Round 12 Match Reports Monday, June 25, 2018 - 9:12 AM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO flexed its muscles while West Perth shook off the challenge of Perth and Claremont kept its finals hopes alive across the three WAFL matches in Round 12 of the 2018 season on Saturday.

There were just the three WAFL matches on Saturday in Round 12 and the action began at Leederville Oval with Claremont scoring an important win, handing East Perth a fifth straight defeat winning 14.11 (95) to 9.9 (63).

West Perth then further consolidated third position and stayed in touch with second spot by claiming a 15th consecutive win against Perth, prevailing 15.6 (96) to 11.9 (75) at Joondalup Arena.

Subiaco then made it 10 straight wins to open the 2018 season and did so emphatically thrashing the fourth placed Swan Districts 19.15 (129) to 6.11 (47) at Steel Blue Oval.

The second placed South Fremantle, reigning premiers Peel Thunder and bottom placed East Fremantle all had Round 12 byes.

The Round 12 action on Saturday got underway at Leederville with East Perth hosting Claremont in an important game for both clubs.

In the end, the Tigers controlled the contest from the outset leading at quarter-time by nine points, at half-time by 21 points, three quarter-time by 37 and then going on to win by 32.

The win improves Claremont to fifth position on the ladder with a 4-7 record to be only percentage behind the fifth placed East Perth who has now lost five in-a-row since the State game break.

There were some huge performers for the Tigers in the 32-point victory and none better than reigning Simpson Medallist and 2016 Sandover Medal winner Jye Bolton who finished with 35 possessions. 

Bailey Rogers also racked up 35 disposals, Tom Curren 29, Kane Mitchell 26, Lachlan Martinis 25, Ryan Lim 24, Jared Hardisty 22 and key defender Anton Hamp 20.

Captain Ian Richardson also kicked four goals and Tom Lee three.

Luke Partington gathered 27 possessions for East Perth, Dom Sheed 25, Stan Wright 24 and Brayden Ainsworth 22 who also kicked three goals as the Royals' only multiple goal scorer.

Swan Districts was then next up in attempting to stop the rampant Subiaco, but it wasn’t to be with the Lions delivering another emphatic performance.

Subiaco blew Swan Districts away with the only six goals of the first quarter and from there cruised to the 82-point victory to improve to a 10-0 record. Swans do remain fourth at 5-5 but are now two games and percentage back from West Perth in third place.

Subiaco captain Kyal Horsley was again inspirational with 37 possessions, 11 inside-50 entries, seven marks and two goals while fellow midfield warrior Leigh Kitchin had 37 disposals, six marks and a goal.

Josh Deluca also amassed 31 disposals, Chris Phelan 31, Aaron Heal 28, Braden Fimmano 26, Greg Clark 24, Jordan Lockyer 24, Max Walters 24 and ruckman Zac Clarke 24 to go with 33 hit outs and two goals.

Ben Sokol also kicked three goals from 22 disposals and 14 marks for the Lions with Rhys Waters, Phelan and debutant Tom Edwards-Baldwin all kicking two majors as well.

It was a tough afternoon for Swan Districts with Tobe Watson finishing with 26 possessions, Matt Riggio 26, Rhys Palmer 23 and Jesse Turner 19.

West Perth hosted Perth in what shaped as a fascinating WAFL fixture on Saturday with the Demons attempting to keep their impressive recent momentum going and stopping a horror run against the Falcons.

But again West Perth proved too strong being on top most of the afternoon and ending up winning by 21 points to make it 15 wins in-a-row against Perth.

The win also further consolidated third spot on the ladder for the Falcons at 7-4 and to be just percentage behind the second placed South Fremantle. Perth missed a chance to break into the top five and sits seventh at 4-7.

West Perth captain Aaron Black was at his prolific best racking up 39 possessions while Luke Meadows picked up 34 disposals, Shane Nelson 33, Trent Manzone 29, Corey Chalmers 27, Blake Wilhelm 26 and Steve Potente 25.

Andrew Strijk continued his stunning form in attack kicking another four goals to now have 17 in his last three games. Tyler Keitel also kicked three goals, Jay van Berlo two and Keegan Knott two.

Clint Jones led the way for Perth with 36 possessions with Michael Sinclair collecting 31 disposals, Brant Colledge 28, Corey Yeo 25, Cody Leggett 24 and Matthew Taylor 22.

Excitement machine Michael Bennell kicked another three goals for the Demons as did Kristian Cary with Laine Wilkins chipping in with two.

ROUND 12 WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
East Perth 9.9 (63) lost to Claremont 14.11 (95)
Swan Districts 6.11 (47) lost to Subiaco 19.15 (129)
West Perth 15.6 (96) defeated Perth 11.9 (75)

RESERVES
East Perth 17.19 (121) defeated Claremont 9.4 (58)
Swan Districts 8.4 (52) lost to Subiaco 15.10 (100)
West Perth 14.9 (93) defeated Perth 10.9 (69)

COLTS
East Perth 8.8 (56) defeated Claremont 5.10 (40)
Swan Districts 5.11 (41) lost to Subiaco 9.8 (62)
West Perth 18.5 (113) defeated Perth 5.11 (41)

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