Round 12 McDonald's WAFL Wrap UpWednesday, June 8, 2016 - 12:19 PM - by Chris Pike

THINGS tightened up significantly in the top five of the WAFL with the top two teams losing and those sitting in third, fourth and fifth positions all winning to leave just one game between all five of them following the WA Day Round.

The round was the final WAFL action prior to Saturday's state match against Tasmania at Steel Blue Oval.

The weekend's action began on Sunday at Domain Stadium with Peel Thunder defeating Subiaco in a thriller by kicking the last two goals, 11.8 (74) to 10.10 (70).

Then on WA Day, East Fremantle defeated South Fremantle 13.12 (90) to 6.15 (51) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, West Perth downed East Perth 11.9 (75) to 5.14 (44) at HBF Arena and Perth won the battle of the bottom two teams against Swan Districts, 11.20 (86) to 4.8 (32) at Steel Blue Oval.

The results leave South Fremantle (8-2) on top of the ladder but only percentage ahead of Subiaco (8-3). East Fremantle (7-4), Peel Thunder (7-4) and West Perth (7-4) are now all just one game behind.

East Perth (4-7) is three games further back followed by Claremont (3-7), Perth (3-7) and Swan Districts (1-10).

Click here for the summary of Round 12 of the WAFL 

TEAM OF THE WEEK (club, times named)
BACK: Aaron Heal (S, 4), Matthew Jupp (EF, 2), Blake Wilhelm (WP, 1)
HALF-BACK: Josh Cuneo (EF, 2), Tyler Keitel (WP, 5), Michael Sinclair (P, 3)
CENTRE: Liam McKenna (P, 2), Clint Jones (P, 6), Tim Bristow (EF, 3)
HALF-FORWARD: Aidan Lynch (WP, 1), Jack Perham (EF, 1), Gerald Ugle (PT, 2) 
FORWARD: Dylan Clarke (S, 2), Michael Lourey (WP, 2), Blair Bell (PT, 1)
RUCK: Angus Graham (P, 2), Shane Nelson (WP, 5), Matt de Boer (PT, 3)
INTERCHANGE: Dean Munns (WP, 2), Jesse Crichton (EF, 2), Tim Kelly (SF, 2), Patrick McGinnity (EP, 2)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK – CLINT JONES
Clint Jones has made an immediate and considerable impact this season on return to the WAFL in 2016 with Perth.

Jones had already had a tremendous WAFL and AFL career upon arrival as a premiership player and dual fairest and best winner at South Fremantle, and then going on to play 149 games for St Kilda including in three grand finals.

After a year playing in the VFL, he returned home to Western Australia in 2016 and has joined Perth, and provided outstanding performance in the midfield and leadership for a Demons team who have already won more games this year than in all of 2015.

Jones is averaging 34.8 possessions a game and has not had less than 29 in any of his 10 matches for the Demons in 2016. Again on Monday, he had 35 possessions in Perth's win over Swan Districts and he is now a lock to represent WA in Saturday's state match against Tasmania back at Steel Blue Oval.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
On top of kicking the winning goal against Subiaco, Blair Bell had a strong game for Peel as a bustling and lively half-forward. The eighth-gamer from Mandurah finished the afternoon with 19 possessions, seven marks, five inside-50 entries and three goals.

Fremantle's Matt de Boer worked hard to try and force his way back into the AFL line-up. He starred in Peel's midfield racking up 36 possessions to go with eight tackles, six marks and four inside 50s.

Tendai Mzungu also lined up for the Thunder and ended up with 21 disposals but it was his poise with the game on the line that was most important.

Brad Walsh worked hard for 22 touches for Peel while captain Gerald Ugle likely played his best game of the season despite being scoreless, finishing with 22 possessions with his left-foot kicking a highlight.

Rory O'Brien finished with 21 possessions and two goals for Peel with Jack Hannath also kicking two majors as did Brad McGowan.

Big man Zac Clarke worked hard in the ruck for 17 disposals, 37 hit outs, five marks and a goal.

