McDonald's WAFL Round 7 PreviewFriday, April 29, 2016 - 1:06 PM - by Chris Pike

ROUND 7 of the 2016 McDonald's WAFL Premiership Season is highlighted by Saturday's battle of the undefeated teams South Fremantle and Subiaco while on Sunday there's plenty at stake in the televised contest between East Perth and East Fremantle.

There will be three matches on Saturday afternoon with the standout fixture featuring South Fremantle against Subiaco at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with neither team having tasted defeat so far in 2016 after five matches.

The two other matches on Saturday see Peel Thunder host Perth at Bendigo Bank Stadium while West Perth takes on Claremont in Kulin.

Then on Sunday, East Perth plays East Fremantle at Medibank Stadium while Swan Districts has the bye.

SOUTH FREMANTLE (5-0, 1st) v SUBIACO (5-0, 2nd) – FREMANTLE COMMUNITY BANK OVAL, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams 
Broadcast – 720 ABC Perth, KIX Digital

South Fremantle and Subiaco have both made unbeaten starts to the 2016 season and put those perfect records on the line when they meet at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Subiaco is coming off winning the last two premierships and it's no surprise to see the Lions win their opening five matches against Peel Thunder, East Perth, West Perth, Perth and Swan Districts by an average of 34 points.

But for South Fremantle, the Bulldogs are attempting to make the finals for the first time since 2011 and they have been supremely impressive in victories over West Perth, Swan Districts, East Perth and Perth, and then a heart stopping seven-point win over East Fremantle in the Anzac Derby.

Ever since South Fremantle beat Subiaco in the 2009 grand final, the Lions have won 12 of the 17 games against the Bulldogs including all three last year by an average of almost 52 points.

Playing at Fremantle Community Bank Oval also holds no fears for Subiaco with the Lions having won four of their last five, and seven of the last 10 visits to the port.

The game will have fascinating match ups all over the ground but none more so than the midfield with South Fremantle's Ashton Hams, Shane Hockey, Tim Kelly and Steven Verrier up against Subiaco's Leigh Kitchin, Adam Cockie, Chris Phelan and Kyal Horsley.

Both teams feature damaging half-forwards with Haiden Schloithe and Ryan Cook in tremendous form for the Bulldogs as is Brett Robinson for Swans.

Subiaco's Hamish Shepheard (13 goals) and South Fremantle's Ben Saunders (15) and Mason Shaw (11) could also have a significant say in the final results as well, as will the respective defensive units to try to stop their opposition scoring.

After six rounds, South Fremantle has the best attack and defence in the competition averaging a score of 101 points and conceding just 55. But Subiaco isn’t far behind averaging 96 points and conceding just 62.

Interestingly, South Fremantle has dominated first, second and fourth quarters of their matches across the season outscoring their opponents by at least an average of 11 points. But in third terms they have only outscored their opponents by 11 points over five matches while that is Subiaco's best quarter having outscored their rivals by 82 points in five games.

South Fremantle has only made two changes to its team throughout the first five games and that saw Bailey Matera replace Jacob Martinez in Round 3, and then last week for the Anzac Derby Shaun Bewick took the place in the Bulldogs team of Matera.

There will be at least one change this week too ahead of the clash with Subiaco with hard-running wingman Brendan Verrier pulling up sore after copping a knock in last Saturday's derby win over East Fremantle.

Jacob Dragovich, Jake Florenca, Tim Stewart and James Laurino are all in contention to take his place and for whoever gets the nod it will be their first appearance of the season in the league side.

Florenca continues to make a strong case for his debut after another 25 possessions and five tackles in last week's two-point win over East Fremantle that kept South Fremantle's reserves undefeated just like the league side.

Dragovich had a tremendous 2015 season cementing a spot in the league side but an interrupted pre-season meant he hasn’t been able to break in yet in 2016, but he continues to play well in the reserves after another 21 possessions and six marks last week.

