Peel Thunder (3-2) improved to third ahead of East Perth (3-3) and Claremont (2-3). East Fremantle (2-3) sit sixth followed by West Perth (2-4), Swan Districts (1-5) and Perth (1-4).

Click here for the summary of Round 6 of the WAFL

BACK: Drew Rohde (WP, 1), Tallan Ames (SD, 2), Matthew Jupp (EF, 1)
HALF-BACK: Ethan Hughes (PT, 1), Tom Barrass (EP, 3), Blayne Wilson (SF, 4)
CENTRE: Jesse Crichton (EF, 1), Shane Nelson (WP, 1), Aaron Black (WP, 3)
HALF-FORWARD: Tom Lamb (EP, 3), Darcy Cameron (C, 3), Josh Simpson (EF, 1)
FORWARD: Ian Richardson (C, 1), Matthew Watson (EF, 1), Blaine Johnson (SF, 1)
RUCK: Tyler Keitel (WP, 2), Rory O'Brien (PT, 2), Matt Riggio (SD, 2)
INTERCHANGE: Connor Blakely (PT, 1), Ashton Hams (SF, 2), Steven Payne (EP, 2), Clint Jones (P, 4)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK – SHANE NELSON
Shane Nelson played his first game of the season for West Perth on Saturday and it takes a special player to come in off no preparation to put in a near best on ground performance to help his team to a badly needed victory.

Nelson fractured a finger that required surgery on the eve of the season and he made an earlier than expected return in Saturday's clash with Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval where he helped the Falcons to a crucial 23-point victory after a three-game losing slide.

The 22-year-old already is a premiership player and two-time fairest and best winner in his 82-game career, and he showed all of his skill and determination, and just how much he had been missed, with his performance on return on Saturday.

He finished with 29 possessions and formed a combination with good friend Aaron Black that was a huge factor in West Perth getting its second win of 2016.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
Claremont and Peel Thunder went neck and neck for three quarters at Medibank Stadium on Saturday, but it was Peel who kicked away with four goals to one in the final term to run out 21-point winners.

It was a strong, even performance from Peel but it was 205-game WAFL veteran Rory O'Brien who was the standout with 35 possessions, six marks, five inside-50 entries, four tackles and two crucial final quarter goals.

Josh Deluca also played his best game of the season for Peel with two goals from 18 disposals.

O'Brien had plenty of support in the midfield as well with Matt de Boer racking up 36 possessions to go with nine tackles, seven marks, seven inside 50s and a goal while Connor Blakely returned from injury for 29 disposals, seven marks, six inside-50 entries and a goal.

Tendai Mzungu also finished with 22 touches for the Thunder, Brad Walsh 19 and youngster Calvin Thorne 18.

Peel's defence stood tall also led by Ethan Hughes (23 possessions), Tanner Smith (22 disposals, 12 marks) and Josh Bootsma (17 touches, seven marks).

Darcy Cameron provided a strong presence in attack for Claremont delivering four goals from 14 touches and six strong marks. Ian Richardson was also lively for two goals from 18 possessions and eight marks while Haydn Busher returned from a couple of weeks in the reserves to boot two.

Jye Bolton continued his strong start to his WAFL career this year with another 24 possessions, 10 marks and six inside-50 entries in the midfield with Ryan Neates also finishing with 23 touches and 12 marks, Ryan Lim 22 disposals and seven tackles, and Jake Murphy 20 possessions.

Anton Hamp worked hard down back in the absence of Brandon Franz and finished with 18 possessions and nine marks while Matthew Davies was back to some more damaging form with 18 disposals off half-back.

For the third week in succession Perth failed to kick a first quarter goal against East Perth at Lathlain Park on Saturday. But this time the Demons fought back to only trail by two points at half-time before the Royals pulled away after the break to win by 44 for their third win on the trot.

Without Paul Johnson and Fraser McInnes in the mix as tall forwards and ruckmen, Jonathan Giles had to do the ruck duties solo up against Angus Graham and it proved a fascinating duel between two men with 102 games of AFL experience between them.

Giles finished with 17 possessions, six tackles, five marks, 33 hit outs and a goal for East Perth while Graham had 15 disposals, seven marks, 38 hit outs and a goal for Perth.

