ROUND 10 of the WAFL saw Subiaco, West Perth, East Perth and Peel Thunder all continue their winning ways heading into the state game break with a career best five goals from Falcons veteran Andrew Strijk among the highlights.
Subiaco won its eighth straight game to head into the break two games clear on top of the ladder winning a good battle with the undefeated East Fremantle, 15.18 (108) to 11.11 (77) at Leederville Oval.
East Perth pulled off a remarkable comeback victory to win a fourth straight game downing South Fremantle 10.11 (71) to 10.10 (70) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.
Peel Thunder made it three consecutive victories as well with the club's greatest victory, downin
g Perth 18.15 (123) to 5.3 (33) at Lathlain Park.
West Perth celebrated the 120-year anniversary of its 1897 premiership with a fifth straight win, defeating Claremont 13.14 (92) to 7.18 (60) at HBF Arena.
Following the Round 10 results leading into this Saturday's WAFL v VFL state game at Melbourne's North Port Oval, Subiaco (8-1) is two games clear on top of the ladder.
South Fremantle (6-3) is only percentage clear in second place ahead of West Perth (6-2), Peel Thunder (5-4) and Swan Districts (5-3).
East Perth (4-5) is just outside the top five ahead of Claremont (3-6), Perth (2-7) and East Fremantle (0-8).
wafl.com.au PLAYER OF THE ROUND – ANDREW STRIJK (West Perth)
The 29-year-old has done it all during a 198-game WAFL career with West Perth along with his 13 games for West Coast in the AFL and five appearances for Western Australia.
But until Saturday, he had never kicked more than four goals in a game. That all changed in the 32-point win over Claremont at HBF Arena as he booted five majors to go with 20 possessions, six inside-50 entries, five marks and four tackles.
He continues to be equally effective whether playing forward like he did on Saturday against Claremont or going down back where he can use his run and powerful right boot to full effect.
He can be a match-winner in either role but on Saturday showed in front of goals he is remarkably dangerous kicking five goals for the first time having previously booted four in a game on seven previous occasions.
Will represent the WAFL this Saturday for a sixth time in a state game up against the VFL and bring up his 200-game milestone for West Perth all going well up against Swan Districts in Round 12 at Steel Blue Oval.
wafl.com.au TEAM OF THE ROUND (times named)
BACK: Kody Manning (4), Kyle Anderson (2), Jayden Schofield (3)
HALF-BACK: Corey Adamson (2), Brennan Cox (1), Luke Ryan (1)
CENTRE: Julian Ameduri (1), Haiden Schloithe (3), Luke Meadows (4)
HALF-FORWARD: Max Walters (3), Matthew Watson (1), Josh Deluca (1)
FORWARD: Andrew Strijk (2), Zac Strom (2), Tom Lamb (3)
RUCK: Jonathon Griffin (1), Leigh Kitchin (2), Shane Nelson (4)
INTERCHANGE: Mitch Andrews (4), Corey Morris (1), Craig Hoskins (1), Luke Partington (1)
BACK POCKET – KODY MANNING (West Perth)
Named to the Team of the Round for a fourth time this season as he continues to show just how important a player he is at West Perth when fully fit. His attack on the ball and the opposition is a sight to behold and he plays with a ferocity that nobody else in the league does. Had another significant impact in Saturday's win over Claremont that isn’t necessarily measured by his 14 possessions.
FULL-BACK – KYLE ANDERSON (East Perth)
The Royals captain split his time opposed to both South Fremantle key forwards Ben Saunders and Mason Shaw. Neither of him kicked a goal and his performance was as instrumental as anyone on the field in East Perth's eventual win as he now prepares to now make his state debut as the WAFL plays the VFL on Saturday.
BACK POCKET – JAYDEN SCHOFIELD (East Fremantle)
His team might not have won in 2017, but it's through no fault of his own and he continues to show that he has found his spot providing run and drive out of the back-line. Now an experienced player with 93 games under his belt and had a terrific performance on Saturday against Subiaco with 32 possessions, seven tackles, six marks and a goal.
HALF-BACK FLANK – COREY ADAMSON (Subiaco)
He might have had a slow start to his first season at Subiaco through injury, but his form has been so impressive in recent weeks that he stormed into calculation to represent the WAFL against the VFL. Another outstanding performance in the win over East Fremantle with 28 possessions, nine inside-50 entries and eight tackles.
CENTRE HALF-BACK – BRENNAN COX (Peel Thunder)
The first-year Fremantle draftee is developing nicely at Peel in a solid back-line alongside Zac Dawson and Sam Collins as they held Perth to just five goals in Saturday's 90-point victory. He himself was tremendous finishing with 26 possessions and 17 marks.
HALF-BACK FLANK – LUKE RYAN (Peel Thunder)
Another first-year player on Fremantle's AFL list who is showing good signs at the Thunder. Has settled into a role nicely off half-back over the past month. Delivered a terrific performance in Saturday's big win over Perth with career-high 30 possessions, nine marks and his first goal.
WING – JULIAN AMEDURI (East Perth)
Is one East Perth player who has patiently waited for his league opportunities to come and is now grabbing those chances with both hands. Worked tremendously hard in the tough conditions against South Fremantle on Saturday and laid 17 strong tackles to go with 21 possessions and his team's first goal of the game.