Stewart also finished 2015 making his league debut and keeps leading the midfield in the reserves with 25 possessions last Saturday while Laurino had another 24 disposals as well.

There is continued pressure on for spots at South Fremantle, though, especially with Brock Higgins, Chris Luff and Martinez all now back playing in the reserves and former Western Bulldogs player Zephaniah Skinner having started training with the club this week.

Subiaco is coming off the bye following a solid 39-point win over Swan Districts but the week off hasn’t helped two important players get themselves right to take on South Fremantle on Saturday.

Defender Jordan Lockyer has been in outstanding form to start the season but he is out of the team for the Lions and it's not good timing with Subiaco needing to find match ups for South Fremantle forwards Ben Saunders, Mason Shaw and Zac Strom.

Dangerous forward Kyle Halligan is also out of the Subiaco team having kicked five behinds against Swan Districts. That was his first game back from injury after kicking eight goals in the season's opening two rounds.

Premiership small defender Hayden Kennedy has overcome a leg injury to be right to return for Subiaco after missing the win over Swan Districts with Simon Moore, Rhys Waters, Liam Ryan and Nick Hay pushing for selection.

Two weeks ago in the reserves, Moore had 26 possessions and two goals, Waters 24 disposals, 11 marks and a goal, Hay 13 touches and five marks, and Ryan 13 possessions, six tackles and two goals.

WEST PERTH (2-4, 6th) v CLAREMONT (2-3, 5th) – FREEBAIRN RECREATION CENTRE (KULIN), SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams 

West Perth and Claremont head to Kulin to play the first County Sport Enrichment Scheme clash of 2016 and it's a crucial match for both clubs who played finals in 2015.

The Falcons and Tigers have both won two games through the opening six rounds of the season and the winner on Saturday should find themselves entrenched in the top five by the end of the round while the loser will have some hard work to do in coming weeks.

It will be the first time that Kulin has hosted a WAFL match as well but it is a town rich in history for West Perth with Simon Duckworth, Brayden Duckworth and Marc Crisp among those to have emerged from the region to have standout careers with the Falcons.

While famous for the Kulin Bush Races and the largest waterslide in regional WA, the new sporting facilities at Freebairn Recreation Centre will now provide another reason to visit the town and provide a terrific setting for a crucial WAFL match on Saturday.

West Perth is coming off its second win of the season last Saturday beating Swan Districts by 23 points to end a three-game losing slide following losses to Subiaco, East Fremantle and East Perth.

However, with a 2-4 record the Falcons can't afford too many more early season slip-ups making a win over Saturday crucial against Claremont.

The Tigers, meanwhile, also lost last Saturday against Peel Thunder to slip to a 2-3 record.

Getting off to a good start would be a priority for West Perth even more so against Claremont. The Tigers have dominated first quarters by 93 points in their five games this season while the Falcons have been outscored by an average of two goals in their six opening quarters.

The importance of a good start is emphasised by the fact that both teams have lost their last quarters convincingly throughout the season so far.

Just how seriously West Perth is taking the contest and the need for the four points that could see them end the round in the top five is the fact that 149-game former captain and premiership defender Luke Tedesco has been dropped for the trip to Kulin.

Tedesco made his return to the side last week in the win over Swan Districts after missing the previous week's loss to East Perth due to attending his sister's wedding.

And he was looking forward to making the trip to Kulin where he has fond memories of attending the races and for the chance to catch up with former teammates Marc Crisp and Brayden Duckworth.

And of course to celebrate his 150th game with West Perth to earn life membership, but that will be now on hold for at least a week with Tedesco to play in the reserves on Sunday at HBF Arena instead.

Mitch Peirce is also out of the West Perth team after the first two league games of what appears set to be a long career.

Following the return of Shane Nelson last week in the win over Swans, another premiership star Kody Manning is set to be back from injury this Saturday against Claremont in Kulin. He has been out with a leg injury since the Round 2 win over Perth but appears fit and ready to go for Saturday.