East Perth found plenty more avenues to goal, though, with Tom Lamb stepping up to boot five majors from 13 touches and eight marks while Matthew Allen, Patrick McGinnity and Luke Partington all booted two each.

East Perth also needed to find some more help in the midfield with Kane Lucas not playing and being up against a strong Perth on-ball brigade.

Corey Adamson continued his career-best form with another 26 possessions and eight marks while Mark Hutchings contributed 23 disposals and six tackles and Partington had it 19 times and McGinnity 19.

Steven Payne celebrated his 100th game for East Perth on the wing with a typically strong showing with 22 possessions while down back Kyle Anderson, Tom Barrass, Nathan Blee and Mitch Fraser were all strong performers.

Perth's midfield again worked tirelessly with Clint Jones racking up another 35 possessions, seven marks, five tackles and four inside 50s while Liam McKenna had 26 disposals, Aidan Tropiano 25 and Julian Jacobs 24.

Those four, along with ruckman Graham, are giving the Demons a chance in the middle but they aren’t quite getting enough help around them just yet in 2016.

Callum Walley was lively up forward with two goals from 13 possessions and five tackles while Jared Bell, Brent Latch and Michael Sinclair fought valiantly down back in the absence of Aaron Zucconi and David Johnston.

Following a tight first half, West Perth held Swan Districts goalless in the third quarter and kicked three majors themselves to set up the eventual 23-point victory.

The win improves West Perth to a 2-4 record on the season ahead of a trip to the club's country zoned town of Kulin to take on Claremont on Saturday.

Dual fairest and best winner and premiership player Shane Nelson was still expected to be at least a further week away following his wrist injury, but he made a surprise early return on Saturday and was outstanding with 29 possessions, five marks and five tackles.

In combination with him, Aaron Black continued his remarkable form to open 2016 with another 31 disposals, nine marks, six tackles, four inside-50 entries and a goal.

Michael Lourey kicked West Perth's first three goals of the game and Joel Leeson also booted three majors.

Coach Bill Monaghan made a statement at selection following last week's loss to East Perth with Max Alexander, Seva Mozhaev, Kris Shannon and Keegan Knott all relegated to the reserves.

That left the majority of the ruck duties to be done by Tyler Keitel in the absence of Chris Keunen and Mozhaev, and he was tremendous finishing with 22 possessions, six marks, 16 hit outs, nine inside-5 entries and a goal. Mark Hamilton gave him some solid support.

Former co-captain Luke Tedesco also returned after missing last week's derby against East Perth with Max Duffy also back from a hip strain to finish with 15 disposals, five marks and a goal.

West Perth also unearthed another impressive debutant with Dean Munns earning his opportunity and delivering a solid 14 possessions and five tackles.

The Falcons had plenty of other strong contributors with Trent Manzone gathering another 24 possessions and 10 marks in the midfield along with 20 touches to Rohan Kerr and 19 to Steve Potente against his old side.

While down back, Drew Rohde had 21 disposals, Luke Meadows 20 and Steven Browne 19.

With Ricky Cary and Murray Newman absent from the forward-line on top of Ryan Davis and Tim Geappen departing coming into 2016, Swans tried some different things in attack to try and kick a winning score.

Some of those worked too with Tony Notte playing deeper forward and kicking three goals from 16 possessions and seven marks while Alex Howard also spent time in attack and kicked two to go with 16 touches and seven marks. Third-gamer Brayden Hackett also kicked two.

Matt Riggio backed up his best game of the season the week before against Subiaco in the midfield with another 35 possessions and nine marks with Freddie Clutterbuck contributing 28 disposals, 13 marks and a goal.

Albert Dean finished with 24 possessions for Swans, Adam Faulkner 23, Jacob Coniglio 20, debutant Griffen Logue 19 and Graham Jetta 18.

Tallan Ames was tremendous at full-back while Justin Simpson was solid as ever with 25 possessions and eight marks.

South Fremantle returned to the top of the WAFL ladder after six rounds with a 5-0 record after beating East Fremantle by seven points setting up a tantalising clash this Saturday against the also undefeated Subiaco at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Bulldogs have also won their last seven games against the Sharks at East Fremantle Oval.

