Round 5 ResultsMonday, April 30, 2018 - 8:35 AM - by Chris Pike

IT wasn’t a Round 5 of the 2018 WAFL season for the close contests with West Perth and Swan Districts hammering the bottom two teams of 2017 Perth and East Fremantle while South Fremantle continued its winning ways and East Perth sent another strong statement.

The Round 5 action got underway on Saturday afternoon with two matches in the traditional 2.15pm timeslot and it was games to forget for the Demons and Sharks.

They are attempting to improve on 2017 seasons that saw them win just three games apiece and battle it out for the wooden spoon. But unfortunately based on their performances on Saturday at least, that improvement in 2018 might not quite be there.

West Perth started strongly and were never challenged to end up beating Perth 17.11 (113) to 6.15 (51) at Lathlain Park.

Remarkably it means the Falcons are still undefeated at Lathlain Park since 2004 in 14 visits and having won nine straight matches now at the venue and 14 straight overall against the Demons.

Tyler Keitel kicked five goals for West Perth and Andrew Strijk three from 24 possessions and 15 marks. Tyson Moulton also booted three majors and Keegan Knott two.

Corey Chalmers compiled 35 possessions for the Falcons, Shane Nelson 35, Blake Wilhelm 26, Luke Meadows 25, Aaron Black 24, Kris Shannon 23, Trent Manzone 21 and Connor West 20. Michael Lourey had 19 touches and 27 hit outs in the ruck.

Luke Salomone kicked two for Perth while Cody Leggett racked up 34 possessions, Corey Byrne 26, Corey Yeo 26, Richard Bourne 26 and Clint Jones 25.

Swan Districts then handed East Fremantle its second 90-plus point loss inside six days, winning 22.17 (149) to 9.5 (59) at Steel Blue Oval.

Corey Gault was best afield with 23 possessions, 11 marks, 14 hit outs and four goals for Swan Districts. Matthew Rogers, Todd Banfield, Brayden Noble, Levi Ridley, Albert Dean and Steven Payne all kicked two goals each too.

Rhys Palmer finished with 28 disposals, Matt Riggio 25, David Ellard 24 and Jesse Turner 23.

Jack Perham kicked three goals for East Fremantle and George Hampson two to go with 35 possessions.

Jayden Schofield also had 31 possessions for the Sharks and Jordan Snadden 23.

The other game on Saturday was a slightly later start and took place at Centennial Stadium in Albany which hosted its first ever WAFL fixture. It was a tight affair for three quarters before South Fremantle pulled away from Claremont to win 12.13 (85) to 8.10 (58).

Haiden Schloithe kicked three goals for South Fremantle, Brandon Donaldson two and Matthew Parker two.

Brock Higgins was terrific in the ruck with 16 possessions, six tackles, 47 hit outs and a goal but it was a good battle with Oliver Eastland who also had 19 disposals, seven tackles and 39 hit outs for Claremont.

Shane Hockey had another 31 possessions for South Fremantle, Donaldson 24 and captain Dylan Main 21.

Tom Lee and Ian Richardson kicked three goals apiece for Claremont, and Ryan Lim two.

Kane Mitchell amassed 33 disposals for the Tigers, Jye Bolton 32, Ryan Murphy 24 and Haydn Busher 22.

The last game of the round took place on Sunday at Leederville Oval in the lead up to the first ever Western Derby at Optus Stadium later in the day. It saw East Perth make it three straight wins, beating Peel Thunder 21.8 (134) to 10.8 (68).

Matthew Allen had a day out for East Perth kicking five goals while captain Patrick McGinnity kicked four to go with 27 possessions. Shayne Hille, Sharrod Wellingham, Jarrod Brander and Tarir Bayok all kicked two as well.

Mark Hutchings racked up 33 possessions and 14 marks with Will Schofield finishing with 27 disposals, Brayden Ainsworth 26, Julian Ameduri 22 (11 tackles), Will Maginness 21 and Fraser McInnes 21 (14 hit outs).

Leroy Jetta, Kaine Ah Chee, Ryan Nyhuis and Luke Strnadica kicked two goals apiece for Peel.

Tom Sheridan gathered 29 possessions for the Thunder, Danyle Pearce 26, Traye Bennell 21 and Tom North 21.

ROUND 5 WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
Perth 6.15 (51) lost to West Perth 17.11 (113)
Swan Districts 22.17 (149) defeated East Fremantle 9.5 (59)
Claremont 8.10 (58) lost to South Fremantle 12.13 (85)
East Perth 21.8 (134) defeated Peel Thunder 10.8 (68)

RESERVES
Perth 19.10 (124) defeated West Perth 8.8 (56)
Swan Districts 18.13 (121) defeated East Fremantle 15.4 (94)
Claremont 14.9 (93) defeated South Fremantle 6.8 (44)
East Perth 13.11 (89) defeated Peel Thunder 10.5 (65)

COLTS
Perth 11.15 (81) defeated West Perth 10.9 (69)
Swan Districts 11.2 (68) lost to East Fremantle 14.8 (92)
Claremont 11.6 (72) defeated South Fremantle 5.7 (37)
East Perth 11.13 (79) defeated Peel Thunder 12.6 (78)

Click the graphics below for specific match reports.