Round 18 McDonald's WAFL Wrap UpWednesday, July 27, 2016 - 1:58 AM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO moved clear on top of the WAFL with a Thursday night victory while Peel Thunder, East Perth and East Fremantle all won on Saturday to keep the battle for the final two top five positions a race in three.

Round 18 of the 2016 McDonald's WAFL Premiership Season got underway on Thursday night at Medibank Stadium with Subiaco defeating South Fremantle 10.9 (69) to 9.4 (58) in a battle of the top two teams.

Then on Saturday afternoon, Peel Thunder beat 10.12 (72) to 9.7 (61) in Cunderdin, East Perth defeated Claremont 9.6 (60) to 7.10 (52) at the Claremont Showground and East Fremantle downed Swan Districts 13.13 (91) to 11.7 (73) at Steel Blue Oval.

The results leave Subiaco (12-4) clear on top of the WAFL ladder ahead of South Fremantle (10-5) and West Perth (10-6).

Peel Thunder (9-7) remains fourth ahead of East Perth (9-7) with East Fremantle (8-8) a game further back in sixth position. Perth (6-9) sits seventh, Claremont (4-11) eighth and Swan Districts (2-13) ninth.

Click here for the summary of Round 18 of the WAFL 

TEAM OF THE WEEK (club, timed named)
BACK: Paddy Brophy (EP, 2), Haydn Busher (C, 2), Mitch Fraser (EP, 3)
HALF-BACK: Michael Sinclair (P, 4), Jordan Lockyer (S, 1), Jayden Schofield (EF, 2)
CENTRE: Calvin Thorne (PT, 1), Patrick McGinnity (EP, 4), Liam Anthony (EF, 5)
HALF-FORWARD: George Hampson (EF, 6), Clancy Wheeler (S, 4), Zac Fisher (P, 4)
FORWARD: Liam Ryan (S, 4), Beau Maister (C, 2), Blair Bell (PT, 2) 
RUCK: Paul Johnson (EP, 3), Chris Phelan (S, 6), Jye Bolton (C, 6)
INTERCHANGE: Rory O'Brien (PT, 5), Marlion Pickett (SF, 2), Malcolm Karpany (EP, 2), Brant Colledge (EP, 2)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK – MITCH FRASER
East Perth might be getting good service from its West Coast-listed AFL players at the moment, but the Royals wouldn't be on a five-game winning run without a strong core of WAFL players and one of those leading the way is small defender Mitch Fraser.

With Paul Johnson, Craig Wulff and Nathan Blee continuing to lead the way for the Royals as WAFL players along with Fraser with Kyle Anderson, Steven Payne and Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls still to return, they are forming a strong core for the Eagles players to provide the icing on the cake to.

Fraser was terrific again on Saturday for East Perth in the win over Claremont with 27 possessions, eight marks and six tackles while helping keep the Tigers small forward in check, in particular holding the lively Harrison McCracken scoreless.

It continues some terrific form for the 73-game veteran who played in the grand final losses of 2013 and 2014.

The 22-year-old from Busselton has become one of East Perth's leaders despite his young age and his defensive pressure and ability to set up play from the back-line is going to be important to determining how far the Royals go in 2016. 

THE SHINING LIGHTS
Subiaco welcomed back premiership veterans Leigh Kitchin and Wayde Twomey on Thursday night, and both were outstanding through the middle and down back respectively. Kitchin finished with 23 possessions, five tackles and a goal, and Twomey 22 disposals and 10 marks.

Chris Phelan continued his outstanding form in the midfield as well for Subiaco finishing the night with a game-high 29 possessions. Craig Hoskins also worked hard in the middle for 20 disposals with Adam Cockie also finishing with 19 touches and some bone-crunching tackles.

Subiaco's back-line performed strongly led by Twomey and Jordan Lockyer who had 18 possessions and seven marks while Declan Jackson split his time between defending Mason Shaw and Zac Strom, and did well limiting the influence of both.

Liam Ryan defied the conditions to be clean and exciting up forward for Subiaco kicking three impressive goals and taking some strong marks despite his stature and the conditions. His spectacular final quarter mark was one of the highlights of the night.

