Optus WAFL Round 12 WrapTuesday, June 29, 2021 - 9:05 AM - by Chris Pike

IT was a remarkable day of action in Round 12 of the WAFL on Saturday and with three games in time-on of the last quarter only separated by one solitary point, it's hard to imagine a more thrilling set of fixtures.

While South Fremantle and the West Coast Eagles had a slightly more comfortable time of things in their wins against Perth and East Fremantle on Saturday, the other three games proved to be fascinating nail-biting contests.

With timing running out on all three games, Subiaco had stormed back to get within a point of Swan Districts while East Perth had come from behind to lead Peel Thunder by a point and West Perth was also clinging to a one-point advantage.

With so much at stake in the context of the season as well for each result, it was Swan Districts who clung to a 7.12 (54) to 8.5 (53) win against Subiaco at Leederville Oval. 

It was Swans' first win against the Lions since 2015 while consolidates Swan Districts in the top five and it's a second straight loss for Subiaco.

East Perth made it consecutive wins as well for the first time this season while overrunning Peel to hand the Thunder a fifth consecutive defeat as the Royals ran out 13.10 (88) to 12.9 (81) victors at Mandurah's David Grays Arena.

West Perth then made it three straight wins by finishing the stronger over Claremont with the Falcons scoring the 10.10 (70) over the Tigers to snap their four-match winning streak in the process at Joondalup's Provident Financial Oval.

South Fremantle was able to consolidate third spot by snapping their four-game losing slide against Perth with a comfortable 15.5 (95) to 8.13 (61) victory at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The West Coast Eagles also made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season by proving too good for East Fremantle, winning 15.5 (95) to 6.12 (48) at New Choice Homes Park to turnaround a 125-point hammering from earlier in the season.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 12

SUBIACO 8.5 (53) lost to SWAN DISTRICTS 7.12 (54)

Swan Districts answered the call to snap its losing run against Subiaco at Leederville Oval on Saturday by coming away with a dramatic one-point victory.

Subiaco had enjoyed a great dominance over Swan Districts in recent years having won 12 straight matches against them coming into Saturday's clash, including seven in-a-row on their home turf at Leederville Oval.

But this was a different Swan Districts outfit who were determined to bounce back from their loss a week ago to West Perth and make a stand against the Lions.

Swans ended up controlling most of the contest and then withstood the Lions fightback that was always going to come to hold on for the thrilling 7.12 (54) to 8.5 (53) victory.

It is a first win for Swan Districts against Subiaco since Round 20, 2015 and their first against the Lions at Leederville Oval since Round 7, 2014.

It's the first win for Swan Districts against Subiaco under coaching of recently re-signed coach Adam Pickering as well.

Aidan Clarke and Jiah Reidy kicked two goals apiece for Swan Districts but Jesse Palmer threatened to have a match-winning day. He had seven shots on goal from 13 kicks and eight marks, but only ended up kicking 1.6 for the afternoon.

Swan Districts had some impressive performers through the middle but the change in dynamics to the team with the addition of debutant ruckman Matthew Germs was stark. 

Corey Gault had already confirmed himself as the league's standout ruckman, but the chance to use him up forward was an opportunity too good to pass up. 

As a result, Germs did well in the middle on debut with eight disposals and 21 hit outs while Gault contributed well up forward and on the ball for 16 touches, five marks and 17 hit outs.

Jesse Turner also racked up 28 possessions for Swans, Josh Cipro 22, Sam Fisher 20, Frank Anderson 19, Brandon Erceg 19 and Lewis Jetta 18. Mitchell Bain came into the team too and battled hard for 13 disposals, six marks and six tackles.

Nick Martin was Subiaco's best option in attack for the afternoon kicking three goals from 11 kicks and nine marks.

Subiaco captain Leigh Kitchin worked tirelessly as well for 25 possessions, eight tackles, six marks and a goal while Harry Marsh contributed 24 disposals, Chad Harris 23, Liam Hickmott 21, Greg Clark 19 and Brandon Matera 19.

Lachlan Delahunty was up against both Corey Gault and Matthew Germs in the ruck, and did well for 23 disposals, nine marks and 22 hit outs.

Recent history between the two teams said Swan Districts were right up against it having lost 12 straight against Subiaco, but this Swans team shot out of the gates determined to make a stand.

The only problem was their first four scoring shots were all behinds before eventually Aidan Clarke managed to kick truly at the 11-minute mark. Ben Sokol responded immediately, though, for Subiaco.

Swans still went into quarter-time leading by 10 points thanks to a goal to Jiah Reidy and then Clarke's second early in the second term had the visitors out to a handy 14-point edge.

