NAIDOC Round McDonald's WAFL Wrap UpTuesday, July 12, 2016 - 8:36 PM - by Chris Pike

NAIDOC Round of the WAFL certainly wasn’t blessed with great weather but it did produce fascinating results with Claremont and Perth knocking off the top two teams, and arch rivals West Perth and East Perth winning to set up a tantalising derby this Saturday.

Some terribly wet weather greeted the WAFL clubs in action on Saturday as they celebrated NAIDOC Week by wearing specially designed Indigenous jumpers for the occasion.

Perth continued its strong resurgence by beating reigning premiers Subiaco 6.6 (42) to 4.3 (27) at Lathlain Park. The win is the third straight for the Demons, the first time they have done so since the opening three games of 2013.

Claremont scored the other upset of the day beating the second placed South Fremantle 11.3 (69) to 5.8 (38) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval for their fourth win of 2016 on the back of a seven-goal to nil first half.

West Perth made it nine wins in its last 10 matches kicking the last eight goals against Peel Thunder to win 8.7 (55) to 1.5 (11) at Bendigo Bank Stadium and East Perth proved too good for Swan Districts winning 8.10 (58) to 2.6 (18) at Steel Blue Oval.

The results leave Subiaco (11-4) and South Fremantle (10-4) still in the top two spots but with West Perth (10-5) now not far behind as the top three look secure.

There is then East Fremantle (7-7), East Perth (7-7), Peel Thunder (7-7) and Perth (6-8) fighting over the remaining two finals places ahead of Claremont (4-10) and Swan Districts (2-12).

Click here for the summary of Round 16 of the WAFL http://www.wafl.com.au/summary/16

TEAM OF THE WEEK (club, times named)
BACK: Ethan Hughes (PT, 3), Eric Mackenzie (EP, 2), Toby Gianatti (P, 3)
HALF-BACK: Lennon Marlin (P, 2), Tony Notte (SD, 1), Blake Wilhelm (WP, 2) 
CENTRE: Aaron Black (WP, 4), Chris Phelan (S, 5), Julian Jacobs (P, 4)
HALF-FORWARD: Ryan Lim (C, 2), Todd Stevenson (P, 1), Steve Potente (WP, 2)
FORWARD: Craig Wulff (EP, 3), Beau Maister (C, 1), Ian Richardson (C, 2)
RUCK: Paul Johnson (EP, 2), Jay van Berlo (WP, 3), Jack Redden (EP, 2)
INTERCHANGE: Jye Bolton (C, 5), Matt Riggio (SD, 3), Jacob Martinez (SF, 1), Joel Leeson (WP, 2)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Saturday's conditions were tailor made for players who love a tough, tight, physical and in-close game and that's exactly what suits West Perth captain Jay van Berlo.

Van Berlo is a strong and consistent performer in the midfield for the Falcons and he has been now for his 137-game career with the Falcons either side of his time with the Fremantle Dockers.

He has taken over the sole captaincy this year for the first time and been a strong performer in the midfield week after week.

He might not be averaging the 34 possessions of Shane Nelson or cutting off the opposition's best midfielders like Dean Munns, but he remains the heart and soul for the Falcons and he put in an outstanding performance on Saturday in the 44-point win over Peel Thunder.

Van Berlo finished the afternoon with 25 possessions, seven tackles, six inside-50 entries, four marks and one of just nine goals kicked in the game.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
West Perth dominated after quarter-time against Peel Thunder and Max Duffy was the only multiple goal scorer on the ground kicking two goals against the team he played with the last couple of years while with Fremantle.

Aaron Black, Andrew Strijk, Michael Lourey, Jay van Berlo, Steve Potente and James Batterham were the others to kick a goal in the horrible conditions for West Perth.

West Perth captain van Berlo was terrific all day with his hardness and poise in the weather a standout as he finished with 25 possessions, seven tackles, six inside-50 entries and a goal.

Shane Nelson continued his terrific form for the Falcons with another 33 possessions with Black working tirelessly for 32 disposals, six marks, five tackles and a goal.

Rohan Kerr also finished with 25 disposals, eight inside 50s and seven marks while Joel Leeson had 22 touches, Kris Shannon 19 and Potente 19. Dean Munns worked hard for 15 possessions and 14 tackles with Chris Keunen finishing with 17 disposals and 17 hit outs.