Ruckman Seva Mozhaev, small forward Keegan Knott and speedy utility Kris Shannon were all dropped to the reserves last week but come back into calculations this week, particularly Mozhaev to help battle Mitch Andrews and Darcy Cameron in the ruck from Claremont after Tyler Keitel did an outstanding job against inexperienced Swan Districts big man Troy Yukich.

Sam Rotham is another who could come into the West Perth team to help combat Claremont's tall forwards Cameron, Beau Maister and Haydn Busher.

Claremont looks set to be buoyed by the return of 125-game premiership defender Brandon Franz after he missed just the one week with a knee injury. His return will take the pressure off the back-line to try to find match ups for West Perth forward Michael Lourey, Nick Rodda and Mark Hamilton.

Justin Speed, Matthew Palfrey and Alexander Manuel have also put themselves in contention for selection at Claremont after solid reserves form.

Last week against Peel, Palfrey had 15 possessions, Manuel 15 disposals and three goals, and Speed 17 touches, 14 tackles and a goal.

Claremont will lose Oliver Tate not only for this week but seemingly forever with the classy utility deciding to accept a full-time job back in his hometown of Ballarat leading to his immediate departure.

He had started the season strongly with 16 possessions a game and five goals, including three against Perth in Round 3.

PEEL THUNDER (3-2, 3rd) v PERTH (1-4, 9th) – BENDIGO BANK STADIUM, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams 
Broadcast – 91.3 SportFM, 107.3 HFM

Peel Thunder is aiming for consecutive wins for the second time this season when hosting a Perth team on Saturday who desperately need to find some more competitive form after three tough defeats.

Peel finished strongly last week to beat Claremont by 21 points at Medibank Stadium to improve the Thunder to a 3-2 record on the season.

They can now further consolidate third position and remain in touch with whoever loses the clash of the undefeated teams between South Fremantle and Subiaco with a win at Bendigo Bank Stadium over the Demons.

Perth started the season in encouraging fashion playing strongly for a half before losing to West Perth and then coming from behind to beat Claremont by 17 points.

But since then the Demons have lost to Subiaco by 50, South Fremantle by 98 and East Perth by 44 points to have now won just three of their last 39 matches.

Perth has failed to kick a goal in the last three first quarters it has played in losses to the Lions, Bulldogs and Royals, and the Demons simply can't afford another slow start against the Thunder on Saturday if they are to be a chance to notch their second victory of the season.

Perth's job is sure to be made harder by Peel's strong recent record in the clashes between the two teams with the Thunder on a five-game winning run against the Demons. 

There is mixed news at selection for Peel coming off last Saturday's hard fought win over Claremont with Connor Blakely going out of that side after a terrific performance in the midfield. He looks set to play for Fremantle against Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.

Tendai Mzungu has also flown to Adelaide with the Dockers meaning he won't play with the Thunder on Saturday but fellow Fremantle emergencies Ed Langdon and Matt de Boer still should be right to take the field for Peel.

There is more good news for the Thunder with dropped Fremantle pair Garrick Ibbotson and Clancee Pearce to come back and play against Perth on Saturday. It will be Ibbotson's first WAFL game of the season and Pearce's second after he had 32 possessions in Round 1 against Subiaco.

Dual Subiaco premiership forward Shane Yarran will also play his first game for Peel following a knee injury.

He was drafted by Fremantle following his standout grand final performance for the Lions last year and now will be looking to instantly impress with Peel on Saturday to try and press his claims for an AFL debut with the struggling Dockers.

Josh Mathers, Ben Hancock, Andrew Haydon, Mitch Gill and Richard Wight are all in the mix after solid reserves form for Peel as well.

Last Saturday against Claremont, Mathers had nine possessions as a small defender, Hancock had 15 touches and seven tackles, Haydon 18 disposals and nine tackles, Gill 11 possessions and five tackles, and Wight nine touches.