Ashton Hams had another tremendous game in the midfield for South Fremantle racking up 32 possessions while Tim Kelly delivered an outstanding second half ending the game with 18 disposals and seven tackles with his hardness at the contest a particular highlight.

Blayne Wilson was again a commanding presence at centre half-back with 25 possessions and nine marks and he got good defensive support from Adam Guglielmana (17 disposals), Matthew Gundry (17, one goal), Adam McIntosh (13), Josh Pullman (11) and Marlion Pickett (16).

Ben Saunders booted three goals up forward for the Bulldogs with Blaine Johnson, Schloithe and Steven Verrier booting two apiece.

Josh Branchi fought bravely in the ruck particularly in the second half and had 32 hit outs.

East Fremantle might have just fallen short of claiming the four points, but the performances of new arrivals for 2016 in Matthew Watson, Jesse Crichton and Josh Simpson would have excited all Sharks supporters.

East Fremantle has been crying out for a key forward to stand up and make a mark for much of his century, and when Watson was recruited from Carlton he was being thought capable of doing that.

He had a relatively quiet opening four games getting used to the WAFL but on Saturday but he showed just how pivotal he could be. He provided a real target, took eight strong marks, was a physical presence and most importantly, nailed all five of his attempts to finish with five goals on his powerful left boot.

Simpson has returned to East Fremantle this season and showed all of the tools that made Fremantle have faith that he could be an AFL star. He finished with 25 possessions, six marks and two goals, but it was his all-round game that stood out.

Simpson took a massive mark and converted for a goal just before half-time but he also ran and carried the ball well, worked hard defensively and was one of the stars of the afternoon.

Crichton is another player who previously did spend time playing with East Fremantle while on Fremantle's list and has returned in 2016. He spent almost the entire game on Saturday on the ball and delivered a tremendous, hard working performance with 27 possessions and five tackles.

Brett Peake also continued his goal kicking form with three more majors for East Fremantle to give him 15 for the season while Liam Anthony had 17 disposals, Brock O'Brien 17, Dion Anthony 17 and Jamie McNamara 15 in a good battle at half-back on Schloithe.

Matthew Jupp was also outstanding defensively holding Mason Shaw to the one goal after he kicked five the week before.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
Claremont's reserves defeated Peel Thunder 15.13 (103) to 10.16 (76) at Medibank Stadium with Alexander Manuel and Ben Higgs kicking three goals apiece. Higgs also had 25 possessions and 10 marks.

Tom Shanahan gathered 29 possessions for Claremont, Harrison Court 23, Morgan Davies 22, Luke Maddock 21 (13 marks) and Gerrick Weedon 18. Adam Speed had 12 touches, 36 hit outs and a goal in the ruck.

Luke Shepherd and Karl Collard kicked two goals apiece for Peel with Andrew Haydon collecting 18 possessions, Haydn Matthews 17 and Mitchell Wallace 16.

East Perth's reserves scored a 16.13 (109) to 11.6 (72) victory over Perth at Lathlain Park with Jake Jones booting three goals for the Royals, Jordan Snadden three, Lewis Wilson three, Asher Samelko two and Nathan Eaton two.

Tom Omodei had another strong game for East Perth with 29 possessions with Snadden finishing with 26 touches, Will Young 23, Agid Gardoud 21, Tom Gorter 18 and Tom Hodgson 18.

Matt Thompson kicked four goals for the Demons and Cody Leggett two with Leggett amassing 27 possessions, Fraser Millar 26, Sam Garstone 23 (12 marks), Jarrad Irons 22, Brad Keast 21, Shaun Crane 20 and Kieran Hug 19 (eight tackles).

West Perth was 16 points down with time running down but then kicked two quick goals to have a chance before falling four points short of Swan Districts.

Brody Sutton was impressive in attack for Swans with five goals from 15 possessions, eight marks and six tackles while Dylan Smith booted three majors.

Jesse Turner compiled 25 possessions for the black-and-whites, Ben Whitsed 19 and Warrick Wilson 17.

