Round 21 McDonald's WAFL ResultsSunday, August 14, 2016 - 12:21 PM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO further secured first place, South Fremantle second spot and West Perth third position in Saturday's Round 21 WAFL action while East Fremantle moved back into the top-five with a return to form.

The top three WAFL positions now appear locked away following Round 21 of the 2016 McDonald's WAFL Premiership Season.

Those top three sides all won with Subiaco beating East Perth 9.14 (68) to 6.10 (46) at Medibank Stadium, South Fremantle defeating Swan Districts 14.21 (105) to 11.4 (70) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval and West Perth holding on in a thriller prevailing over Claremont 17.6 (108) to 17.5 (107) at HBF Arena.

While the fourth placed Peel Thunder had the bye, East Fremantle replaced East Perth in fifth position after the Sharks returned to the winner's list beating Perth 17.12 (114) to 9.11 (65) at Lathlain Park.

The battle of the Medibank Stadium co-tenants again went the way of Subiaco for the third time in 2016 with the Lions beating East Perth by 22 points in a scrappy and low-scoring affair despite the refreshingly fine weather conditions to play in.

The win sees Subiaco remain two games and percentage clear on top of the ladder with two rounds remaining while East Perth slips out of the top five and now faces a battle the last two weeks against South Fremantle and East Fremantle to get back in.

The game might have not reached any great heights but it was the four points the Lions were after and they got them with Liam Ryan the highlight kicking four goals from 17 possessions and nine marks. If he converted some of his five behinds it would have been even better.

Hamish Shepheard also kicked three goals for Subiaco while Kyal Horsley racked up 34 possessions, Greg Broughton 26 and Leigh Kitchin 25.

Jonathan Giles kicked two of East Perth's six goals while Lewis Jetta picked up 24 disposals, Patrick McGinnity 23, Corey Adamson 21 and Will Maginness 20.

The thriller of the day and perhaps the game of the WAFL season took place at HBF Arena with West Perth ending up beating Claremont in a classic contest by a point.

The result has ramifications for both teams as well with the Falcons now in the box seat to finish in third position at the end of the home and away season while the loss ends the faints finals hopes of the Tigers.

West Perth appeared safe when leading by 26 points at the 10 and 16-minute marks of the final quarter, but Claremont wouldn’t go away.

The Tigers kicked five goals in 11 minutes to suddenly be only a point behind before Max Duffy steadied the Falcons with his six goals of the afternoon.

Claremont still kept coming and a goal to Tom Ledger after a strong mark to Beau Maister, who left the field on a stretcher after being knocked out, made it a one-point game again as the clock neared 40 minutes but the Tigers just ran out of time.

Duffy had a day out for West Perth kicking six goals from 12 kicks while Kody Manning, Michael Lourey and Steven Browne all booted two apiece.

Rohan Kerr racked up 37 possessions for the Falcons, Aaron Black 29, Aidan Lynch 25, Steve Potente 23, Corey Chalmers 22, Jay van Berlo 21, Manning 20, Trent Manzone 20, Chris Keunen 19 (26 hit outs) and Blake Wilhelm 19. Dean Munns also did well holding Tom Ledger to 11 touches.

Beau Maister kicked three goals for Claremont as did Ian Richardson to go with 24 possessions. Captain Jake Murphy, Harrison McCracken and Alexander Manuel all booted two apiece.

Murphy also gathered 34 possessions for the Tigers, Jye Bolton 34, Ryan Lim 33, Jared Hardisty 28, Jake Waterman 22 and Justin Speed 21.

South Fremantle was on top of Swan Districts most of the afternoon at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in their final home game of 2016, but the Bulldogs couldn’t kick straight and as a result never put the bottom placed Swans away.

That gave the black-and-whites some hope and they sparked to life in the last quarter to kick the first three goals to close to within seven points but South Fremantle steadied with the last four goals to win by 35 points and cement second position on the WAFL ladder.

Ben Saunders kicked four goals for South Fremantle but it could have been a huge day for him had it not been for his five behinds as well.

Captain Ryan Cook, Tyson Picket and Blaine Johnson also kicked two goals apiece for the Bulldogs.

Ashton Hams racked up 32 possessions for South Fremantle, Dylan Main 29, Shane Hockey 28, Brendan Verrier 23, Cook 21, Steve Verrier 20 and ruckman Brock Higgins 20 to go with 26 hit outs and six marks.

Adam Faulkner was terrific for Swan Districts with 30 possessions and two goals while Matthew Rogers booted two final quarter goals in his 100th WAFL appearance.

Matt Riggio also finished with 29 disposals for the black-and-whites, Jackson Slater 23, Todd Banfield 22, Justin Simpson 20, Rudy Riddoch 19 and Griffin Logue 19.

East Fremantle had to find some form and confidence again after a tough run to stay alive in the finals race. Not only did the Sharks do that with an impressive 49-point win over Perth, but they returned to fifth position with East Perth also losing to Subiaco.

It was a good performance from the Sharks as they extended their advantage at every change leading by 11 points at quarter-time, 16 at half-time, 35 at three quarter-time and 49 by the final siren.

Big man James Bristow provided a good target when up forward for East Fremantle kicking four goals from 16 possessions, eight marks and 12 hit outs. Andrew Stokes gave good support with 19 disposals, eight marks and eight hit outs.

Brett Peake also kicked four goals for the Sharks and George Hampson two.

Liam Anthony amassed 36 possessions for East Fremantle, Cameron Eardley 26, Matthew Jupp 25, Jamie McNamara 24, Sean Henson 23, Jesse Adamini 21 and Ryan Lester-Smith 21.

Brett Wolfenden, Marshall Jones, Sam Garstone and Cody Ninyette all kicked two goals each for Perth.

Liam McKenna gathered 28 possessions for the Demons, Clint Jones 26, Wolfenden 26, Dene White 22, Julian Jacobs 21, Rowan Brookes 20 and Ashley Boyes 18.

ROUND 21 McDONALD'S WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
East Perth 6.10 (46) lost to Subiaco 9.14 (68)
West Perth 17.6 (108) defeated Claremont 17.5 (107)
South Fremantle 14.21 (105) defeated Swan Districts 11.4 (70)
Perth 9.11 (65) lost to East Fremantle 17.12 (114)

RESERVES
East Perth 22.11 (143) defeated Subiaco 4.8 (32)
West Perth 6.8 (44) lost to Claremont 17.14 (116)
South Fremantle 9.12 (66) lost to Swan Districts 12.12 (84)
Perth 10.6 (66) lost to East Fremantle 26.6 (162)

REDiMED COLTS
East Perth 13.11 (89) defeated Subiaco 6.3 (39)
West Perth 6.2 (38) lost to Claremont 12.15 (87)
South Fremantle 8.7 (55) defeated Swan Districts 4.10 (34)
Perth 4.3 (27) lost to East Fremantle 13.14 (92)