Hamish Shepheard also kicked two goals for Subiaco with Brett Robinson working hard at half-forward for 21 possessions and a goal.

South Fremantle was still missing Ashton Hams, Haiden Schloithe, Blaine Johnson and Adam McIntosh, but did regain ruckman Brock Higgins and key defender Josh Pullman.

Higgins fought hard for 11 touches, 48 hit outs and a goal while Pullman had a good battle with Shepheard having 17 possessions himself.

Steven Verrier worked hard in the midfield for the Bulldogs with 28 possessions and a goal with Shane Hockey another who battled away with 27 disposals and six tackles. Jacob Dragovich also had 22 touches for the Bulldogs and Brendan Verrier 19.

Ben Saunders was South Fremantle's most lively option in attack kicking three goals from 10 kicks and five marks.

South Fremantle captain Ryan Cook was particularly effective in the first half off half-forward and finished with 21 possessions, seven marks, seven inside 50s and a goal on the night he became the Bulldogs' longest ever serving captain.

Down back, Blayne Wilson had 26 possessions and eight marks for South Fremantle while Marlion Pickett was terrific defensively as well as with 20 disposals, seven marks and a goal.

East Perth continued its winning ways on Saturday recording a fifth successive victory to stay in the top five set up by the only two goals of the first quarter, and the last three before half-time over Claremont.

Paul Johnson locked horns with one of his oldest ruck foes in Mitch Andrews again, and the Royals veteran had the better of the tussle with 17 possessions, five marks and 41 hit outs.

His ruck work helped East Perth's midfield work on top with Patrick McGinnity finishing with 27 disposals, six inside 50s, four tackles and a goal, Mark Hutchings 24 touches, 10 marks and six tackles, Corey Adamson 20 possessions and seven marks, and Luke Partington 20 disposals.

Not only was Mitch Fraser terrific down back for East Perth but Paddy Brophy finished with 27 possessions and seven marks while Xavier Ellis had 21 disposals, Nathan Blee 20, Tom Cole 19 and Tom Gorter 17.

Up forward, Brant Colledge found some good form with 22 possessions, nine tackles and two goals while Tom Lamb finished with 24 disposals and eight marks, Malcolm Karpany 22 touches and a goal, and Simon Tunbridge 17 possessions, 10 marks and a goal in his best game of the season.

Jye Bolton couldn’t possibly do any more in the midfield for Claremont finishing with 37 possessions, eight inside-50 entries, five marks, four tackles and a goal before copping a high knock late in the final quarter and leaving the field on a stretcher.

Tom Ledger also gathered 26 disposals and took seven marks for the Tigers while Jared Hardisty finished with 18 touches and seven tackles. Tom Shanahan did a good run-with role on Dom Sheed holding him to 16 touches while having 14 himself to go with four tackles.

Beau Maister kicked three goals for Claremont to give him 13 goals in his last five games while Darcy Cameron kicked two including taking a good mark with a defender running back at him reminiscent of what happened back in Round 13 leaving him sore and sorry.

Haydn Busher did well at full-back on Mitch Brown and had 18 possessions and nine marks himself while last year's fairest and best winner Matthew Davies rediscovered some form with 20 disposals.

Perth and Peel Thunder made the trip to Cunderdin for the second ever WAFL game in the Wheatbelt town on Saturday with the Thunder dominating the first half with nine goals to five, and then holding on despite the Demons kicking four goals to one after half-time.

The conditions were tailor made for Peel veteran and he racked up 29 possessions, five marks and four inside 50s while Clancee Pearce compiled 26 disposals, nine tackles, six marks and a goal and Matt de Boer 24 touches, eight tackles and a goal.

Andrew Haydon continued his impressive form for the Thunder with 23 touches and six tackles while Ethan Hughes finished with 21 possessions and eight marks, Calvin Thorne 19 touches and six marks, and Darcy Tucker 18 disposals and seven tackles.

Michael Apeness returned from injury for Peel and provided a good target in attack with two goals from 11 possessions and seven marks. Blair Bell also kicked two goals from 17 disposals.

Former South Fremantle small forward Traye Bennell made his debut for Peel following two reserves appearances and showed encouraging signs with 14 possessions, five tackles and a goal.

