Optus WAFL Round 15 WrapMonday, July 22, 2019 - 9:31 AM - by Chris Pike

THERE were just the two games in Round 15 of the WAFL on Saturday but it proved to be two crucial victories for West Perth and Peel Thunder as they continue to battle over a finals position in 2019.

With the top five teams on the ladder Subiaco, Claremont, South Fremantle, Perth and the West Coast Eagles all having a bye in Round 15 along with the bottom place Swan Districts, it was a chance for four of the teams all locked in a fight over fifth position to lock horns.

That created for two fascinating match ups with Peel Thunder ending up beating East Fremantle 11.14 (80) to 9.5 (59) at East Fremantle's New Choice Homes Park.

It was then a thrilling Perth Derby at HBF Arena with traditional rivals West Perth and East Perth fighting out another classic encounter. On this occasion, it was the Falcons who prevailed over the Royals 12.6 (78) to 11.6 (72).

On the day West Perth celebrated the 150th game of triple fairest and best winner Shane Nelson, the Falcons held on for the win when East Perth's centre half-forward Joel Houghton couldn’t cap his standout day with a goal on the last shot of the day.

Those four teams will now sit out Round 16 action with the bye with West Perth now rising to fifth position and Peel Thunder to sixth to both leapfrog the West Coast Eagles. 

The losses for East Perth and East Fremantle make it even more challenging for them to stay in the finals race with the Royals two games from fifth spot and the Sharks three games out and with both having just four games remaining in their seasons.

ROUND 15 OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

EAST FREMANTLE 9.5 (59) lost to PEEL THUNDER 11.14 (80)

With East Fremantle just trying to keep its faint finals hopes alive and Peel Thunder attempting to break back into the top five, there was plenty on the line at New Choice Homes Park on Saturday afternoon.

Peel came into the contest fresh off losses to the Eagles and Royals, but started strongly away from home against the Sharks on Saturday kicking three goals to one in the opening quarter on the back of nine scoring shots to two.

But East Fremantle responded well in the second quarter kicking four goals to make a game of it with Peel still kicking another three goals themselves to head into half-time with a 12-point advantage.

East Fremantle kept in the contest in the third quarter too and by the time Matthew Jupp got forward to kick his first goal of 2019, the Sharks were only 10 points down by three quarter-time.

The Sharks then peppered the goals to start the fourth term and when young Jeremy Sharp kicked truly at the 16-minute mark, suddenly it was a three-point ball game.

But Peel responded impressively with the next three goals courtesy of Lachlan Cullen, Blair Bennell and Ryan Bennell to claim the 11.14 (80) to 9.5 (59) victory.

It's an important win for Peel in the context of the season too as they improve to a 6-8 record on the season to end Round 15 just percentage outside fifth position.

East Fremantle now slips to a 4-10 record and despite the improvements made this season under new coach Bill Monaghan, finals do now appear out of reach with just four games remaining.

Having gone goalless in Peel's last two games which were both losses, their leading goal kicker and dual premiership player Blair Bell found some goal scoring form again on Saturday booting three majors from seven kicks and four marks.

Bailey Banfield continued to bang down the door for a call up into the Fremantle AFL team with another two goals for the Thunder to go with 30 possessions, 12 tackles, seven marks and four inside-50 entries.

Former Essendon midfielder Jackson Merrett also continued his good form for Peel racking up a game-high 32 possessions to go with seven marks while Mitch Crowden collected 26 disposals, Jason Carter 20, captain Ben Howlett 16, Travis Colyer 16, Tom North 16, Ryan Nyhuis 16 and Tobe Watson 16.

Hugh Dixon battled hard in the ruck too for 21 possessions, five marks and 11 hit outs.

Alex Montauban came back into the East Fremantle team for his first league game since Round 4 and he kicked two goals as did Tom Monaghan.

Blaine Boekhorst continued his fine season with the Sharks on return from a knee reconstruction racking up another 31 possessions and six marks.

