WAFL Team of Round 5Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - 11:10 AM - by Chris Pike

SOUTH Fremantle, West Perth and Claremont all took a further step towards being part of the WAFL finals in 2020 with wins on Saturday while Subiaco kept its hopes alive and they were tremendously led by captain Leigh Kitchin.

Round 5 in the WAFL saw all four matches again take place on Saturday afternoon with South Fremantle beating Swan Districts 10.7 (67) to 7.5 (47) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Subiaco also overcame Peel Thunder 10.15 (75) to 5.8 (38) at Mandurah's David Grays Arena while West Perth beat Perth 13.12 (90) to 12.11 (83) at Lathlain's Mineral Resources Park, and Claremont downed East Perth 12.14 (86) to 8.4 (52) at Leederville Oval.

There were once more plenty of contenders for spots in the Team of the Round too and that saw usual defenders Bailey Rogers and Andrew Fisher push for a case in the midfield, but it was hard to push out the likes of George Hampson, Aaron Black, Ben Newton, Chris Masten, Matthew Taylor, Leigh Kitchin and Jake Florenca.

The ruck battle between Lachlan Delahunty and Corey Gault was tough to split too.

There were a whole host of forwards putting in starring performances with Tyler Keitel kicking six goals, Mason Shaw four, Leigh Kohlmann three, Anton Hamp three, Jack Richardson three, Nick Martin three and Logan McDonald three, but not all of them could find a position. 

Haiden Schloithe and Ben Newton could have just easily found spots in the midfield as they did across half-forward while down back, Haydn Busher and Chad Pearson fill the key position roles but any of Rogers, Fisher, Blake Wilhelm, Jesse Turner, Jason Maskos, Ben Hancock, Josh Bootsma and Austin Davis all had strong cases.

Now after five rounds and with just four weeks remaining before the finals get underway, South Fremantle (5-0) sits clear on top of the WAFL ladder ahead of West Perth (4-1), Claremont (4-1) and Perth (3-1).

Subiaco (2-2) is just outside the top four in fifth position ahead of East Perth (1-3), East Fremantle (1-3), Swan Districts (0-4) and Peel Thunder (0-5). 

PLAYER OF THE ROUND – LEIGH KITCHIN
He has had a remarkable impact at Subiaco since arriving for the 2015 season and he is now a premiership captain, but never have the Lions needed his leadership more and he delivered his best performance of 2020 to date on Saturday.

Leigh Kitchin arrived at Subiaco in 2015 virtually as a like-for-like replacement inside midfielder for Jason Bristow who had just won the Simpson Medal in 2014, so from the outset he had big boots to fill and he has done the job in outstanding fashion.

Kitchin has been the mainstay in the Subiaco midfield now over his 110-game WAFL career since joining the Lions and along the way won premierships in 2015, 2018 and 2019 – including last year as captain for the first time.

He hasn’t fallen short in racking up the individual accolades either playing for the WAFL State Team in all five of the previous seasons he's been in the competition while winning the fairest and best award at Subiaco in 2017 and finishing fourth in the Sandover Medal that same year.

Not only were Bristow's shoes big to fill back in 2015, but as captain those of Kyal Horsley last year were even bigger but Kitchin has shown he's up to every challenge.

But the challenge might be even more significant in 2020 with how many quality, experienced premiership players the Lions are missing and with how young their group is.

So they need Kitchin to lead from the front and he did that in brilliant fashion in Saturday's win in Mandurah over Peel Thunder with 28 possessions, eight tackles and eight inside-50 entries to keep the Lions in the finals hunt.

Players of the Round
Round 1 – Chris Masten (Perth)
Round 2 – Logan McDonald (Perth)
Round 3 – Tyler Keitel (West Perth)
Round 4 – Noah Strom (South Fremantle)
Round 5 – Leigh Kitchin (Subiaco)

BACK POCKET – BLAKE WILHELM (West Perth)
Is nearing his 100-game milestone and might get rarely talked about, but is one of his team's most important players and when he plays well in setting up playing out of the back-line, they are tough to stop. He was important again in the win against Perth with 20 possessions, three marks and two inside-50 entries.

FULL-BACK – HAYDN BUSHER (Claremont)
With Anton Hamp going forward in 2020, he has had to settle into the key defensive role once again and he continued his fine form in the win against East Perth on Saturday. He did a tremendous job keeping Royals forward Jonathan Freeman quiet when matched up on him and he had nine disposals, two marks and two tackles himself.

BACK POCKET – JESSE TURNER (Swan Districts)
Is almost a 100-game player now at Swan Districts and split his time mostly between being an inside and outside midfielder, but he's moved to the half-back line in 2020 and is doing a tremendous job of it with his running ability and chance to set up play a highlight. Was superb against South Fremantle with 29 psosessions, five marks and four tackles.

HALF-BACK FLANK – BAILEY ROGERS (Claremont)
The creative and prolific half-back spent more time than usual in the midfield for Claremont on Saturday and was instrumental in the eventual win against East Perth. Finished the afternoon with 22 possessions, seven marks, four inside-50 entries and a goal.

CENTRE HALF-BACK – CHAD PEARSON (South Fremantle)
He remains one of the most exciting emerging talent in the WAFL and it wouldn’t surprise to see him in the AFL system before long based on his consistency and versatility. Has spent a bit of time in the midfield this season but it's down back where he's still best at home and was tremendous against Swan Districts for 24 possessions, eight marks and four tackles.

HALF-BACK FLANK – ANDREW FISHER (Perth)
Is one of the three players that Perth was able to secure on the eve of the season once the West Coast Eagles would no longer be fielding a team in the WAFL competition for 2020, and like Fraser McInnes and Brady Grey, is having a significant impact. Spent more time in the midfield against West Perth on Saturday and was impressive with 22 possessions, inside 50s and five tackles.