Perth's midfield has been its great strength all season and they were again strong performers on Saturday with Clint Jones leading the way with 33 possessions in his 99th WAFL appearance.

Julian Jacobs gathered another 26 disposals for the Demons, Liam McKenna 25 (10 marks) and Aidan Tropiano 24 to go with six tackles and two goals.

Teenager Zac Fisher continued to impress as well for Perth with another 22 possessions and two goals while emerging big man Sam Garstone kicked another two goals from nine kicks.

Perth's back-line also stood tall for the most part again led by Michael Sinclair who also had 25 possessions and nine marks. Toby Gianatti also picked up 18 disposals and eight marks for the Demons and Lennon Marlin 16 touches and five marks.

East Fremantle ended its four-game losing run albeit not overly convincingly beating the bottom placed Swan Districts by 18 points at Steel Blue Oval.

It was no coincidence that East Fremantle's return to the winner's list coincided with Liam Anthony and George Hampson recapturing their form from before the state game when the Sharks were looking good on a winning streak.

On Saturday against the black-and-whites, Anthony was a dominant presence in the midfield with 41 possessions, nine tackles, six marks and a goal while Hampson split his time between on the ball and half-forward for 35 disposals, nine inside 50s, eight marks and two goals.

Matthew Watson also rediscovered some form for the Sharks kicking three goals from 13 possessions and five marks while Brett Peake also kicked three majors on the same ground he kicked seven goals on for WA earlier this year in the state game victory over Tasmania.

Jake Schleicher finally received his first league opportunity of the season for East Fremantle after strong form all year in the reserves and made the most of the chance with 27 possessions while Sean Henson returned from the reserves as well with 26 touches and eight marks.

Cameron Eardley also picked up 24 possessions for the Sharks, Jamie McNamara 20 and Miles Franklin 19 while down back, Jayden Schofield continued his tremendous form with another 28 touches and nine marks.

Ryan Lester-Smith had 24 touches for East Fremantle in the back-line and Brock O'Brien 17 to go with 10 marks.

Kirk Ugle came back in the Swan Districts line-up and played as a small forward kicking two goals while Todd Banfield continued his improved form with two goals to go with 17 possessions.

Matt Riggio did all he could in the midfield for Swans by racking up 36 disposals to go with six tackles and five inside-50 entries while Adam Faulkner gathered 24 touches, Freddie Clutterbuck 20, Jesse Turner 20 and Tony Notte 19 to go with five marks and a goal.

Swan Districts blooded another debutant with Ben Holman playing the first game of his league career following 49 matches in the reserves. The 22-year-old from Ellenbrook impressed in the at times wet conditions with 15 possessions and eight tackles.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
Subiaco and South Fremantle's reserves did battle at Medibank Stadium on Saturday with the Lions beating the Bulldogs 14.7 (91) to 7.4 (46).

Ryan Vermeersch kicked four goals for Subiaco, Ryan Borchet three and Kalani Scarrott three.

Matt Bogensperger racked up 30 possessions for the Lions, Max Walters 28, Braden Fimmano 23 and Shaquille McKenzie 21.

Haiden Schloithe returned from a foot injury for South Fremantle and showed he's ready to instantly return to the league side with 33 possessions, 11 tackles, eight marks, seven inside 50s and a goal.

Matt Ah Siu also had 25 possessions for the Bulldogs, Dylan Main 23 and James Laurino 21 while young ruckman Tim English impressed in his first taste of senior football with 16 disposals, 31 hit outs and a goal.

Claremont's reserves defeated East Perth 10.10 (70) to 6.7 (43) at the Claremont Showground with Jack Bradshaw kicking four goals from 23 possessions and six marks.

Jake Waterman also impressed for the Tigers with three goals from 19 disposals and nine marks with Eddie Simpson booting two majors as well.

Toby Plant picked up 23 possessions for Claremont, Bailey Banfield 22, Justin Speed 21, Harrison Court 19, Zac Langdon 19, Matt Guelfi 19 and Jeremy Goddard 44 hit outs.

Agid Gardoud kicked two goals for East Perth while Daniel Perkins compiled 26 possessions, Tom Omodei 25 (11 marks), Callum Hart 24 (15 marks), Will Young 20 and Sam Powell-Pepper 20.