Tom Bennett continued his breakout season too with 29 possessions while Matthew Jupp amassed 25 disposals, 10 marks and his first goal of 2019.

Morgan Davies also collected 24 disposals, Jeremy Sharp 20, Kody Manning 19, Cameron Eardley 18 and Zach Jackson 17.

Captain Jonathon Griffin amassed 64 hit outs in the ruck.
 

WEST PERTH 12.6 (78) defeated EAST PERTH 11.6 (72)

With that natural Perth Derby rivalry always adding to each encounter between West Perth and East Perth, the fact that it was a virtual must-win clash for the Falcons and Royals only added to spectacle at HBF Arena on Saturday afternoon.

West Perth needing to win to try to move back into the top five and East Fremantle having to claim the points to stay in touch of a finals position in 2019, there was plenty on the line between the arch-rivals.

And with so much at stake, little separated the two teams all afternoon and it was a game that went right down to the last kick of the day in the finish.

East Perth started strongly with Sharrod Wellingham kicking a goal inside a minute in what will likely be his last derby against West Perth.

The Falcons then responded with the next two goals courtesy of Liam Tedesco and Kris Shannon before East Perth regained a narrow advantage when Joel Houghton kicked truly.

But with a goal just before quarter-time, the lively Keegan Knott put West Perth five points up at the first break.

Houghton's second goal regained the lead for the Royals to start the second term and then fellow key forward target Eddie Simpson stretched the lead to seven points in his first derby experience since crossing from Claremont.

Then after Rudy Riddoch and Wellingham shared goals, West Perth regained a narrow one-point lead by half-time thanks to a late goal from Tyler Keitel.

West Perth captain Aaron Black then extended his team's lead with the first goal of the second half but Simpson responded in kind in his best game since joining the Royals.

Simpson then kicked another to put the Royals five points up before West Perth regained a one-point edge thanks to Slade Hawkins.

Two quick goals in two minutes from Riddoch saw him stretch the Falcons lead to 13 points but East Perth weren’t going away and were back within two by three quarter-time.

Houghton's third goal of the day saw East Perth regain the lead to star the last term in what would prove to be a tight and tense finish to the contest.

Michael Lourey pulled scores level when he goaled for West Perth at the 12-minute mark and that would be the last score for 11 minutes until Blake Wilhelm kicked his first goal of the season at the most important time.

Houghton had one last chance on the siren for the Royals but he couldn’t score and West Perth won 12.6 (78) to 11.6 (72).

The victory takes the Falcons back into fifth position on the ladder with a 7-7 record while East Perth slips to 5-9.

Continuing the best and most consistent season of his now 71-game WAFL career, Rudy Riddoch kicked another three goals to go with 16 possessions and six marks.

Keegan Knott also grabbed his chances well for the Falcons kicking two goals from four kicks.

West Perth chose the occasion to celebrate the 150-game milestone of triple Breckler Medal winner, premiership player and six-time WAFL State Team representative, and he delivered 30 possessions, six marks, five tackles and four inside-50 entries.

Captain Aaron Black also gathered 28 disposals, Corey Chalmers 25, Blake Wilhelm 25, Aidan Lynch 24, Trent Manzone 21, Tyler Keitel 19, Michael Lourey 17, Kris Shannon 17 and Mitch Peirce 16 to go with 10 tackles.

Joel Houghton played his best game with East Perth finishing with three goals, 18 possessions and 10 marks while Claremont recruit Eddie Simpson also booted three majors to go with 12 disposals and four marks.

Sharrod Wellingham and Mitch Dobson kicked two goals apiece as well for East Perth.

Jackson Ramsay continued his stunning form with the Royals amassing another 39 possessions while Kye Willcocks gathered 23 touches, Stan Wright 21, Julian Ameduri 21, Matthew Young 21, Nelson Waite 20, Shaquille McKenzie 19.

Ajang Ajang produced another standout performance in the ruck too made up of 21 possessions, five marks, five inside-50 entries and 40 hit outs.