Optus WAFL Round 6 WrapTuesday, May 11, 2021 - 4:20 AM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO handed Claremont its first loss of the WAFL season on Saturday while West Perth ran down Swan Districts as Peel Thunder and South Fremantle held on for wins and East Fremantle turned on their firepower with a massive win.

Round 6 action in the Optus WAFL Premiership Season saw all five matches take place on Saturday afternoon and there was some fascinating action with the league to now take a general bye for this week's State Match against South Australia in Adelaide.

The Round 6 matches saw Subiaco bounce back from its first loss of 2021 by handing Claremont its first defeat at Leederville Oval winning 13.16 (94) to 7.12 (54).

Peel Thunder consolidated their place in the top five as well by beating Perth 14.8 (92) to 11.11 (77) at Lathlain's Mineral Resources Park.

Swan Districts started strongly but for the second straight week couldn’t keep it going and this time West Perth took full advantage to win 9.8 (62) to 8.5 (53) at Joondalup's Provident Financial Oval.

South Fremantle did enough to also keep East Perth winless so far in 2021 with a 10.4 (64) to 8.9 (57) victory at Fremantle Community Bank Oval while East Fremantle took full advantage of a West Coast Eagles with precious few AFL-listed players to win 22.15 (147) to 3.4 (22) at East Fremantle's New Choice Homes Park.

The results mean that after Round 6 and leading into the State Game break that Subiaco sits out on top of the WAFL ladder with a 4-1 record but only percentage ahead of last year's Grand Finalists Claremont and South Fremantle who are also 4-1.

East Fremantle has improved to fourth spot with a 3-2 record just percentage in front of the also 3-2 Peel Thunder and Swan Districts.

That leaves West Perth (2-3), Perth (2-3), East Perth (0-5) and West Coast Eagles (0-5) filling up the rest of the spots after five games.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 6

SUBIACO 13.16 (94) defeated CLAREMONT 7.12 (54)

Subiaco bounced back from its first loss of the WAFL season to hand Claremont a first defeat on Saturday at Leederville Oval to move to the top of the ladder.

The Lions suffered their first defeat of 2021 last Saturday against South Fremantle, but they responded in remarkable fashion against the previously unbeaten Tigers this week.

Subiaco was able to hold Claremont to just one goal the entire first half while kicking nine goals themselves and leading by as much as 54 points and would go on to end up winning 13.16 (94) to 7.12 (54).

Claremont went goalless for more than two quarters during the matches and while they did outscore Subiaco six goals to four in the second half, it only cut the final margin to 40 points in the end.

Nick Martin was tremendous in attack for Subiaco kicking four goals to go with 20 possessions and eight marks. Jordan Faraone helped set up the win as well with three goals.

Sandover Medallist Lachlan Delahunty proved the most effective big man on the ground too for 29 possessions, 12 hit outs, eight marks and a goal for the Lions.

Michael Braut dominated across half-back with 27 disposals and 12 marks with Greg Clark finishing with 25 touches, Harry Marsh 23, Leigh Kitchin 21, Koby Fullgrabe 19, Jack Beverley 17 and Chad Harris 17.

Alex Manuel was lively up forward for Claremont with three goals from 18 possessions and eight marks.

Lachlan Martinis had another 26 possessions off half-back for the Tigers with Jye Bolton gathering 23 disposals, Bailey Rogers 21, Declan Mountford 21, Rylie Morgan 20, Ryan Lim 19 and Callan England 19.

Claremont was looking to remain undefeated heading into the State Game break, and the Tigers started well with the first goal of the game courtesy of Alex Manuel. That took less than a minute but just a minute later Subiaco was on the board too thanks to Nick Martin.

It was Jordan Faraone who put the Lions on top, though, with the next two goals of the game and that saw Subiaco head into the quarter-time break leading by 15 points.

Subiaco then took full control of the contest with goals to Ryan Borchet and Lachlan Delahunty in the opening four minutes of the second quarter. The lead for the Lions grew to 31 points midway through the term when Martin booted his second of the game.

Reigning fairest and best winner Kyle Stainsby then put Claremont 36 points up before two more goals just before half-time to Martin saw that grow to 48 points with a nine-goal to one first half from the Lions.