Josh Deluca also gathered 19 possessions, Ed Langdon 19 and Tanner Smith 16 to go with 10 marks in a fascinating duel at full-back on Hamish Shepheard.

Speaking of Shepheard, he worked hard for Subiaco ending up with 17 possessions, nine hit outs, eight marks and a goal. Dylan Clarke had another good showing for the Lions with three goals from 13 kicks while Hayden Yarran made the most of his chances kicking two good goals.

Aaron Heal was outstanding defensively for Subiaco and had 18 possessions and seven marks in the back-line.

Captain Kyal Horsley didn’t stop trying for the Lions finishing with 23 disposals and 11 tackles while Leigh Kitchin gathered 22 touches, Chris Phelan 21, Simon Moore 19 and Greg Clark 17.

East Fremantle bounced back from a loss to Peel Thunder to be impressive in beating South Fremantle by 39 points in the WA Day Foundation Derby. By doing so, the Sharks made it a sixth straight win at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with the last 13 Fremantle derbies now won by the visiting team.

Despite the Sharks missing key players George Hampson, Cameron Eardley and Jayden Schofield, and with Brock O'Brien well held in a role in the forward-line, it was a tremendously strong performance with players stepping up.

Jack Perham was the best example of that delivering what was likely his most impressive game of an 83-game career. He might have had more of the ball and kicked more goals in games before, but never has he looked as composed and played with such presence. He finished with 18 possessions, eight marks and three goals.

Captain Jamie McNamara also kicked two goals for East Fremantle as did Matthew Watson while Brett Peake continued his outstanding goal kicking season with three majors.

Tim Bristow gave the Sharks tremendous run from the wing all afternoon ending up with 24 possessions while Liam Anthony gathered 23 disposals, Mitch Boyle 23, James Harrold 17, Miles Franklin 17 and Sean Henson 17.

Jesse Crichton sacrificed his own game and had just three possessions but by limiting Ashton Hams to just 11 he had as big an impact in East Fremantle's win as anybody.

East Fremantle's back-line was outstanding with Matthew Jupp holding Ben Saunders goalless while Josh Cuneo had 19 touches and a goal, and Ryan Lester-Smith 19 touches and Andrew Stephen 18.

Tim Kelly worked hard as he has all season in the midfield for South Fremantle and finished the afternoon with 26 possessions, six marks and five inside-50 entries to all but secure his place in Saturday's state game against Tasmania.

Shane Hockey also tried valiantly in the midfield for the Bulldogs collecting 27 disposals while captain Ryan Cook finished with 23 touches and nine marks, Steven Verrier 19 possessions and two goals and Tim Stewart an impressive 17 touches and 12 tackles.

Mason Shaw kicked two goals from 16 possessions and six marks but Ben Saunders, Haiden Schloithe, Zac Strom, Steven Edwards and Jacob Dragovich were all goalless. Blaine Johnson kicked an early goal before going off with a hamstring injury before half-time.

Blayne Wilson had another good performance at centre half-back for South Fremantle and finished with 21 possessions and six marks.

Matthew Gundry and Adam McIntosh delivered good performances while Tom Vandeleur played his first league game of the season with Josh Pullman missing. He had a good battle with East Fremantle's Matthew Watson who kicked two goals but had just five kicks.

A strong crowd of 3901 turned out to HBF Arena for the Channel 9 WA Day Derby to brave the tough conditions and those in red and blue certainly went home happy.

Shane Nelson delivered another outstanding performance for West Perth. After missing the first five games of the season, his last six performances have been nothing short of remarkable.

Again on Monday he had 42 possessions, seven marks and seven tackles in a showing that should guarantee him a place in the WAFL state side against Tasmania on Saturday after being the last player cut last year against South Australia.

Aidan Lynch also had a strong day for West Perth with three goals to go with 23 possessions and nine tackles while Michael Lourey kicked four goals, including the Falcons' only three in the last quarter.

Aaron Black kicked the first goal of the game and went on to finish with 27 possessions, seven marks, five tackles and four inside-50 entries.

Trent Manzone also racked up 32 disposals for the Falcons, Rohan Kerr 22, Drew Rohde 22 and Andrew Strijk 18.