WING – GEORGE HAMPSON (Swan Districts)
Was sorely missed over the opening two weeks when he was missing with a hamstring injury but is warming up nicely now and both through the middle and when going forward on Saturday, had a big say in Swans' competitive showing against the unbeaten South Fremantle. The fairest and best winner from three different clubs finished with 22 disposals, four marks, three tackles and a goal.

CENTRE – AARON BLACK (West Perth)
The West Perth captain might very well be at the peak of his powers right now and that's a player who starred in the 2013 premiership, won the 2014 Sandover Medal and has claimed two fairest and best awards over his 197-game career. He was brilliant again against Perth with 29 possessions, seven inside 50s, five marks and three tackles.

WING – CHRIS MASTEN (Perth)
The former West Coast Eagles veteran of 215 games and AFL premiership player has thrown himself fully into life at Perth in 2020, and after being Player of the Week back in Round 1, he has maintained consistent form and was again a strong performer in Saturday's narrow loss to West Perth. Finished with 22 possessions, four marks, three tackles and two inside-50 entries.

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – HAIDEN SCHLOITHE (South Fremantle)
When you are a Sandover Medallist, dual fairest and best winner and a life member of your club having played 153 games, it's difficult to say you are in career-best form and we're not saying that, but his clean hands and accurate ball use continue to make him a standout. Produced another 27 possessions, six tackles and two goals in win over Swan Districts. 

CENTRE HALF-FORWARD – TYLER KEITEL (West Perth)
He delivered a 100th game he will never forget for West Perth on Saturday against Perth. The reigning West Perth fairest and best winner and former Bernie Naylor Medallist turned on a stunning opening with five first half goals and ended his milestone afternoon with six goals from 13 possessions, four marks and three tackles.

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – BEN NEWTON (Subiaco)
He has always had the ability to be an outstanding, hard-running, goal kicking midfielder but it's only been his body holding him back from reaching his full potential. But he is having a tremendous 2020 season so far and was superb in win against Peel with 20 touches, five inside-50 entries and two goals.

FORWARD POCKET – NICK MARTIN (Subiaco)
It's a Subiaco forward-line missing some star power from last year but he is helping ensure the production is covered for in his first taste of WAFL football in 2020. Has taken to the next level tremendously well and was instrumental in the win over Peel with 15 possessions, eight marks and three goals.

FULL-FORWARD – MASON SHAW (South Fremantle)
The South Fremantle spearhead has become the focal point of the opposition's defence so it hasn’t been an easy 2020 for him so far, but he had a more enjoyable afternoon on Saturday going on to kick four goals from 10 kicks and nine marks to now have 12 goals on the season.

FORWARD POCKET – ANTON HAMP (Claremont)
He has largely flown under the radar for a lot of his 150-game career with Claremont whether it was in his early years trying to establish himself as a forward, or recent years when he's been a rock solid defender or now in 2020 as he moves back to the spearhead in attack. But he was huge in his milestone game kicking three second half goals to go with 17 possessions and 11 marks.

RUCK – LACHLAN DELAHUNTY (Subiaco)
The reigning Sandover Medallist has been thrown into the No. 1 ruck role again so far in 2020 at Subiaco and it's been a bit of a rougher start than he's been used to during his remarkable career to date at the Lions. But he continues to work tremendously hard and had 18 disposals, 39 hit outs and three marks on Saturday.

ROVER – JAKE FLORENCA (South Fremantle)
Has turned himself from someone two years who couldn’t quite cement a spot in a strong and experienced South Fremantle side to now being the Bulldogs' prime ball winner in an undefeated side in 2020. Was superb again in the win against Swan Districts with 26 possessions, five tackles and four marks.

INTERCHANGE – COREY GAULT (Swan Districts)
Has been the best ruckman in the competition so far this season as he has returned to the role that won him a Swan Medal and saw him named to the WAFL Team of the Year back in 2017. Had another strong performance against South Fremantle to end the day with 18 possessions, 36 hit outs and four inside-50 entries.

INTERCHANGE – LOGAN MCDONALD (Perth)
What an impact this teenager continues to make in his first WAFL season. He is only four games into his league career but has been among the best players on the ground in each of those and Saturday against West Perth was no different. Was a lively and dangerous forward for the Demons going on to kick three goals from 15 disposals and six marks.

INTERCHANGE – CALLAN ENGLAND (Claremont)
The lively small forward had an impressive day on Saturday for the Tigers against the Royals spending most of his time forward with the occasion stint in the midfield. Ended up kicking a goal to go with 21 possessions, seven marks and six inside-50 entries.

INTERCHANGE – MATTHEW TAYLOR (Perth)
The big-bodied Perth midfielder is carrying more of a load in the absence of senior players at the Demons including Corey Yeo, Corey Byrne and this week, Michael Sinclair, but he is showing up to the increased responsibility. Ended the game on Saturday with 22 disposals and five marks.
 

UNLUCKY BUNCH
There were plenty of players who delivered tremendous performances across Round 5 but couldn’t quite fit into the Team of the Round, including:

South Fremantle captain Dylan Main and small defender Jason Maskos.

Swan Districts' Sam Fisher and Leigh Kohlmann.

Peel Thunder's Jackson Merrett, James Ewing, Blair Bell, Ben Hancock and Josh Bootsma.

Subiaco pair Wil Hickmott and Max Walters.

Perth's Chris Masten, Austin Davis, Brady Grey and Jack Richardson.

West Perth's Luke Meadows, Trent Manzone and Dylan Yem.

East Perth's Rohan Kerr, Jackson Ramsay, Kye Willcocks, Angus Schumacher and Matthew Young.

Claremont's Kane Mitchell, Declan Mountford and Jake Waterman.