Subiaco's dominance continued to open the second half with a goal to water polo turned footballer Lewis Putt. Eventually after more than two whole quarters, Claremont got its second goal of the game courtesy of Harry McCracken.

Manuel kicked his second soon after but then goals to Faraone and Greg Clark helped Subiaco's lead back out to 55 points, and it was still 50 by three quarter-time.

Manuel's third goal to start the fourth term was at least a bright moment for Claremont but ultimately Subiaco cruised to the 40-point victory to hand the Tigers their first loss and send a real message of what they are capable of.
 

PERTH 11.11 (77) lost to PEEL THUNDER 14.8 (92)

Peel Thunder kicked four goals in the first seven minutes and eight for the opening term to set up the eventual 15-point win against Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

The Thunder have been an attacking machine at times this season surpassing the club's highest ever score in two of their wins already, and they were right on track for another high score with a blistering start against the Demons on Saturday.

Peel was on fire early to kick four goals in the game's first seven minutes and then eight goals in the opening term to be in front by 35 points at quarter-time.

However, Perth eventually worked back into the contest and was just nine points down late in the piece before Peel got the sealer from Ben Middleton to end up winning 14.8 (92) to 11.11 (77).

Ryan Bennell kicked three goals from his five kicks for Peel while Tyrone Thorne, Blair Bell and Jack Sears all kicked two goals apiece.

Thunder veteran Ben Hancock continued his career-best form with another 32 possessions while Thorne had it 29 times, Jackson Merrett 25, Brett Bewley 24, Luke Valente 23, Michael Randall 21, Jarvis Pina 20, James Sturrock 19 and Will Schofield 19 to go with 21 hit outs as a makeshift ruckman.

Kristian Cary was a good option in attack for Perth kicking four goals while Haydn Busher kicked three to go with 18 possessions and 12 marks.

Jacob Coniglio continued his impressive form down back for Perth with another 26 possessions while Doulton Langlands collected 22 disposals, Brant Colledge 21, Matthew Taylor 20, Chris Masten 18 and Regan Clarke 18.

It took only seven minutes for Peel to signal its intentions of coming away from Mineral Resources Park with a road win to take into the State Game break. 

In that time, the Thunder piled on four goals thanks to Tyrone Thorne, Ryan Bennell, Jackson Merrett and Bennell again with the Demons not knowing what hit them.

Perth did get a couple of goals back thanks to Kristian Cary, but again the Thunder took back over with four more goals to close the first term including two of them to Jack Sears as they piled on the eight goals to lead by 35 points.

A couple of quick goals to Blair Bell midway through the second term saw Peel's lead grow out to 42 points, and the Thunder were still in control to the tune of 33 points by half-time.

Another goal to Thorne to start the second half had Peel back up by 40 points but then the Demons began to mount their fight back and the margin was back to 29 points by three quarter-time.

It was then just 10 points midway through the last term after a couple of goals to Haydn Busher. Sam Stubbs kicked truly at the 26-minute mark and suddenly Perth was only nine points down, but Ben Middleton kicked the sealer for Perth and they won by 15 in the finish.
 

WEST PERTH 9.8 (62) defeated SWAN DISTRICTS 8.5 (53)

Swan Districts appeared on track for a fourth straight win when leading by 30 points early in the third quarter, but West Perth had other ideas to turn it around in stunning fashion to win by nine points at Provident Financial Oval.

Since an opening round narrow loss to Claremont, Swan Districts has been in some impressive form winning their last three matches to be knocking on the door of top spot on the WAFL ladder.

They appeared to be taking another step closer on Saturday and were on track for a fourth successive victory by opening up a five-goal lead over West Perth.

Not only did Swans appear on track for the fourth straight win, but to also celebrate the 250th game of dual Swan Medallist Tony Notte in style with a victory against the Falcons at Joondalup.

West Perth had other ideas, though, and at 1-3 over their opening four matches, the season of the Falcons could very well have been relying on them finding a way to fightback too.

West Perth responded in remarkable fashion but still by three quarter-time they were down by 15 points. The Falcons would kick the only four goals of the last term, though, to claim the memorable 9.8 (62) to 8.5 (53) victory with the loss tough to swallow for Swans.