West Perth's back-line was outstanding once again led by Tyler Keitel who finished with 29 possessions and 14 marks. Nick Rodda also had 15 disposals and eight marks while Blake Wilhelm finished with 23 touches, Luke Meadows 19 and Steven Browne 17.

East Perth fell to a third straight defeat to be three games out of the top five despite the best efforts of Patrick McGinnity in the midfield who finished with 30 possessions, nine inside-50 entries and seven marks.

Jackson Nelson also worked hard for 27 disposals, seven tackles and seven inside 50s.

Mitch Fraser battled hard as a small defender and had 22 possessions and nine marks with Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls kicking two second quarter goals.

Tom Gorter and Kurt Mutimer both came into the East Perth team and showed some encouraging signs. Gorter had 18 possessions and eight marks, and Mutimer 18 disposals, six tackles and five inside 50s.

Fraser McInnes tried hard for 19 touches, seven marks and a goal for East Perth with Tom Barrass and Mitch Brown also solid in key defensive roles.

Perth was in control from the outset of its WA Day clash with Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval going on to win by 54 points.

Again it was Perth's midfield that led the way with Clint Jones racking up another 35 possessions to go with 12 tackles. Liam McKenna also had 28 disposals, seven inside 50s and five marks, Aidan Tropiano 28 touches and five tackles and Julian Jacobs 18 possessions and seven inside-50 entries.

Ruckman Angus Graham dominated as well with 58 hit outs to go with 13 possessions with Swan Districts opting for the makeshift ruck combination of Tony Notte, Nelson Ansey, Tallan Ames and Tyson Hodge opposed to him.

Perth's midfield has been its strength all season though. Kicking goals has been a problem but the Demons tried some new things on Monday which paid off as Rowan Brookes kicked two goals from 17 possessions and five marks.

Sam Garstone kicked another two goals while Matt Thompson also booted two majors as did captain Dene White and first-year recruit Taran Etto to go with 18 possessions in the best game of his WAFL career.

Michael Sinclair was tremendous off half-back again for the Demons with 23 possessions and he got good support from Toby Gianatti, Jared Bell, Brent Edmonds and Lennon Marlin.

It was another tough day for Swan Districts with Adam Faulkner again working tirelessly on the back finishing with 31 possessions, six tackles and five marks.

Matt Riggio also gathered 25 disposals to go with five inside 50s and a goal for the black-and-whites with Freddie Clutterbuck picking up 26 touches, nine marks and seven tackles.

Jesse Turner finished with 22 possessions and seven tackles for Swan Districts with Albert Dean contributing 19 disposals, Todd Banfield 19 and Justin Simpson 19.

Matthew Rogers kicked two goals against his former team.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
The reserves then played in the lead in to the Foundation Derby at Fremantle Community Bank with South Fremantle winning 14.16 (100) to 12.7 (79) despite the Sharks kicking five goals to one in the fourth quarter.

Jacob Martinez put his hand up for a league recall following the state game break with 21 possessions and 10 tackles.

Shaun Bewick racked up another 31 disposals for the Bulldogs, James Laurino 25, Brendan Verrier 23, Billy Collier 20, Bailey Matera 19 and ruckman Josh Branchi 17 to go with 29 hit outs and six marks.

Zephaniah Skinner played his second game with South Fremantle and showed some good signs in his nine possessions, three tackles and a goal.

Jacob Green kicked four goals and picked up 23 possessions for East Fremantle with Adrian Ricciardello and Jeff Carter both kicking two goals.

Tom Marshall gathered 22 disposals for the Sharks, Aiden Anthony 21, Josh Simpson 20 and Jake Schleicher 19.

East Perth's reserves recorded a 14.14 (98) to 5.5 (35) victory over West Perth at HBF Arena on WA Day.

Lewis Wilson kicked three goals for East Perth, Tom Curtin two and Asher Samelko two.

Brant Colledge responded to being dropped by racking up 33 possessions with Will Young gathering 23 disposals, Tom Omodei 22, Luke Partington 21, Daniel Perkins 21, Julian Ameduri 20 and Matthew Allen 17 to go with eight marks and a goal.