Subiaco again responded quickly, this time through Nick Martin before eventually Swan Districts snapped a string of behinds with a goal to Jesse Palmer which helped them to a 16-point lead by the half-time interval.

Swans snapping that run against Subiaco became a realistic possibility early in the second half when the black-and-whites continued to pepper the goals. They had the first five scoring shots of the second half but only one turned into a goal and that was through Reidy.

But still the lead got out to 26 points before a couple of Subiaco goals to Brandon Matera and Michael Braut just before three quarter-time.

Subiaco was back within seven points to start the fourth quarter with a goal to Martin but Swan Districts responded through Lachlan Riley. The Lions kept their charge going and got back within a point after goals to Max Walters and Leigh Kitchin, but Swans held on to win by that margin.
 

PEEL THUNDER 12.9 (81) lost to EAST PERTH 13.10 (88)

For yet another time this season, Peel Thunder looked capable of delivering a winning performance but they couldn’t put together four quarters to end up overrun by East Perth at David Grays Arena on Saturday.

As a result, East Perth was able to make it consecutive wins for the first time this season on the back of their storming home finish to beat Peel 13.10 (88) to 12.9 (81) in Mandurah.

The strong finish from the Royals saw them back up their win over South Fremantle from two weeks ago while for Peel, it's a fifth consecutive defeat to see them slip to a 3-7 record despite playing some impressive football over much of the opening 10 matches.

Jayden Magro's lethal left boot continues to allow him to make the most of the opportunities he gets for East Perth and he kicked another four goals from nine kicks and four tackles in Saturday's eventual seven-point win over Peel.

Eddie Simpson had a tough time getting away from Will Schofield for much of the day, but when he went off after a nasty clash in the second half, Simpson took advantage to end up with two goals, 16 possessions and nine marks.

East Perth captain Jackson Ramsay returned from injury and was brilliant with 32 possessions, nine inside 50s and six marks while Angus Scott racked up 29 disposals, Angus Schumacher 23, Stan Wright 22, Rohan Kerr 21, Nathan Blee 19 and Christian Ameduri 18.

Bailey Banfield, Connor Blakely and Stefan Giro all kicked two goals apiece for Peel with Banfield also finishing with 18 possessions, Blakely 27 and Giro 20.

Nathan O'Driscoll also picked up 26 possessions, 10 marks and five tackles while Tobe Watson had 21 touches, Jarvis Pina 21, Jackson Merrett 19, Luke Valente 18 and Joel Western 18.

Lloyd Meek was tremendous in the ruck again with 21 disposals, five marks and 30 hit outs.

Peel started strongly on home turf as they attempted to return to the winner's list with the game's first two goals through Bailey Banfield and Connor Blakely. 

East Perth got one back through Christian Ameduri, but the Thunder responded courtesy of Blakely with his second and Peel went into quarter-time leading by 14 points.

It took less than a minute into the second quarter for the Thunder to stretch their lead to 20 points with a goal to Jack Sears, and 10 minutes later the lead was out to 26 when Stefan Giro kicked truly.

The teams traded goals for most of the rest of the opening half until Peel got the last say with a goal to Giro at the 29-minute mark that saw the Thunder take a commanding 33-point edge into half-time.

Peel's lead then blew out to a game-high 34 points to start the second half and really there was no sign of what was to come, but East Perth dominated the rest of the way.

Three quick goals to Jayden Magro (two) and Shayne Hille cut the margin in half and then when Nick Merritt kicked truly against his former side just before three quarter-time, it was just a nine-point ball game.

Peel did steady out to a 15-point lead to start the final term with a goal to Brayden Lawler, but East Perth had the momentum and belief by now to carry on with the job.

Two more goals to Magro had the Royals within a point before Ajang Ajang put them in front. It went goal for goal the rest of the way but Eddie Simpson ultimately put East Perth back on top for good at the 30-minute mark and the Royals went on to win by seven.
 

WEST PERTH 10.10 (70) defeated CLAREMONT 8.8 (56)

West Perth and Claremont battles for a long time now haven't failed to disappoint, and Saturday at Joondalup was no different with the Falcons coming away with the 14-point victory.

Claremont was looking to celebrate the 100th game of dual Sandover Medallist and four-time Simpson Medal winner Jye Bolton in style while also to maintain top position on the WAFL ladder, but West Perth would have other ideas.

The Falcons ended up kicking the last two goals of the game to claim the 10.10 (70) to 8.8 (56) win at Provident Financial Oval.

The win makes it three in-a-row for West Perth to steady them inside the top five with a 6-4 record while Claremont suffered its second loss of the season and saw its four-game winning streak come to an end in the process.