West Perth's back-line was outstanding led by Blake Wilhelm who had 29 possessions and nine marks. Tyler Keitel also finished with 26 disposals, Steven Browne 19, Drew Rohde 19 and Joe Morrow 14.

Peel's lone goal of the game came just before quarter-time through debutant Brett Milward who had 12 possessions for the day.

Veteran Rory O'Brien worked tirelessly for Peel with 30 possessions, 22 of which were handpasses as he tried valiantly to get his team going.

Josh Deluca continued his best form since being rookie-listed by Fremantle after the 2014 grand final win with Subiaco. He had another 26 possessions and six tackles on Saturday for the Thunder.

Matt De Boer also worked hard in the middle for Peel with 24 disposals and six tackles while Brayden Lawler had 20 touches and six tackles, Andrew Haydon 18 disposals and seven tackles, and Zac Clarke dominated the ruck with 16 possessions and 59 hit outs.

Ethan Hughes returned from injury to be a strong performer in the back-line for Peel finishing with 24 possessions and four tackles.

Claremont adjusted to the conditions on Saturday much quicker than South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval and the result was six goals to nil in the first quarter and the only goal in the second on the way to the 31-point victory.

In a day that was not cut out for forwards, Beau Maister stepped up for the Tigers in his best performance of the season and one of his best since returning to Claremont for the start of 2015 following three years with St Kilda.

Maister did having several big games last year including starring roles in wins over Perth and East Fremantle, and he recaptured his best on Saturday with three goals from 15 possessions, five marks, five hit outs and five inside-50 entries.

Ryan Lim was also outstanding through the middle for the Tigers in what was likely the best game of his 32-game career with 31 possessions, five marks and five tackles while Jye Bolton finished with 30 disposals and 12 tackles.

Captain Jake Murphy picked up 24 touches for Claremont, Keifer Yu 18 and Ian Richardson 16 to go with four tackles and two goals. Gerrick Weedon also kicked the opening two goals of the game in the first nine minute to give Claremont the fast start.

Claremont's back-line also stood tall led by Haydn Busher, Dylan Ross and Anton Hamp against South Fremantle's Ben Saunders, Blaine Johnson and Mason Shaw respectively.

South Fremantle was still missing Ashton Hams, Haiden Schloithe and Adam McIntosh with key defender Josh Pullman and ruckman Brock Higgins not coming up from the previous week's loss to East Perth.

That meant Zac Strom had to carry the ruck duties against Mitch Andrews and Darcy Cameron, and he worked hard for 24 possessions and 19 hit outs.

Shane Hockey was suited to the conditions and battled hard for the Bulldogs with 31 possessions and 12 tackles while Jacob Martinez stepped up with 25 disposals and eight tackles.

Jacob Dragovich also gathered 28 possessions for South Fremantle, Shaun Bewick 26, Brendan Verrier 25 and Tim Kelly 22.

Marlion Pickett was solid in the back-line for the Bulldogs moving on to Gerrick Weedon midway through the first quarter after he kicked two goals and held him to three kicks the rest of the day.

Tyson Pickett, Marlion's younger brother, also made his debut and was impressive in a difficult day for a small forward with a goal from 12 possessions and four tackles.

Ben Saunders kicked two goals for South Fremantle.

Perth scored its third straight win after holding Subiaco to one first half goal and just two for the opening three quarters with the Demons going on to win by 15 points to keep their season alive.

Making the win more impressive was the fact that Perth was missing gun ruckman Angus Graham with fellow recruit Spencer White kept to just one kick and captain Dene White along with emerging defender Jared Bell also sidelined.

Plenty of others stood tall for Perth and none more so than big men Todd Stevenson and Sam Garstone.

The pair split roles between the ruck and playing up forward for the Demons with Stevenson finishing with 21 possessions, six tackles and 40 hit outs, and Garstone 14 disposals, four marks and 20 hit outs.

Perth's midfield also worked hard even if Sandover Medallist Aidan Tropiano was quiet with just nine kicks but he worked hard laying 15 tackles. Clint Jones racked up another 26 possessions for the Demons, Julian Jacobs 23, Brett Wolfenden 19 and Liam McKenna 18.

