thunder not kicked 28 behinds.

Just a week after recording its lowest ever score of 2.6 (18), Swan Districts scored the second lowest ever total of 6.6 (42) against Peel since the Thunder entered the WAFL in 1997.

Peel won by 52 points but with 39 scoring shots to 12, 73 more possessions, 18 more marks, 49 hit outs to 21 and 61 inside 50s to 32 and that final margin perhaps didn’t fully explain their dominance.

The Thunder's forward-like of Matt Taberner and Tanner Smith looked dangerous with the former finishing with 25 possessions, 10 marks six inside 50s and two goals. The latter might have been held scoreless by Swans skipper Tallan Ames but still had 13 disposals and seven marks.

Matthew Uebergang provided another good target for Peel with 13 touches, eight marks and two goals while Darcy Tucker also kicked two majors from his 21 possessions and seven marks.

Rory O'Brien dominated through the midfield for the Thunder showing he has plenty left in the tank on return to the club he started his career with. He finished with 33 possessions, 11 marks and six inside-50 entries.

Jonathon Griffin took over the No. 1 ruck duties for Peel and ended the afternoon with 36 hit outs to go with 12 possessions while Brayden Lawler collected 25 disposals, Tendai Mzungu 25, Ethan Hughes 23, Brady Grey 23, Hayden Crozier 21, Brad Walsh 20 and Calvin Thorne 19.

It was a day short of too many positives for Swan Districts with Justin Simpson, Murray Newman and Nathan Blakely among those sorely missed.

Ricky Cary did manage to kick three goals from six tackles while laying seven tackles with Jake Nuich adding two goals.

Adam Faulkner worked had for 28 possessions and 12 marks for Swans while Graham Jetta had 26 disposals, Aaron Elari 21, Jesse Turner 20, Kirk Ugle 19, Jacob Burnham 18 and Tallan Ames 18 to go with seven marks.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
The reserves hit Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday afternoon with South Fremantle beating East Perth 12.11 (83) to 10.6 (66).

The Royals started strongly leading by 12 points at quarter-time and by 17 at the half but the Bulldogs took over after the main break with nine goals to four in the second half to win by 17 points.

Brandon Donaldson kicked three goals for South Fremantle with Kendall Mow, Traye Bennell and Tim Stewart all kicking two apiece.

Shaun Bewick had a field day racking up 36 possessions and eight marks with Jacob Dragovich collecting 28 disposals, James Laurino 27, Jacob Martinez 23, Jakeb Tartaglia 21, Brad McPhail 21, Billy Collier 19, Matthew Ah Siu 19 and Tim Stewart 18.

Beau Chatley kicked three goals for East Perth with Tom Omodei compiling 24 possessions, Corey Adamson 23, Shayne Hille 21, Tom Hodgson 20 and Jordan Snadden 20.

The reserves contest at HBF Arena then took place on Saturday with Subiaco beating West Perth 16.12 (108) to 11.5 (71).

West Perth did appear in control through the first half but Subiaco came home strong with 11 goals to three in the second half to win by 37 points.

Liam Ryan booted six goals from 10 kicks for Subiaco with Michael Braut, Hayden Yarran and Justin Joyce booting two apiece.

Joyce was outstanding with 34 possessions and 12 tackles and Matt Bogensperger racked up 40 disposals. Max Walters also had 28 touches for the Lions, Braden Fimmano 22, Simon Moore 20 and Ethan Burnett 19.

Shane Bonney, Mark Hamilton and Jordan Mills all kicked two goals each for West Perth while Mitch Peirce racked up 34 possessions, Scott Nelson 21, Nathan Alexandre 19 and Laine Rasmussen 19 to go with 11 tackles.

Michael Ashfield backed up from kicking the winning goal the previous week against Perth with a good game in the ruck for West Perth with 39 hit outs to go with eight possessions.

Claremont won its reserves clash with Perth on Saturday at Lathlain Park 13.16 (94) to 12.6 (78).

Jack Richardson booted three goals for the Tigers with Ben Higgs, Zac Langdon and Ashley Fitzgerald kicking two apiece.