West Perth had to find some new avenues to goal in the absence of the suspended Tyler Keitel and with Keegan Knot going goalless, and it was a former Swans powerhouse Rudy Riddoch who kicked three goals. Tyson Moulton added two.

Shane Nelson was brilliant in the middle for the Falcons with 35 possessions, eight tackles, seven inside-50 entries and six marks while Connor West collected 29 disposals, Liam Tedesco 28, Aaron Black 24, Conal Lynch 19 and Tristan Hobley 18.

The Falcons back-line worked their way on top led by Zac Guadagnin keeping Swans' leading goalscorer Jesse Palmer to three kicks and three behinds.

Premiership captain Jason Salecic played his first league game since the 2013 Grand Final, and in his 214th appearance for the Falcons was solid with 10 possessions, four marks and three tackles.

Thomas Edwards had a big hand in setting up the lead for Swan Districts with three goals from just four kicks with Brayden Noble kicking two majors.

Frank Anderson continued his outstanding form for Swan Districts with another 29 possessions and nine tackles while Jackson Beck had 25 touches, Josh Cipro 24 and Tarir Bayok 18.

Corey Gault was a dominant presence in the ruck with 26 possessions and 36 hit outs while down back, Nelson Waite finished with another 26 disposals and Chris Johnson 19 touches and nine marks.

For the second straight week Swan Districts got off to a flying start and on Saturday it was Tony Notte who almost made the perfect start to his 250th game for Swans, but his first score of the game turned out to be a behind.

But Thomas Edwards ensured Swans did kick the first goal and then they were still up by eight points at quarter-time thanks to another major from Brayden Noble.

Swan Districts then kicked further ahead during the second quarter with goals to Jiah Reidy and a second to Edwards. When Edwards kicked his third of the half just before half-time, the black-and-white were in control up by 23 points and having conceded just the one goal.

Noble added his second goal of the game to start the second half and suddenly Swans were out to a 30-point lead, and you could have been excused for thinking they were well on track for what would have been a fourth consecutive win.

But 15 minutes into the second quarter, West Perth began to make its charge back and it all began with debutant Jack Burke kicking truly.

Rudy Riddoch was able to add a couple as well before three quarter-time against his former side to help the Falcons back within 15 points with a quarter to play.

Riddoch then kicked a third to bring West Perth within eight points to start the fourth term and it was all the Falcons from there with goals to Liam Tedesco, Tyson Moulton and Tom O'Donnell as they turned that 30-point deficit into a nine-point victory.
 

SOUTH FREMANTLE 10.4 (64) defeated EAST PERTH 8.9 (57)

South Fremantle was able to hold out a determined East Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday afternoon to claim a seven-point win and continue their strong start to the 2021 season.

South Fremantle came into the game against the winless East Perth on the back of handing Subiaco its first defeat of the WAFL season the previous week, but coach Todd Curley had put the acid on his team to not show signs of complacency and to deliver an improved showing.

But the Royals were never going to make that easy and they put in a spirited performance for the whole four quarters to take the challenge right up to the Bulldogs.

South Fremantle did kick away to a 22-point lead late in the third quarter, but East Perth refused to go away and the Royals actually dominated the majority of the final term.

They got as close as two points but couldn’t quite manage the go-ahead goal before Jimmy Miller kicked the sealer for South Fremantle after a 50m penalty, and the Bulldogs would prevail 10.4 (64) to 8.9 (57).

The win improves South Fremantle to a 4-1 record after five matches this season ahead of this week's break for the State Game which sees the WAFL take on South Australia in Adelaide on Saturday.

East Perth might still be winless after five matches, but there was plenty to be encouraged about with their endeavour against the reigning premiers.

Haiden Schloithe continued his remarkable form for South Fremantle with another best on ground display made up of 35 possessions, eight marks, six tackles and three goals.

Cody Ninyette kicked another two goals for the Bulldogs from just four kicks and four marks.

Tom Blechynden had his first chance to spend extended time on the ball in his WAFL career and he made the most of it by finishing with 26 possessions. Jacob Dragovich also had 21 disposals, Brandon Donaldson 18, Matthew Parker 18 and George Wessels 15 to go with 12 tackles.