Tyler Keitel kicked another three goals for West Perth from nine kicks and five marks with Rudy Riddoch chipping in with another two goals.

West Perth captain Aaron Black was brilliant all afternoon finishing with 34 possessions, 12 tackles and nine marks while Shane Nelson had another 25 disposals, Tristan Hobley 22, Nathan Murray 22, Tyson Moulton 20, Dean Munns 20 and Mitch Peirce 20.

Bailey Rogers went forward for Claremont to kick three goals while Alex Manuel was the only other Tigers multiple goalkicker with two.

In his 100th appearance in the WAFL for Claremont, Jye Bolton had another standout performance for the Tigers with 29 possessions, six inside 50s, four marks and two tackles.

Ben Edwards also had 25 touches, Jared Hardisty 25, Declan Mountford 22, Ryan Lim 20 and Jake Patmore 20 while ruckman Oliver Eastland delivered 22 disposals, 39 hit outs, four marks and three tackles.

Claremont made a fast start to the contest away from home with the opening four scoring shots of the game, but only one of those turned into a goal and that came courtesy of Alex Manuel.

West Perth got its first score on the board at the 12-minute mark and that was with a goal to Tyler Keitel. He soon added a second and then Tom O'Donnell kicked a third for the Falcons to give them a 10-point edge.

Claremont got a goal back through young gun Jacob Van Rooyen but then West Perth went into quarter-time still up by 10 thanks to a third goal of the opening term to Keitel.

Mitch Peirce then managed the first goal of the second quarter to stretch the West Perth lead to 16 points and that soon grew to 23 thanks to former Tiger Keegan Knott. 

But Claremont finished the half with a pair of goals to Rogers and Isaac Barton to cut the Falcons lead to 12 points.

West Perth pulled back out to an 18-point edge to start the second half with a goal to Tom Boyes but by three quarter-time Claremont had assumed the lead on the back of majors to Jack Buller, Manuel and Rogers.

Rogers then kicked his third to open the last term and give the Tigers a seven-point edge but West Perth wasn’t done with yet and got one back through Rudy Riddoch.

The Tigers wouldn’t score again after a behind to Tyron Smallwood at the nine-minute mark. West Perth got back within a point with that goal to Riddoch and then sealed the deal with another to Riddoch and then thanks to Dean Munns to secure the 14-point win.
 

SOUTH FREMANTLE 15.5 (95) defeated PERTH 8.13 (61)

South Fremantle might have been full of youth but proved too strong for Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday running out 34-point winners.

South Fremantle came into the game without the injured Brock Higgins, Dylan Main and Brandon Donaldson while experienced premiership defender Blayne Wilson was working his way back in the reserves from injury along with Zac Dent.

That meant the Bulldogs hosted the Demons on Saturday with two more debutants Aiden Hall and Trent Newton with Toby McQuilkin, Jarrod Salmeri, Manfred Kelly, Travis Abbott, Hamish Free, Regan Spooner and Jarrad Doney all having played only a handful of games.

But the Bulldogs delivered an emphatic performance to bounce back from their loss to East Perth two weeks ago to come away with the 15.5 (95) to 8.13 (61) win over Perth.

The win snaps a run of Perth beating South Fremantle in the last four meetings between the sides with the Bulldogs now just percentage out of second position with a 7-3 record on the season while the Demons are struggling at 4-6.

Reigning Bernie Naylor Medallist Mason Shaw was captain of the Bulldogs for the day in the absence of Dylan Main and he stepped up to kick four goals from seven kicks and six marks.

Manfred Kelly also played the best game of his young league career with three goals for the Bulldogs while Cody Ninyette kicked three goals as well against the team he twice led their goalkicking in.

South Fremantle's back-line was superb as well with Chad Pearson providing great drive with his 31 possessions and eight marks. 

Blake Schlensog repelled Perth attack after attack too with 22 disposals and six marks while Jason Maskos did well quieting the dangerous Kristian Cary and having 16 touches and eight marks himself. 

Regan Spooner impressed down back too with 15 possessions and eight marks while Toby McQuilkin stood up well with 12 touches and four tackles.

Then through the middle, Tom Blechynden racked up 27 disposals for South Fremantle, Nick Suban 23, Jacob Dragovich 14 and ruckman Hamish Free 13 to go with 34 hit outs.

South Fremantle also blooded two more debutants and they both stood up well with Trent Newton finishing with nine possessions and three marks, and Aiden Hall 12 touches and a goal.

Mitch Browne was lively for Perth as a small forward earning six shots on goal and converting two of them from 15 possessions and five marks while Jayden Quill also kicked two goals.