Landon also had 30 possessions for Claremont, John Williams 26, Toby Plant 24, Morgan Davies 20 and Justin Speed 20.

Guy Piggott kicked five goals for Perth and Shaun Crane four to go with 21 possessions. Jarrad Irons picked up 25 touches for the Demons, Fraser Millar 24, Corey Byrne 22ad Kodie Fleay 20.

Swan Districts recorded a dominant 20.12 (132) to 5.7 (37) win over Peel Thunder at Steel Blue Oval.

Brody Sutton and Dylan Smith kicked three goals each for Swans with Albert Dean, Jason Daniels, Toby Kalimeris and Tyson Hodge all booting two apiece.

Dean amassed 25 possessions for the black-and-whites, Lindsay Murray 21, Brayden Hackett 18, Ethan Maguire 18 and Hodge 17 to go with 10 marks.

Mitch Gill collected 21 possessions for Peel, Keegan Power 20, Jamahl Mulholland 19 and Alexander Bray 16.

REDiMED COLTS RISING STARS
The RediMed Colts then opened the day on Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with South Fremantle defeating East Perth 13.7 (85) to 7.12 (54).

The Bulldogs got off to a fast start with four goals to two in the first quarter, and four to nil in the second to lead by 36 points at half-time and going on to win by 31.

Kyle Donaldson kicked three goals for South Fremantle and Mitch Dzelebdzic two and Jimmy Miller two.

Kyle Russell amassed 24 possessions, Zane Sumich 22, Deng Maguang 22, Daniel Burke 20 and Dylan Brown 20. Tim English was impressive in the ruck with 16 disposals, 23 hit outs and five marks.

Samuel Monkhouse kicked two goals for East Perth while Stan Wright racked up 40 possessions, Tarir Bayok 26, Matthew Young 23 and Alex Di Placido 22.

The colts contest took place at HBF Arena on Friday night with West Perth dominating Subiaco after a slow start to win 15.11 (101) to 4.7 (31).

The Lions kicked three goals to two in the first quarter but only managed one more major the rest of the night while the Falcons kicked 13 goals from that point to win by 70 points.

Zac Guadagnin, Oscar Allen, Eamon Gilbert, Jayden Hooper and Ewan Larmett all kicked two goals apiece for West Perth.

Liam Baker had a big game racking up 36 possessions while Brody Zanon collected 24 disposals, Joel Horgan 24, Guadagnin 22, Nick Marinovich 19 and Joel Bennett 17.

Aaron Breman, Fraser Foley, Daniel del Prete and Koby Fullgrabe were the goal kickers for Subiaco with Matthew Pannell gathering 18 disposals and Callum Bramley 17.

Perth and Claremont played out a thrilling colts contest at Lathlain Park with the Demons prevailing 12.6 (78) to 12.4 (76) on the back of four last quarter goals to two.

James Bereyne kicked three goals for Perth and Cody Kickett two and Blake Johnson two.

Quinton Narkle amassed 31 possessions for the Demons, Tom Gooch 21, Jayden Johnstone 19, Gordon Narrier 19, Trent Simpson 18 and Chris Leonard 17.

Lachlan Nicholas, Keanu Shandley and Chris Oakley all kicked two goals for Claremont with Bailey Banfield compiling 31 possessions, Bailey Bennett 21 and Jake Stergiou 18.

Swan Districts colts started the day well at Steel Blue Oval with a 13.16 (94) to 3.9 (27) victory over Peel Thunder.

Bradley Fullgrabe kicked three goals for Swans, Greg Humphries two and Taryce Stewart two.

Aidan Clarke picked up 30 possessions for the black-and-whites, Josh Cipro 29, Fullgrabe 18 and Lochie Huntley 17.

Jackson Capurso, Jack Larkins and Brett Milward kicked Peel's three goals with Michael Humble finishing with 26 possessions, Brandon Penny 23, Jackson Burkett 21, Jacob Perry 19, Cruze Wilson 19 and Alex Cohen 18.