WA Day Round 9 Match ReportsTuesday, June 5, 2018 - 8:00 AM - by Chris Pike

THE WA Day round in the WAFL got underway with wins for Peel Thunder and Swan Districts on Saturday before South Fremantle and West Perth won impressively on home turf on the Monday public holiday.

The Round 9 WAFL action was split over Saturday and Monday afternoons with the WA Day long weekend and the two games to begin proceedings on Saturday saw some fascinating action.

In the end, it was Peel Thunder beating Claremont 10.5 (65) to 7.12 (54) at Claremont Oval while Swan Districts came back from a 40-point deficit to beat Perth 17.13 (115) to 13.7 (85) at Steel Blue Oval.

Then in the two traditional derbies on WA Day, West Perth was sparked by six goals from Tyler Keitel to beat East Perth 13.15 (93) to 10.9 (69) at Joondalup Arena while South Fremantle made it six straight against East Fremantle, winning 18.13 (121) to 7.6 (48) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Saturday's Round 9 action began at Claremont Oval with Claremont and Peel both desperate for a win to stay in the race for a finals position coming into the contest at 2-5 each.

It was Peel who made the fast start with four goals to one in the opening quarter even though both teams had five scoring shots apiece.

The Thunder remained on top the rest of the afternoon leading by 18 points at half-time, four points at three quarter-time and then winning by 11 on the back of three goals to two in the last term.

Brandon Matera responded to his demotion from Fremantle's AFL side with three goals, 20 possessions and eight marks for Peel with Blair Bell and debutant Alex Cohen also kicking two goals apiece.

Danyle Pearce also had 30 possessions for the Thunder, Ethan Hughes 23, Ben Howlett 20 (17 tackles), Brayden Lawler 20 and Hayden Ballantyne 19.

Tom Lee kicked three goals for Claremont with Kane Mitchell also booting two to go with 21 possessions.

Jye Bolton racked up another 29 disposals for the Tigers, Haydn Busher 29, Tom Curren 21 (10 tackles) and Jared Hardisty 19 (nine tackles).

Perth then made the fast start to its clash with Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval with eight goals to two in the second quarter and were up by as much as 40 points during the second term.

The Demons still led by 28 points at half-time and were in control of the contest, but Swans were always going to make a charge after copping a serve from coach Adam Pickering at the break.

The black-and-whites responded with five goals to one in the third term to level scores up by three quarter-time and they finished full of running with the only five majors of the last term to end up comfortable 30-point winners having completed a 70-point turnaround.

The win improves Swan Districts to a 5-3 record to be closing in on a top two position while Perth slips to 2-6.

Brayden Noble stepped up in attack for Swans to kick five goals while Matt Riggio, Warrick Wilson and Corey Gault all kicked two apiece.

David Ellard gathered 25 possessions for the winners, Steven Payne 24, Jesse Turner 23, Tobe Watson 21, Riggio 21 and Wilson 19.

Impressive debutant Michael Bennell kicked three goals for Perth while Brant Colledge, Ben Giobbi and Cody Ninyette kicked two each as well.

Captain Clint Jones finished with 26 disposals for the Demons, Corey Yeo 25, Colledge 21 and the returning Michael Sinclair 20 along with nine marks.

Then on Monday, West Perth hosted East Perth in the WA Derby at Joondalup Arena and it wasn't until just before three quarter-time that the Falcons began to pull away.

It was a tight first half with West Perth up by two points at the first break and by seven at half-time, and then that extended to 16 by three quarter-time. 

Then with Tyler Keitel kicking his sixth goal and Luke Meadows another to open the final term, the Falcons set up the eventual 24-point win to improve to a 5-3 record while the Royals slipped to 4-4.

Keitel stood tall in attack for West Perth in the absence of Andrew Strijk kicking six goals from 16 possessions and seven marks. Trent Manzone and Jay van Berlo also kicked two majors.

Aaron Black racked up 28 disposals for the Falcons, Shane Nelson 28, Luke Meadows 22, Corey Chalmers 22, Blake Wilhelm 21, Mitch Peirce 21 (11 tackles), Michael Lourey 20 and Mark Hamilton 19 (eight marks). Ruckman Chris Keunen also had 17 disposals, five marks and 16 hit outs.

Will Maginness kicked three goals for East Perth and Patrick McGinnity two along with 25 possessions and six tackles.

Brayden Ainsworth picked up 27 touches for the Royals, Luke Partington 27, Stan Wright 26, Sharrod Wellingham 26, Kurt Mutimer 23, Jaxon Cahill 22 and Francis Watson 20.

The round then concluded with the traditional WA Day Foundation Derby and unfortunately for East Fremantle, the Sharks couldn’t continue their improved form with the Bulldogs dominating the contest from start to finish.

South Fremantle kicked the first eight goals of the game with East Fremantle not getting on the board until captain Jonathon Griffin goaled from a 50m penalty at the 20-minute mark of the second term.

The Bulldogs then went on with the job with four goals to one in the last quarter to run out 73-point winners to improve to a 6-2 record in second spot with the Sharks still last at 2-7 on day where Cory Dell'Olio and George Hampson both celebrated 100-game milestones.

South Fremantle came into the game without captain Dylan Main along with Shane Hockey and Ben Saunders, but plenty of others stepped up with Brandon Donaldson kicking four goals, Mason Shaw three, Matthew Parker three and Ashton Hams three.

Nick Suban (28 touches, two goals) and Haiden Schloithe (21 touches, 11 tackles, two goals) were superb for the Bulldogs while Jacob Dragovich collected 31 possessions, Marlion Pickett 29, Ryan Cook 25, Hams 21 and Kyle Russell 20.

Cameron Eardley finished with 30 possessions for East Fremantle, Jayden Schofield 28, George Hampson 26, Jonathon Marsh 25, Nick Kommer 23, James Harrold 22, Tom Marshall 20 and Josh Cuneo.

The Sharks' hopes weren’t helped with losing Ryan Lester-Smith and Ambrose Ryan to concussion by half-time.

WA DAY ROUND 9 WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
Claremont 7.12 (54) lost to Peel Thunder 10.5 (65)
Swan Districts 17.13 (115) defeated Perth 13.7 (85)
West Perth 13.15 (93) defeated East Perth 10.9 (69)
South Fremantle 18.13 (121) defeated East Fremantle 7.6 (48)

RESERVES
Claremont 16.10 (106) defeated Peel Thunder 4.9 (33)
Swan Districts 11.14 (80) lost to Perth 13.7 (85)
West Perth 10.15 (75) defeated East Perth 10.13 (73)
South Fremantle 6.4 (40) lost to East Fremantle 12.14 (86)

COLTS
Claremont 7.8 (50) lost to Peel Thunder 12.14 (86)
Swan Districts 13.6 (84) defeated Perth 6.4 (40)
West Perth 3.15 (33) lost to East Perth 6.10 (46)
South Fremantle 8.6 (54) lost to East Fremantle 10.8 (68)

Click the graphics below for specific match reports.

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