Perth's back-line also held up strongly led by Brent Latch, Lennon Marlin, Toby Gianatti and Michael Sinclair.

Liam Ryan, Brett Robinson, Brett Mahoney and debutant Jeremy Woodley kicked Subiaco's four goals for the day.

Chris Phelan continued his outstanding form in the middle for the Lions with another 32 possessions to go with 12 tackles with Craig Hoskins also picking up 20 disposals, Greg Broughton 20 and Clancy Wheeler 17 to go with 16 hit outs.

East Perth proved too strong holding Swan Districts goalless for three quarters on the way to a 40-pont victory at Steel Blue Oval that gives the Royals three straight wins to move into the top five.

It was a good blend of East Perth's experienced WAFL players and AFL-listed players from West Coast who stood tall to lead the way in the victory as well.

Ruckman Paul Johnson was terrific with 21 possessions, eight tackles, 31 hit outs, seven inside-50 entries and a goal with Craig Wulff booting three goals from 15 touches.

Jack Redden delivered his second straight outstanding performance as well trying to break back into the Eagles team with 34 possessions and six tackles in the midfield.

Eric Mackenzie also had a second consecutive strong game holding Swan Districts forward Ricky Cary scoreless at full-back to go with 15 possessions himself.

Malcolm Karpany continued the best run of form in his career with another 23 possessions for East Perth with Corey Adamson gathering 23 disposals, Tom Cole 22, Tom Lamb 20, Kurt Mutimer 19 and Dom Sheed 18.

Simon Tunbridge continues to work his way back to form and fitness and kicked two goals from nine possessions and six tackles in the difficult conditions.

Swan Districts' two final quarter goals came from Matt Riggio and Rudy Riddoch.

It capped a terrific performance from Riggio who finished with 34 possessions and 10 tackles.

Tony Notte tried valiantly for Swans as well ending up with 32 disposals and nine marks.

Adam Faulkner also gathered 24 touches for the black-and-whites, Todd Banfield 21 and Freddie Clutterbuck in his second game against his old team. 

RESERVES STANDOUTS
Then in the reserves contest at Bendigo Bank Stadium, West Perth beat Peel Thunder 8.14 (62) to 4.7 (31).

Keegan Knott kicked four goals for the Falcons from 16 possessions while Liam Baker finished with 19 disposals and two goals in his first opportunity to play senior football.

Matt Johnson racked up 34 disposals for West Perth, Mitch Peirce 27, Mitch Antonio 27, Scott Nelson 25 and Shane Bonney 20.

Jakob Janzekovic, Jordan Adams, Ashley Eades and Noah Hura kicked Peel's four goals for the game while Haydn Matthews finished with 23 possessions, Chris Wrigley 22, Eades 20, Mitch Gill 19 and James Kirby 18 to go with 10 tackles.

Andrew Leroy worked hard in the ruck for 14 possessions and 33 hit outs while former South Fremantle small forward Traye Bennell played his first game with Peel and finished with 18 disposals and six tackles.

Then in the reserves contest at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, Claremont beat South Fremantle 11.8 (74) 2.12 (24).

Matthew Ehlers, Bailey Banfield and Matthew Davies all kicked two goals apiece for Claremont with Banfield also finishing with 24 possessions and seven tackles, and last year's fairest and best winner Davies 18 disposals.

Lachlan Martinis also had 22 possessions for the Tigers, Ben Musitano 21, Hugo Breakey 18, Harry Sinclair 18 and Morgan Davies 18.

The Bulldogs were without plenty of players required in the league team with a mounting injury toll and then ruckman Josh Branchi also went down injured early. He kicked one of South Fremantle's goals before he went off with Kendall Mow booting the other.

Dylan Main gathered 29 possessions for South Fremantle, Matthew Gundry 28, Matthew Ah Siu 27, Bailey Matera 25, Jesse Musika 21 and Jake Florenca 20.

Perth's reserves finished strongly at Lathlain Park with 2.8 in the final quarter to secure a draw with Subiaco, with the Demons finishing on 8.14 (62) and the Lions 9.8 (62).