Keegan Knott kicked two goals for West Perth to go with 16 possessions and five tackles. Max Alexander, Tyson Moulton and Nathan Alexandre's kicked the Falcons' other three goals.

Mitch Peirce gathered 25 possessions for West Perth while Shane Bonney had 18 disposals, Kael Coleman 16, Matt Johnson 15 and Mitch Antonio 15. Chris Keunen had 42 hit outs in the ruck in his third game back from injury.

Swan Districts won a thrilling reserves game at Steel Blue Oval beating Perth 9.9 (63) to 9.8 (62).

Ethan Maguire kicked two goals for Swans to go with 27 possessions while Ben Whitsed racked up 39 disposals, Jacob Coniglio 26, Ben Holman 26, Josh Cipro 24, Lindsay Murray 23 and ruckman Troy Yukich 17 to go with 49 hit outs, six marks and five tackles.

Kurtis Chester racked up 29 possessions for Perth, Ashley Boyes 27, Todd Stevenson 25, Shaun Crane 20 and Corey Byrne 18.

REDiMED COLTS RISING STARS
The RediMed Colts clash did go ahead as planned on Saturday at Medibank Stadium with Peel Thunder beating Subiaco 8.8 (56) to 2.11 (23).

Noah Hura kicked two goals for Peel to go with 25 possessions while Michael Humble returned from making his league debut last week against East Fremantle by delivering 32 disposals and a goal.

Aaron Naughton also collected 19 possessions for the Thunder, Jacob Perry 18, Jake Read 17, Kyle Havelberg and Cruze Wilson 17.

Wyvern McDiarmid and Ashton Williamson were Subiaco's goal scorers. Williamson worked hard in the ruck for 17 possessions, seven marks and 27 hit outs

McKenzie Lawrence also had 25 disposals for the Lions, Jack Beverley 24, Jacob Miller 23, Liam Catalfamo 17, Luke Foley 17 and Sheldon Cooper 17.

The RediMed Colts clash opened the Foundation Derby WA Day at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with South Fremantle defeating East Fremantle 12.5 (77) to 6.7 (43).

Daniel Burke and Jimmy Miller kicked two goals for South Fremantle while Dylan Brown racked up 28 possessions to go with eight tackles, five marks and a goal.

Burke also picked up 20 disposals for the Bulldogs, Deng Maguang 18, Bruno Faulkner 16, Caleb Datson 15, Brodee Knight 15, Miller 15 and Chad Pearson 15. Jacob Warne finished with 34 hit outs in the ruck.

Drew Blurton kicked two goals for East Fremantle with Matthew Burton gathering 21 possessions, Jayden Quill 19, Ben Harding 17, Corey Holmes 17, Liam Rajanayagam 17 and Dwayne Nevill 16.

East Perth's colts opened the WA Day Derby at HBF Arena with a 15.8 (98) to 7.5 (47) victory over West Perth.

Eric Bashemule kicked four goals for East Perth, Connor De Campo two, Tarir Bayok and Sam East two.

Ben Miller finished with 27 possessions for the Royals, Mitch Dobson 21, Bashemule 16, Ethan Christofis 16 and De Campo 16.

Alec Johnson and Kurt Hindmarsh kicked two goals each for West Perth with Joel Horgan racking up 26 possessions to go with eight tackles, five marks and four inside-50 entries.

Zac Guadagnin also finished with 19 disposals for the Falcons, Nick Marinovich 18, Brayden Thompson 17 and ruckman Oscar Allen 13 to go with 45 hit outs and seven entries inside the forward 50.

Swan Districts' colts also won a close contest over Perth at Steel Blue Oval winning 8.8 (56) to 7.10 (52).

Lochie Huntley booted two goals and collected 21 possessions for Swans while Tobe Watson racked up 28 disposals, Mitch Price 19 and Tim Yorkshire 18.

Gordon Narrier finished with 20 possessions for Perth, Bradley Pattison 20, Chris Leonard 18 and Sam Perkusich 17.