Round 16 Match ReportsMonday, July 23, 2018 - 8:47 AM - by Chris Pike

WEST Perth moved into second position on the WAFL ladder with a big win over Swan Districts in Round 16 on Saturday while Perth took another step towards a drought breaking finals appearance with wins also for Peel Thunder and Claremont.

With the undefeated, league-leading Subiaco having the bye in Round 16 of the 2018 WAFL season, it was up to the other eight teams to lock horns with all but one of them still vying for a finals position.

That meant there was plenty on the line in all four matches that took place in challenging conditions in the traditional 2.15pm time slot on Saturday afternoon.

The premiers of the past two years, Peel Thunder, put themselves right back in the finals hunt with a strong performance to knock South Fremantle from second position with a 13.12 (90) to 9.12 (66) win at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

West Perth replaced South Fremantle in that second position with a thumping win against Swan Districts, with the Falcons handing Swans a sixth straight defeat with the 16.22 (118) to 4.4 (28) victory at HBF Arena.

Claremont then returned to the top five at a water-logged Claremont Oval, beating East Perth 6.13 (49) to 3.7 (25) in a game that never reached any great heights due to the condition of the ground.

Perth then continued to be the exciting story of 2018 with the Demons cementing their position in the top five beating the bottom placed East Fremantle 17.11 (113) to 10.12 (72) at Lathlain Park.

Peel hosted South Fremantle at Bendigo Bank Stadium with both teams attempting to bounce back from losses to Perth and Subiaco respectively.

The Thunder made a strong start with five goals to two in the opening quarter and were on top most of the afternoon with the Bulldogs sorely missing Brock Higgins, Ashton Hams, Cory Dell'Olio and Ben Saunders.

Peel still led by 17 points at half-time but just two at three quarter-time before the Thunder kicked away impressively in the last term for the 24-point victory.

Brayden Lawler kicked three goals for the Thunder, Hugh Dixon three and captain Gerald Ugle two.

Mitch Crowden picked up 27 possessions for Peel, Danyle Pearce 24, Ben Howlett 23, Harley Bennell 22, Tom North 22, James Kirby 22, Shane Kersten 20 and Brady Grey 19 to go with 10 tackles.

Marlion Pickett and Matthew Parker kicked two goals each for South Fremantle.

Jacob Dragovich collected 27 possessions for the Bulldogs, Shaun Bewick 24, Nick Suban 23, Shane Hockey 20, Blayne Wilson 20 and Jason Maskos 20.

West Perth returned from the bye to host Swan Districts at Joondalup Arena and the Falcons dominated from the outset.

West Perth had the only 10 scoring shots of the first quarter to lead by 25 points by quarter-time and that extended to 38 points by half-time, 73 by three quarter-time and 90 by the final siren.

Only the Falcons' inaccuracy cost them a 100-point plus win but it was still enough for them to replace South Fremantle in second position on the ladder with Andrew Strijk kicking four goals, Tyler Keitel four, Jordan Mills three and Jay van Berlo two.

Shane Nelson amassed 42 possessions for West Perth, Aaron Black 38, Luke Meadows 33, Trent Manzone 27, Blake Wilhelm 23 and Mitch Peirce 21 while Chris Keunen had 13 disposals and 45 hit outs in the ruck.

Brayden Noble, Josh Cipro, Matt Riggio and Steven Payne kicked Swan Districts' four goals.

Tobe Watson finished with 27 possessions for Swans, Jesse Turner 24, Rhys Palmer 21, Matthew Rogers 21, Freddie Clutterbuck 21, Nathan Blakely 21 (23 hit outs) and Payne 20.

Claremont and East Perth went to battle over a spot in the top five at Claremont Oval, but the lack of drainage at the ground left it covered in water and led to the game never really reaching any great heights.

Only nine goals were scored for the afternoon as a result but it was Claremont in control most of the way including leading by 23 points at half-time on the back of kicking five goals to two.

There was only one goal apiece the entire second half with neither team kicking a major in the last term, but what mattered for Claremont was the 24-point victory to see them replace East Perth in fifth position on the ladder.

Tom Lee kicked two goals for Claremont while Jye Bolton racked up 37 possessions, Jared Hardisty 29, Tom Ledger 27, Kane Mitchell 25, Morgan Davies 19 and Ryan Lim 18.

Oliver Eastland also returned and played well in the ruck for the Tigers with 14 disposals and 33 hit outs.

Patrick McGinnity, Matthew Allen and Jake Waterman were the goal scorers for East Perth.

Mitch Dobson continued his emergence with the Royals by collecting 33 disposals with Brayden Ainsworth also finishing with 25 touches, Luke Partington 25, Stan Wright 18, Nathan Blee 18 and Allen 18.

Perth hosted the bottom placed East Fremantle at Lathlain Park and the Demons took control in the second half to further cement their position in the top five as they chase a first finals appearance since 1997.

East Fremantle did manage to lead by three points at quarter-time before Perth held a narrow three-point advantage at the main break. The Demons took control in the second half, though, kicking nine goals to three to win by 41 points.

Kristian Cary delivered the performance of his career with 23 possessions and five goals for Perth with Spencer White kicking four goals and Michael Bennell two.

Corey Yeo gathered 27 possessions for the Demons, Brant Colledge 27, Clint Jones 25, Michael Sinclair 25, Corey Byrne 22 and Cody Leggett 21.

Cameron Loersch kicked three goals for East Fremantle and Jesse Wynne two.

Jordan Snadden compiled 33 disposals for the Sharks, Cameron Eardley 30, George Hampson 28, Nick Kommer 24, Jayden Schofield 20 and Dion Anthony 20.

ROUND 16 WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
Peel Thunder 13.12 (90) defeated South Fremantle 9.12 (66)
West Perth 16.22 (118) defeated Swan Districts 4.4 (28)
Claremont 6.13 (49) defeated East Perth 3.7 (25)
Perth 17.11 (113) defeated East Fremantle 10.12 (72)

RESERVES
Peel Thunder 3.9 (27) lost to South Fremantle 7.11 (53)
West Perth 5.10 (40) lost to Swan Districts 6.5 (41)
Claremont 7.8 (50) defeated East Perth 6.5 (41)
Perth 9.18 (72) defeated East Fremantle 3.7 (25)

COLTS
Peel Thunder 3.19 (37) lost to South Fremantle 5.11 (41)
West Perth 11.10 (76) defeated Swan Districts 9.6 (60)
Claremont 13.12 (90) defeated East Perth 7.3 (45)
Perth 9.8 (62) lost to East Fremantle 10.14 (74)

Click the graphics below for specific game reports.