Round 18 Match ReportsMonday, August 6, 2018 - 12:59 PM - by Chris Pike

SOUTH Fremantle and West Perth put on a terrific show in Round 18 of the WAFL on Saturday with the Bulldogs winning a thriller while Subiaco were too strong for Swan Districts and Peel Thunder enhanced its finals hopes beating East Perth.

There were just the three matches in the WAFL in Round 18 action on Saturday and it all began on a big day at Fremantle Community Bank Oval between the third placed South Fremantle and second placed West Perth.

Both teams celebrated the 200-game milestones of premiership players and life members Ashton Hams and Chris Keunen respectively too, and in the end it was Hams' South Fremantle who won a tight affair 10.8 (68) to 10.3 (63) against Keunen's West Perth.

West Perth still remains in second position despite the loss, but only narrowly on percentage at 10-6 while South Fremantle improves to 10-5 to be in a good spot to snatch that second spot over the final three rounds of the home and away season.

It was a tremendous contest at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with West Perth and South Fremantle locked in a battle over second position, and which team deserves to be considered the biggest threat to Subiaco heading towards the finals.

Little separated the two teams all day but South Fremantle kicked the first two goals of the last quarter through Ashton Hams and Mason Shaw which ended up being the difference in the final result.

Shane Hockey produced a remarkable performance for the Bulldogs with 41 possessions and 19 tackles while Haiden Schloithe wasn’t far behind, with 34 disposals and eight tackles.

Brandon Donaldson also had 31 disposals, Ryan Cook 26, Jacob Dragovich 22 and milestone man Ashton Hams 20.

Cory Dell'Olio, Mason Shaw and Matthew Parker kicked two goals each for South Fremantle.

Shane Nelson racked up another 40 possessions for West Perth with Blake Wilhelm finishing with 33, Aaron Black 29, Luke Meadows 27 and Trent Manzone 20.

Andrew Strijk kicked another three goals for West Perth, Corey Chalmers two and Keegan Knott two.

Swan Districts then had a reasonable first half against the undefeated Subiaco at Leederville Oval, but it wouldn’t last with the Lions kicking eight goals to one in the second half to run out comfortable 11.14 (80) to 4.4 (28) winners.

The win improves Subiaco to 15-0 with them already guaranteed of a fourth successive minor premiership while Swan Districts' finals hopes took a severe hit. They are now 6-10 with games against South Fremantle and Claremont to finish either side of a bye.

Leigh Kitchin and Lachlan Delahunty kicked two goals each for Subiaco with Kitchin finishing with 26 possessions and Delahunty 27 along with 15 hit outs.

Josh Deluca also had 24 disposals, Chris Phelan 24, Drew Rohde 24, Kyal Horsley 23, Hayden Kennedy 17, Rowen Powell 17, Max Walters and Ben Newton 17. Zac Clarke had 16 possessions, 57 hit outs and a goal in the ruck.

Tony Notte kicked two goals for Swan Districts with Brayden Noble and Jack O'Sullivan the other goal kickers.

Steven Payne collected 25 possessions, Corey Gault 23, Albert Dean 21 and ruckman Nathan Blakely 19 to go with 28 hit outs.

Peel Thunder was then control of its clash with East Perth at Bendigo Bank Stadium from start to finish with the reigning premiers of the past two years winning 14.8 (92) to 10.7 (67).

As a result, the Thunder improve to a 7-9 record on the season and move into fifth position on the ladder while the Royals slip to sixth at 6-9.

Tom Sheridan was brilliant for Peel with 39 possessions and two goals while Stefan Giro also had 27 disposals and two goals. Blair Bell kicked two goals as well.

Danyle Pearce compiled another 31 disposals for the Thunder, Haydn Matthews 23, James Sturrock 19, Sam Switkowski 19 and Shane Kersten 18.

Luke Partington kicked three goals for East Perth and Dom Sheed two to go with 34 possessions.

Mitch Dobson picked up another 23 disposals for the Royals, Kurt Mutimer 22, Brendon Ah Chee 21, Partington 20, Francis Watson 19 and Brayden Ainsworth 17.

ROUND 18 WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
South Fremantle 10.8 (68) defeated West Perth 10.3 (63)
Peel Thunder 14.8 (92) defeated East Perth 10.7 (67)
Subiaco 11.14 (80) defeated Swan Districts 4.4 (28)

RESERVES
South Fremantle 5.10 (40) lost to West Perth 6.10 (46)
Peel Thunder 5.5 (35) lost to East Perth 19.12 (126)
Subiaco 10.14 (74) defeated Swan Districts 8.9 (57)

COLTS
South Fremantle 3.7 (25) lost to West Perth 7.11 (53)
Peel Thunder 10.12 (72) defeated East Perth 9.9 (63)
Subiaco 9.5 (59) defeated Swan Districts 3.3 (21)

Click the graphics below for specific match reports.