Cody Ninyette impressed for Perth kicking three goals from his seven kicks while Jacob Payne racked up 32 possessions to move a step closer to his first league appearance of 2016.

Kurtis Chester also collected 25 disposals for the Demons, Fraser Millar 24, Kodie Fleay 22, Corey Byrne 18 and Sam McGillivray 18.

James Garcia booted three goals for Subiaco with Matt Bogensperger amassing 22 possessions, Max Walters 20, Ryan Wade 18 and Ryan Vermeersch 17.

East Perth's reserves scored a comfortable 9.12 (66) to 3.6 (24) victory over Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval.

Sam Powell-Pepper kicked two goals from 18 possessions and six inside-50 entries for East Perth after a strong WA State 18s campaign.

Daniel Perkins amassed 29 possessions for the Royals, Luke Partington 26, Will Young 23, Julian Ameduri 23, Will Maginness 22, Tom Hodgson 22, Callum Hart 19, David Roche 18, Phil Roberts 18 and Alex Ridley 18.

Jackson Slater, Tim Yorkshire and Aidan Clarke were the three goal scorers for Swan Districts with Ben Holman finishing with 28 possessions, Jacob Coniglio 21, Ben Gillard 21 and Slater 20.

REDiMED COLTS RISING STARS
The colts contest began the day at Bendigo Bank Stadium with Peel Thunder beating West Perth 11.17 (83) to 8.12 (60).

Deakin Stein was a dominant presence in the forward-line for Peel kicking 4.5 from 16 possessions.

Michael Humble gathered 25 disposals for the Thunder, Jakeb Shine 20 and Damon Cramer 19.

Brody Zanon impressed for the Falcons finishing with four goals from 10 kicks with Nick Marinovich, Kurt Monaghan, Slade Hawkins and Bailey Chalmers the other goal scorers.

Baylee James collected 25 possessions for West Perth, Connor West 21, Zac Guadagnin 20, Joel Horgan 19 and Brayden Thompson 19. Eamon Gilbert finished with 15 touches and 20 hit outs.

The day began at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with South Fremantle's colts beating Claremont 9.9 (63) to 8.10 (58).

The Tigers led by three points at three quarter-time but the Bulldogs kicked three goals to one in the final term to win by five points.

Shai Bolton returned from his time with the WA State 18s by kicking three goals for South Fremantle to go with 16 possessions and five marks.

Jimmy Miller also had a strong performance for the Bulldogs with 21 disposals, five marks, 21 hit outs and two goals.

Daniel Burke also gathered 19 touches for South Fremantle, Tim English 19 (nine marks, 27 hit outs), Chad Pearson 19, Kyle Russell 17 and Boyd Woods 17.

Dylan Wallam kicked two goals for Claremont while Tyson England gathered 29 possessions, Jake Waterman 24, Sam Petrevski-Seton 24, Josh Houwen 23, Jack Blaauw 21, Declan Hardisty 20 and Sebastian Bentley 20.

Perth's colts began their day well at Lathlain Park beating Subiaco 16.12 (108) to 9.9 (63).

Josh Burke was terrific up forward for Perth with four goals from 16 possessions and six marks while Trent Simpson kicked three goals, Blake Johnson three and Lindsay Martin two.

Chris Leonard picked up 25 disposals for the Demons, Tom Gooch 25, Jayden Johnstone 23, Johnson 20, Arnold Punch 18 and Cody Kickett 17.

Christian Martin kicked four goals for Subiaco and Luke Foley two while Aaron Breman compiled 22 possessions, Nicholas Baroni 20, Max Dennis 18, Jarrod Turner 17 and Foley 17.

Swan Districts colts defeated East Perth 10.6 (66) to 6.4 (40) at Steel Blue Oval.

Thomas Whittle kicked three goals for Swans, Lochie Huntley two and Joseph Hinder two.

Huntley also racked up 27 possessions for the black-and-whites, Taryce Stewart 20, Gregory Humphries 19 and Stephen Hodder 18.

Giles Dent also had 17 touches, seven marks and 16 hit outs in the ruck.

Kobe Chrisp collected 27 possessions for East Perth, Stan Wright 26, Ben Miller 23, Mitch Dobson 21, Nelson Waite 20, Connor De Campo 20, Matthew Young 17 and Nathan Arbon 17