Perth's reserves scored a thumping 24.16 (160) to 8.6 (54) on Saturday at Lathlain Park over Peel Thunder.

Callum Walley kicked four goals for the Demons, Matt Thompson three, Cody Ninyette three, Corey Byrne two, Mitch Walley two and Kurtis Chester two.

Jacob Payne compiled 31 possessions for Perth, Fraser Millar 30, Chester 30, Taran Etto 28, Mitch Browne 26, Byrne 25 and Jarrad Irons 24.

Luke Shepherd kicked four goals for Peel with Keegan Power gathering 23 possessions, Michael Humble 22 and Nathan Fahey 19.

East Fremantle's reserves defeated Swan Districts 12.18 (90) to 10.3 (63) at Steel Blue Oval.

Jeff Carter kicked four goals for the Sharks, Adrian Ricciardello two and Dion Anthony two to go with 35 possessions.

James Harrold finished with 28 disposals as well for East Fremantle, Conor Regan 25, Dylan Winton 22, Oliver Parish 21, Lewis Krakouer 20 and Louis Cronan 20.

Matthew Jukes kicked four goals for Swan Districts while Ethan Maguire picked up 22 possessions, Logan Hughes 19, Jacob Coniglio 18, Jackson Slater 18 and Jacob Ness 18.

REDiMED COLTS RISING STARS
Subiaco and South Fremantle's colts opened up proceedings on Saturday morning at Medibank Stadium with the Bulldogs beating the Lions 13.17 (95) to 3.6 (24).

Jesse Mason kicked three goals for South Fremantle, Jimmy Miller two, Brodee Knight two and Zane Sumich two.

Daniel Burke racked up 30 possessions for the Bulldogs to go with 10 inside-50 entries and eight marks while Bruno Faulkner had 30 disposals, Deng Maguang 23, Shai Bolton 23, Travis Abbott 20, Kyle Russell 20 and Chad Pearson 19.

Duane Smith, Mitchell Crew and Josh Chapman kicked Subiaco's three goals with Sean Foley racking up 23 possessions, Ben Reid 22 (10 marks), Nicholas Baroni 18 and Liam Connolly 18 (12 marks).

Claremont's colts came from behind to win a thriller over East Perth at the Claremont Showground with the Tigers winning 9.10 (64) to 9.8 (62).

Bailey Bennett kicked two goals for Claremont with Sam Petrevski-Seton dominating with 32 possessions. Jacob Sideris also had 31 disposals, six inside 50s, five marks and a goal.

Eric Bashemule kicked three goals for East Perth and Kane La Fontaine two while Alex Di Placido gathered 29 possessions, Mitch Dobson 26, Kobe Chrisp 24, Nelson Waite 21, Stan Wright 20 and Mitch Fairclough 19.

Perth's colts beat Peel Thunder 10.11 (71) to 9.5 (59) on Saturday morning at Lathlain Park.

Josh Burke kicked three goals for the Demons, James Bereyne two, Tommy Nickels two and Quinton Narkle two.

Chris Leonard picked up 26 possessions for Perth, Narkle 22, Brodey Eades 22, Blake Johnson 22, Joseph Ugle 21, Zareth Roe 19 and Anton Scotney 18.

Michael Stevens booted four goals for Peel and Danial Sudden two with Jake Howes amassing 28 possessions, Michael Tassone 21, Matthew Dean 20, Kyle Havelberg 19, Brynn Osborne 18 and Jordan Boullineau 18.

East Fremantle's colts came from behind to kick three goals to nil in the last quarter to beat Swan Districts 8.7 (55) to 6.8 (44) at Steel Blue Oval.

Cameron Zurhaar kicked three goals for East Fremantle and Dwayne Nevill two with Kyle Baskerville compiling 28 possessions, Corey Holmes 27, Zurhaar 22, Ben Harding 22 and Tyler Sorrell 19.

Lochie Huntley finished with 20 disposals and two goals for Swan Districts while Jarrod Shorter picked up 28 touches, Tobe Watson 21, Huntley 20, Jack O'Sullivan 19, Mitchell Bain 19, Samuel Taylor 19, Giles Dent 18 and Stephen Hodder 18