South Fremantle's back-line held up strongly again too led by Noah Strom with his battle with Eddie Simpson. Blake Schlensog ended up with 28 possessions and 12 marks, Chad Pearson 25 disposals and six marks, Jason Maskos 19 touches and nine marks, and Kye Barker 18 possessions and five marks.

Eddie Simpson and Jayden Magro kicked two goals apiece for East Perth while down back, Brad Fullgrabe did a superb job holding reigning Bernie Naylor Medallist Mason Shaw to one goal and three kicks. 

Aidan Lynch racked up 35 possessions for the Royals, Angus Scott 28, Nick Robertson 27, Stan Wright 24 and Rohan Kerr to go with 13 marks.

East Perth started the game well and got the first goal on the board through Jayden Magro before South Fremantle steadied managing three goals in the space of eight minutes.

They came from Brandon Donaldson, Cody Ninyette to help the Bulldogs to a 10-point lead at quarter-time despite both teams managing three scoring shots apiece.

The Bulldogs then opened the second quarter with a second goal to Ninyette to stretch their lead to 16 points, but the Royals responded through Shayne Hille and then Matthew Young to stay in touch.

South Fremantle again kicked away shortly before half-time with goals to Matthew Parker and Haiden Schloithe, but East Perth pulled one back through Mitch Dobson just before the siren to be within 10 points at the main break.

Suddenly it was just a four-point ball game with Eddie Simpson kicking truly for East Perth to start the second half. 

A couple of goals from Schloithe as he continued his remarkable form steadied things for the Bulldogs again, but a late goal before three quarter-time to Simpson get the Royals within 16 points.

It was then all East Perth in the final term. The Royals dominated play and continued to attack. Eventually they got two goals to show for it through Magro and Thomas Edwards-Baldwin, and they sent a real scare into the Bulldogs when just two points and with all the momentum.

But when Jimmy Miller took a powerful mark on the wing, an over exuberant Rohan Kerr ran in to tackle him before play on was called, and the 50m penalty was award with Miller going on to kick a goal that never looked like missing to seal the hard fought eight-point win for South Fremantle.
 

EAST FREMANTLE 22.15 (147) defeated WEST COAST EAGLES 3.4 (22)

East Fremantle took full advantage of a shorthanded West Coast Eagles on Saturday romping to a 125-point win where plenty of players showed just what they are capable of.

It was an incredibly dominant showing from East Fremantle who not only ended up winning 22.15 (147) to 3.4 (22), but had 37 scoring shots to seven, 65 inside-50 entries to 16 and 205 more possessions than the Eagles, 61 more marks and 31 more hit outs.

After West Coast kicked the game's first goal, East Fremantle held them goalless for the next two quarters and would end up leading by 22 points at quarter-time, 64 points at half-time, 81 points at three quarter-time and ending up winning by 125 points.

Jonathon Marsh enjoyed his time up forward for the Sharks kicking seven goals from 24 possessions and 13 marks. Max Murphy, Morgan Davies, Tim Bockman and Hugh Dixon all kicked two goals apiece.

Blake Boekhorst had a day out for East Fremantle amassing 41 possessions while Josh Schoenfeld racked up 40 disposals (13 tackles), Luke English 32, Davies 31, Cam Eardley 29, Jarrad Jansen 29, Tom Bennett 22, Dixon 21 and Bockman 20.

It was a dominant performance in the ruck form Luke Strnadica who had 24 possessions, 10 marks and 52 hit outs as well for East Fremantle.

West Coast's goals came from Xavier O'Neill, Jack Wilson and Michael Humble while O'Neill also had 34 possessions, Ben Johnson 29 and Brayden Ainsworth 23.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the game is that the Eagles actually kicked the first goal of the game a minute into it thanks to Xavier O'Neill.

But from there it was East Fremantle with the Sharks kicking the game's next 13 goals as they kicked four in the first quarter to be up by 22 points at quarter-time, and then seven in the second to be up by 64 points at the half-time interval.

East Fremantle again kicked the first two goals of the second half as well as the lead grow to 75 points before finally the Eagles got their second major courtesy of Jack Wilson.

The Sharks went on to add two more goals in the third term and then seven goals to one in the last to run out 125-point winners.