Perth captain Michael Sinclair tried to stem the tide down back with 20 possessions and nine marks while Andrew Fisher did well running with Haiden Schloithe and limiting his impact for South Fremantle.

Jordon Reid came in and fought hard in the ruck for 14 possessions, five marks, four tackles and 27 hit outs while Brady Grey collected 20 disposals (eight tackles), Austin Davis 20, Brant Colledge 19, Kasey Nicholas 17 and Jack Avery 16.

South Fremantle was keen to make up for those past four losses to Perth over the last couple of years and started strongly with a goal inside 30 seconds to Mason Shaw in a scramble for a loose ball bouncing towards goal.

Four minutes later and Shaw kicked his second before Manfred Kelly got on the board too and South Fremantle had three goals in less than nine minutes.

Perth got on the board when Jayden Quill kicked truly but Zac Strom ran into an open goal and slotted it to keep the Bulldogs to an 18-point edge. 

Then following a Kristian Cary goal for Perth, South Fremantle ended the quarter with a third to Shaw and another to Travis Abbott to see the Bulldogs up by 24 points at quarter-time.

The Bulldogs further asserted their dominance over the contest in the second term by holding the Demons to just three behinds. 

Meanwhile, Cody Ninyette, Jimmy Miller and debutant Aiden Hall added goals for South Fremantle, and a second to Kelly gave the Bulldogs a dominant 45-point lead at the major break on the back of kicking 10 goals straight.

Kelly managed his third goal to start the second half well for South Fremantle but Perth did manage one back thanks to Jack Steel. However, the Bulldogs kicked the next two with Shaw's fourth and another to Ben Rioli before the Demons got another back through Mitch Browne.

Ninyette's second goal for the Bulldogs saw the lead back out to 53 points and it was still 46 by three quarter-time despite Quill kicking a second goal for Perth.

Perth did manage to kick three goals to one in the final quarter but that only cut South Fremantle's final winning margin to 34 points.
 

EAST FREMANTLE 6.12 (48) lost to WEST COAST EAGLES 15.5 (95)

The turnaround from when these two teams last met couldn’t have been more dramatic with the West Coast Eagles pulling off a 172-point turnaround with Saturday's 47-point victory against East Fremantle.

The Sharks hammered the Eagles by 125 points also at New Choice Homes Park back in Round 6, but six rounds later and it was a totally different story at the same venue.

West Coast had more AFL-listed players available and a strong looking line-up while the Sharks were missing some key midfielders and targets in attack including Jonathon Marsh, Hugh Dixon and Dillon O'Reilly.

The result was a dominant performance from the Eagles who went on to win 15.5 (95) to 6.12 (48) to make it back-to-back wins and deny the Sharks a chance keep pressure on for a top five spot.

Zac Langdon kicked three goals to go with 20 possessions and six marks for the Eagles while Jarrod Garlett and Kieran Hug also kicked three goals apiece.

Mark Hutchings continued his terrific form for West Coast with another 26 possessions and nine tackles while Alex Witherden finished with 25 disposals, Xavier O'Neill 23, Zane Trew 22, Jarrod Brander 21, Jamaine Jones 21, Brayden Ainsworth 21, Luke Foley 20 and Hamish Brayshaw 20.

It was a tough afternoon for East Fremantle despite 31 possessions, 13 marks and a goal from Blaine Boekhorst. 

Kyle Baskerville had another 30 possessions running out of defence while Morgan Davies finished with 30 disposals (nine tackles), Jarrad Jansen 18, Tom Bennett 17 and Luke English 17.

West Coast was buoyed by their first win of the season the previous week and started strongly against a Sharks team they lost to earlier in the season by a mammoth 125 points. 

Jarrod Garlett kicked the first goal of the game for the Eagles but it was two goals apiece by quarter-time with scores all locked away.

West Coast began to pull away in the second quarter by kicking the only three goals through Joey Deegan, Mark Hutchings and Xavier O'Neill to head into half-time leading by 18 points.

The Eagles continued to push further ahead in the second half starting with a goal to Bailey Williams, and then three in the space of four minutes to small forward Kieran Hug. His little purple patch saw the Eagles open up a 42-point lead.

East Fremantle got a couple of goals back just before three quarter-time but the Eagles remained in command with the 27-point edge.

The Eagles snuffed out any sign of a Sharks comeback starting the fourth term with goals to Langdon, Hamish Brayshaw and then two in succession to Garlett.

West Coast's lead grew to as much as 59 points in the last quarter before the Eagles settled on the 51-point victory against the Sharks.