With Spencer White still missing from Perth's forward-line, coach Earl Spalding has needed other forwards to step up to fill his void but Lachlan Dennis and Brennan Stack have paid the price for not doing that well enough.

The duo have only kicked a combined six goals so far this season and have found themselves dropped to the reserves against Peel on Saturday.

Cody Leggett could have booked himself back in the league side following two weeks in the reserves and a particularly impressive performance last Saturday against East Perth with 27 possessions, seven marks and two goals.

Matt Thompson and Fraser Millar are two more Perth players who could make their debuts with Thompson coming off four goals in the reserves last week, and Millar 26 possessions and six marks.

Sam McGillivray had 13 possessions and five marks in the reserves last week with Sam Garstone finishing with 23 disposals and 12 marks, and both could give the Demons some much-needed height and versatility on Saturday against Peel.

EAST PERTH (3-3, 4th) v EAST FREMANTLE (2-3, 6th) – MEDIBANK STADIUM, SUNDAY 12.10PM
Selected teams 
Broadcast – Channel 7

East Perth and East Fremantle do battle in another crucial clash on Sunday at Medibank Stadium as both teams jostle over positions in the bottom part of the top five.

The Royals started the season under new coach Jaymie Graham in horror fashion with big losses against Claremont (76 points), Subiaco (31) and South Fremantle (40) but things have dramatically improved since.

East Perth is now on a three-game winning run having defeated Peel by 30 points, West Perth by 60 and Perth by 44 to now be in fourth position and they will remain entrenched in the top five with another win over East Fremantle on Sunday.

The Sharks, meanwhile, started the season well with a 49-point win over Swan Districts and then were unlucky to lose to Peel by three points before beating West Perth by 50 points.

But East Fremantle has lost to Claremont and South Fremantle the past two weeks to now need a win on Sunday to avoid slipping to a 2-4 start to the season on the back of losing 12 of its last 13 games of 2015.

East Fremantle have started and finished games strongly so far this season with second quarters in particular letting the Sharks down, but for East Perth it has been the first halves causing the problem.

They have been outscored by a total of 76 points in first halves this season but outscored their opponents by 63 points after half-time.

East Perth has now strung together three strong wins after the slow start to the season and the team from last week's win over Perth to this one on Sunday against East Fremantle appears to be significantly stronger.

The Royals will be able to fully test East Fremantle's tall brigade with Paul Johnson returning from missing a rare game last week with Fraser McInnes also returning having to make way in the West Coast team for Scott Lycett who has served his one-week suspension.

With Johnson, McInnes and Jonathan Giles capable of sharing the duties in the ruck and as forward targets, East Fremantle will have its work cut out to try and stop the trio having a big say in the final result.

Tom Cole, Mark Hutchings and Patrick McGinnity have all been included in West Coast's extended squad to take on Collingwood at Domain Stadium on Sunday.

The trio are expected to remain emergencies, but that means one of them will be held over by the Eagles from playing for East Perth just in case while the other two will still play for the Royals against the Sharks.

East Perth will be further strengthened with the return of Xavier Ellis coming back from injury while Kane Lucas is also back to the midfield after being the travelling emergency for the Eagles last week after being elevated to the senior list. He has averaged 24 possessions a game up until then.

Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Agid Gardoud and Tom Omodei are all in the mix for selection for East Perth as well after some solid reserves last week against Perth.

There are no outs at this stage for East Fremantle from the team that fell seven points short in the Anzac Derby against South Fremantle last Saturday at ATOM Stadium.

However, Josh Cuneo, Miles Franklin, James Harrold and Josef Hebiton are all pushing for selection to take on East Perth on Sunday.

Last week in the reserves against South Fremantle, Cuneo had 15 possessions and seven marks, Franklin 21 disposals, Harrold 19 touches and seven marks, and Hebiton 10 possessions.