CENTRE – HAIDEN SCHLOITHE (South Fremantle)
Put in an impressively strong effort in the midfield despite South Fremantle ending up losing to East Perth by a point on Saturday. While he did a superb job with 31 possessions, it was his physical intensity he played with that was most impressive and he ended up laying 10 strong tackles.
WING – LUKE MEADOWS (West Perth)
Continues to thrive on his move into the middle in 2017 and put in another strong showing in Saturday's win over Claremont. His ability to win the hard ball with his big body, and then get out and run and use his elite kicking skills are a treat to behold. Had another 24 disposals and a goal in the win over the Tigers.
HALF-FORWARD FLANK – MAX WALTERS (Subiaco)
He might not receive the attention of his higher-profile teammates, but quietly he is putting together an outstanding season for Subiaco alternating between playing at half-forward and having stints in the midfield. Delivered another 18 possessions and three goals in the Round 10 win against East Fremantle.
CENTRE HALF-FORWARD – MATTHEW WATSON (East Fremantle)
He might not have quite answered East Fremantle's prayers for a strong, goalkicking forward target. But is proving himself a more than capable mobile ruckman as the game takes a gradual shift away from the monster big men. Had a significant impact for East Fremantle in the ruck on Saturday with 23 possessions, seven marks, 26 hit outs and a goal while still spending some time forward alternating with Cameron Symonds.
HALF-FORWARD FLANK – JOSH DELUCA (Peel Thunder)
The dual premiership forward had a slow start to the season through injury and then had to earn his place back in the league line-up, but showed his quality again in Saturday's win over Perth. Has played in premierships at both Subiaco and Peel, and showed his future remains bright with 23 possessions and three goals at Lathlain Park on Saturday.
FULL-FORWARD – ZAC STROM (South Fremantle)
While his forward-line teammates Blaine Johnson, Ben Saunders and Mason Shaw might have gone goalless, he stepped up and looked to be a match-winner for much of the afternoon against East Perth. Took strong marks and kicked straight just two weeks after a stint in the reserves. Finished with four goals from 11 disposals and six marks.
FORWARD POCKET – TOM LAMB (East Perth)
Is finding some good, consistent form as a key forward target now and it's no surprise that is coinciding with East Perth now being on a four-game winning streak. In difficult conditions, kicked a crucial three goals from 19 possessions and six marks in Saturday's thrilling come from behind win over South Fremantle.
RUCK – JONATHON GRIFFIN (Peel Thunder)
The experienced ruckman is getting back to some good form with Peel forming an imposing duo with Sean Darcy. Helped dominate in the middle against Perth on Saturday and finished the afternoon with 19 possessions, eight marks, 36 hit outs and two goals.
RUCK-ROVER – LEIGH KITCHIN (Subiaco)
Got himself ready for a third appearance in a state game in his third season in the WAFL with another outstanding performance in the midfield in Subiaco's win over East Fremantle. Ended up with another 30 possessions and seven tackles.
ROVER – SHANE NELSON (West Perth)
His remarkable run of form this season continued in another outstanding ball-winning performance during West Perth's win over Claremont on Saturday. Racked up another 34 possessions, seven inside-50 entries and five marks. Is now averaging 32.4 disposals in 2017.
INTERCHANGE – MITCH ANDREWS (Claremont)
Continues to be the leading WAFL ruckman in the competition with the 125-game dual premiership big man now set to be rewarded with his first state jumper up against Victoria this Saturday. Did well again up against former team on Saturday despite the loss to West Perth finishing with 21 possessions and 34 hit outs.
INTERCHANGE – COREY MORRIS (Peel Thunder)
Is one player who has bided his time patiently and has played more than 60 reserves games, but the 22-year-old has been rewarded with a regular spot in the league side in 2017 and it's paying off. Playing different roles either through the midfield, off half-back or at half-forward, he is delivering strong performances and had his best game on Saturday with 22 disposals, five marks, five tackles and two goals.
INTERCHANGE – CRAIG HOSKINS (Subiaco)
The 2015 premiership player continues to be a regular and important member of Subiaco's midfield and stepped up further once 150-gamer Chris Phelan went off with a knee injury during Saturday's win over East Fremantle. Finished the day with 23 possessions, 11 tackles and a goal.
INTERCHANGE – LUKE PARTINGTON (East Perth)
Continues to step up impressively as East Perth's major ball winner in the midfield this season. Is revelling with the increased responsibility and had another 32 possessions and six tackles on Saturday against South Fremantle. Is averaging 29 disposals a game in 2017.
UNLUCKY BUNCH
There were plenty of players who delivered tremendous performances across Round 10 but couldn’t quite squeeze into the Team of the Round, including:
Perth's Aidan Tropiano, Michael Sinclair and Julian Jacobs.
Peel Thunder's Sean Darcy and Ryan Nyhuis.
Subiaco's Kyal Horsley, Liam Ryan, Adam Cockie and Ben Sokol.
East Fremantle's Jonathan Marsh.
South Fremantle's Cory Dell'Olio, Tim Kelly and Shane Hockey.
East Perth's Nathan Blee, Will Schofield and Mark Hutchings.
West Perth's Aaron Black, Corey Chalmers and Steve Potente.
Claremont's Matt Guelfi and Bailey Banfield.