Mitch Antonio and Matt Johnson kicked three goals apiece for the Falcons while the former also had 21 possessions and seven marks, and the latter 22 disposals, 10 marks and six inside-50 entries. James Batterham also kicked two goals for West Perth.

Alexander Coe finished with 22 possessions as well for the Falcons, Scott Nelson 21, Shane Bonney 20, Kris Shannon 18 and Conal Lynch 17. Seva Mozhaev had 30 hit outs in the ruck.

South Fremantle's reserves remained undefeated after five games of the 2016 holding on against East Fremantle to win a thriller 10.15 (75) to 11.7 (73).

Jesse Mirco and Jordan Matera kicked three goals each for South Fremantle and Brandon Donaldson two.

Jake Florenca compiled another 25 possessions for the Bulldogs, James Laurino 24, Tim Stewart 24, Chris Luff 21, Jacob Dragovich 21, Jacob Martinez 21 and Donaldson 18.

Matthew Bannister, Fraser Perry and Jacob Green kicked two goals each for the Sharks with Julian Locantro picking up 29 possessions, Jake Schleicher 24, Tyler Chalwell 22, Miles Franklin 21, Tom Hooker 20, James Harrold 19 and Jesse Adamini 19.

REDiMED COLTS RISING STARS
Claremont's colts got off to a commanding start at Medibank Stadium beating Peel Thunder 19.15 (129) to 3.6 (24).

Chris Oakley booted five goals from 18 possessions and seven marks for the Tigers with Jake Waterman also booting five majors from 18 touches and seven marks. Caiden Curtin also kicked three goals and Keanu Shandley two.

Matt Guelfi racked up 30 disposals for Claremont, Bailey Banfield 28 (10 tackles), Jacob Sideris 21 and Josh Houwen 18 while Jeremy Goddard had 35 hit outs in the ruck.

Lachlan Mitchell, Brett Milward and Brandon Penny were Peel's goal scorers while Alex Cohen had 30 possessions, Michael Humble 21 and Jackson Capurso 20.

Perth's colts recorded a 14.11 (95) to 7.7 (49) victory over East Perth at Lathlain Park with James Bereyne kicking three goals for the Demons, Sam Perkusich two and Cody Ninyette two.

Quinton Narkle had an outstanding performance for Perth with 35 possessions with Bradley Pattison also gathering 28 disposals, Jayden Johnstone 22, John Levien 22, Kristian Morisey 22, Chris Leonard 19, Joseph Ugle 19 and Arnold Punch 19.

Matthew Young kicked two goals for the Royals while Mitch Dobson compiled 29 possessions, Sam Powell-Pepper 28, Alexander Michelon 21 and Alex Di Placido 21.

The colts started the day at Steel Blue Oval with Swan Districts defeating West Perth 12.8 (80) to 9.7 (61).

Tobe Watson kicked three goals for Swans while Aidan Clarke, Lochie Huntley and Greg Humphries booted two apiece.

John Shaw racked up 29 possessions, Clarke 27, Josh Cipro 26, Sachin Barr 21 and Taryce Stewart 19.

Kurt Monaghan kicked four goals for the Falcons from 16 possessions and eight marks with Alec Johnson booting two majors.

Liam Baker racked up 31 possessions for West Perth, Josh Rotham 22, Nick Marinovich 20, Joel Bennett 18, Tyrese Miller 17, Bailey Chalmers 16 and Josh Romanelli 16. Oscar Allen finished with 11 disposals, 29 hit outs and a goal in the ruck.

South Fremantle's colts bounced back from its first loss of the season last week against Perth by improving to a 4-1 record after beating East Fremantle 9.11 (65) to 6.8 (44) to open Anzac Derby day at ATOM Stadium.

Daniel Burke finished with 17 possessions, seven marks and two goals for the Bulldogs while Dylan Brown had 17 disposals, Shai Bolton 16 and Tim English 16 along with 32 hit outs.

Drew Blurton kicked two of East Fremantle's six goals with Corey Holmes gathering 21 possessions, Ben Harding 19, Jayden Quill 18 and Gabriel Parfitt 18. Lachlan Kleppe had 23 hit outs and a goal from the ruck.