Saturday Round 7 McDonald's WAFL ResultsSaturday, April 30, 2016 - 10:56 PM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO flexed its muscles as the WAFL team to beat in 2016 winning its top of the table clash on Saturday over South Fremantle while Peel Thunder and West Perth also scored impressive Round 7 victories.

South Fremantle and Subiaco had both won their opening five matches of the season heading into Saturday's clash at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, but the Lions were in control most of the afternoon.

The Bulldogs did close to within two points early in the last quarter but the Lions kicked away again to win 15.16 (106) to 10.15 (75).

The other two matches on Saturday saw West Perth win a thriller 15.11 (101) to 15.4 (94) over Claremont in Kulin while Peel Thunder proved too good for Perth winning 19.9 (123) to 7.4 (46) at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

Round 7 will conclude on Sunday when East Perth takes on East Fremantle at Medibank Stadium with bounce down set for 12.10pm.

The most anticipated clash of the season to date took place between the two undefeated sides at Fremantle Community Bank Oval when the Bulldogs hosted the Lions.

Subiaco made a statement early with the first three goals of the game, including two to former Bulldog Ben Sokol, and then by just before half-time the Lions were well on top leading by 37 points.

South Fremantle did come out a different outfit after half-time kicking the only four goals of the third quarter and then when Marlion Pickett kicked truly to start the final term it was game on and the Lions lead was just two points.

But Subiaco steadied impressively to show why they are going to be hard to stop from winning a third straight premiership. The Lions kicked the next four goals to set up the eventual 31-point victory that is their 11th straight.

Sokol had a day out in his first chance to play against the club he played in a colts and reserves premiership with, along with making 11 league appearances the past two years.

The lively forward was a nightmare for South Fremantle's defence finishing with seven goals from nine kicks and eight marks. Hamish Shepheard also kicked three goals for Subiaco.

Subiaco big men Clancy Wheeler (24 possessions, 20 hit outs, one goal) and Lachlan Delahunty (23 touches, 11 hit outs) were again impressive while Leigh Kitchin racked up 27 possessions, Adam Cockie 23, Brett Robinson 22, Chris Phelan 21 and Kyal Horsley 20.

The Lions' defence was outstanding led by Declan Jackson on Mason Shaw, Aaron Heal on Ben Saunders and Joel Latham on Steven Edwards. All three dangerous Bulldogs forwards were goalless while Hayden Kennedy gave good drive with 22 possessions.

Jacob Dragovich broke into the South Fremantle team for the first time this season and kicked three goals with Blaine Johnson chipping in with two.

Shane Hockey was the Bulldogs' best performer over the four quarters finishing with 24 possessions, six marks, six tackles and five inside-50 entries.

Ashton Hams was well held by Brett Mahoney in the first half but did well in the second half off half-back finishing with 26 possessions with Marlion Pickett dangerous in attack after half-time ending up with 18 touches, seven marks, 10 tackles and a goal.

Steven Verrier also had 19 disposals for the Bulldogs, Adam McIntosh 18 and Matthew Gundry 17.

West Perth and Claremont took part in the first country game of 2016 in Kulin and put on a tremendous contest for the locals.

Little separated the two teams all afternoon as they both searched for their third victory of the season.

The biggest margin was West Perth's 20-point advantage just before half-time but Claremont hit back hard just before the break with the last four goals of the half to lead by four points.

Claremont then made it five goals in succession when Beau Maister kicked his third to start the third term but goals to Joel Leeson and Kody Manning put West Perth back in front.

Again Claremont responded courtesy of Ian Richardson, Jack Richardson and Darcy Cameron before three quarter-time to lead by nine points despite Leeson kicking his second for the Falcons.

The Tigers again kicked the first major of the last term when Cameron booted his fourth and they lead by 14 points, but the Falcons weren’t going away.

Leeson booted his third, Manning his second and then Leeson his fourth to see West Perth regain the lead but Claremont levelled scores at the 25-minute mark through ex-Falcon Mitch Andrews.

West Perth would score the last seven points of the game, including a goal to Michael Lourey, and that's the margin the Falcons won by.

Strijk finished with four goals for West Perth, all up until the 15-minute of the second quarter while Leeson also booted four all of which came in the second half. Manning returned for his first game since Round 2 following a leg injury to kick two goals from 19 possessions.

Shane Nelson continued his stunning return off injury racking up 36 possessions in his second game back for West Perth with Luke Meadows also compiling 33 disposals, Rohan Kerr 30, Jay van Berlo 28, Trent Manzone 27, Aaron Black 26 and Aidan Lynch 21.

Cameron booted four goals from 15 possessions and seven marks for Claremont while Maister kicked three majors and Ryan Neates two.

Keifer Yu and Tom Ledger were Claremont's leading ball winners with 20 possessions apiece while Jared Hardisty gathered 18 disposals, Neates 18 and Jack Bradshaw 17.

The other game on Saturday saw Peel host Perth in Mandurah, and it was the Thunder cruising to a 77-point victory to improve them to a 4-2 record on the season and to be consolidated in third position.

It is Perth's fourth straight loss following an impressive Round 3 victory coming from behind against Claremont.

Seven goals to two in the opening quarter set up the big win for the Thunder and they ended up leading by 28 points at quarter-time, 53 at half-time, 50 at three quarter-time and 77 by the final siren.

Shane Yarran made his first appearance for Peel and of 2016 following a knee injury with the two-time Subiaco premiership forward impressing with three goals from eight kicks.

Gerald Ugle, Nick Suban and Matthew Uebergang all kicked three goals as well for Peel, and Matt de Boer two to go with 24 possessions and 10 tackles.

Clancee Pearce made a strong return after being dropped by Fremantle racking up 30 possessions to go with 11 marks while Garrick Ibbotson responded with 22 disposals, nine marks and five tackles.

Tanner Smith continued to press his claims for an AFL call up with 25 possessions, 12 marks and a goal while Jack Hannath was good in the ruck with 14 disposals, nine marks and 42 hit outs up against Angus Graham who had 11 touches, 33 hit outs and a goal for the Demons.

Ed Langdon also picked up 25 possessions for the Thunder, Suban 22, Ethan Hughes 20, Brad Walsh 19 and Josh Deluca 18.

Marshall Jones kicked two goals from three kicks for Perth while Clint Jones amassed 30 possessions, Liam McKenna 26, Michael Sinclair 25 and Brett Wolfenden 20.

SATURDAY ROUND 7 McDONALD'S WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
South Fremantle 10.15 (75) lost to Subiaco 15.16 (106)
West Perth 15.11 (101) defeated Claremont 15.4 (94)
Peel Thunder 19.9 (123) defeated Perth 7.4 (46)

RESERVES
South Fremantle 12.16 (88) lost to Subiaco 15.7 (97)
Peel Thunder 11.7 (73) lost to Perth 19.12 (126)

REDiMED COLTS
South Fremantle 15.13 (103) defeated Subiaco 6.13 (95)
Peel Thunder 8.7 (55) lost to Perth 14.11 (95)