WAFL Team of Round 16Wednesday, July 28, 2021 - 2:21 PM - by Chris Pike

ROUND 16 in the 2021 Optus WAFL Premiership Season might have seen the top five teams all further consolidate their hold on a finals spot, but there were plenty of standout performances too.

Round 16 saw Subiaco, Claremont, West Perth and Swan Districts all win while inside the top to ensure those top five teams all hold at least a four-game and percentage gap on the chasing pack as finals approach.

Four of the five games in Round 16 took place on Saturday afternoon with Swan Districts defeating Perth 13.13 (91) to 10.7 (67) at Steel Blue Oval.

Swans' midfield pair of Sam Fisher (37 possessions, two goals) and Frank Anderson (31 touches) were brilliant while Corey Byrne had 26 touches and two goals for Perth with Kristian Cary kicking four goals.

Claremont blew away East Fremantle in the third quarter to set up a 14.12 (96) to 7.11 (53) victory at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Callan England and Jake Patmore kicked four goals each for Claremont while Bailey Rogers had 33 possessions and two goals. Nick Kommer kicked three goals for East Fremantle while Kyle Baskerville had it 34 times.

West Perth then won its sixth straight match to improve to third position on the ladder with a 12.10 (82) to 8.10 (58) victory against Peel Thunder at Provident Financial Oval.

Tyler Keitel kicked seven goals for West Perth with Shane Nelson gathering 34 possessions and Aaron Black 32. Ben Hancock battled hard for Peel with 30 disposals while Tyrone Thorne and Jackson Knight kicked two goals.

The West Coast Eagles held off a fast finishing East Perth to win 14.8 (92) to 13.12 (90) at Leederville Oval with Jackson Nelson gathering 32 touches, Hamish Brayshaw 27, Alex Witherden 25 and Luke Foley 25. Angus Scott had 33 possessions for the Royals.

Then on Sunday at Leederville, Subiaco returned to the top of the ladder with a dominant 10.13 (73) to 4.5 (29) victory against the reigning premiers South Fremantle.

Michael Braut kicked three goals for Subiaco with Leigh Kitchin racking up 33 possessions and Greg Clark 32. Haiden Schloithe had 29 disposals for South Fremantle.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND – OLIVER EASTLAND (Claremont)
It has taken him some time to earn the chance to be considered the No. 1 ruckman at Claremont, but he has certainly done that now and in fact is one of the better big man in the WAFL in 2021.

As a younger man trying to force his way into Claremont's league team, he was seen more of a key forward with good mobility and size who could chip in and help out in the ruck rather than someone who could hold down the ruck position.

Thought of perhaps as a little undersized and not quite physical enough to go up against the monsters like Brock Higgins or Scott Jones or remarkable athletes like Lachlan Delahunty, he had to bide his time.

He only played 20 league games in total over the 2017 and 2018 seasons, and then did play 15 in 2019 when Claremont got all the way to the preliminary final, but his role was mostly as a tall forward while helping out Jeremy Goddard in the ruck.

Goddard continued to be viewed as the No. 1 ruckman in last year's shortened and belated season, but by the halfway mark, then coach Darren Harris decided to throw the keys to Eastland as the No. 1 big man for the Tigers and he wasn’t let down.

That's why returning coach Ashley Prescott has been willing to do the same in 2021 so far and the result is that Eastland is putting together a season that has him viewed among the best handful of ruckmen in the competition.

He was pitted against the tall, athletic and talented Luke Strnadica in Saturday's game with East Fremantle and clearly had the better of the duel.

He delivered one of the best performances of his 57-game WAFL career finishing with 21 possessions, 10 marks, 39 hit outs, six tackles and three inside-50 entries to be instrumental in the eventual 43-point victory.

Players of the Round
Round 1 – Josh Schoenfeld (East Fremantle)
Round 2 – Sam Fisher (Swan Districts)
Round 3 – Greg Clark (Subiaco)
Round 5 – Haiden Schloithe (South Fremantle)
Round 6 – Tyrone Thorne (Peel Thunder)
Round 7 – Keegan Knott (West Perth)
Round 8 – Jye Bolton (Claremont)
Round 9 – Tyler Keitel (West Perth)
Round 10/11 – Jonathon Marsh (East Fremantle)
Round 12 – Jackson Ramsay (East Perth)
Round 14 – Warrick Wilson (Swan Districts)
Round 15 – Angus Schumacher (East Perth)
Round 16 – Oliver Eastland (Claremont)

BACK POCKET – MATTHEW JUPP (East Fremantle)
The East Fremantle captain continues to lead the Sharks admirably from the full-back spot and he held up tremendously well on Saturday again despite Claremont going inside their forward 50 on 57 occasions. He did a terrific lockdown job on young Tigers forward Jack Buller keeping him scoreless while having five kicks and five marks himself.
Times named in 2021: 3

FULL-BACK – JORDAN LOCKYER (Subiaco)
Subiaco's defence has been remarkable in its stinginess so far this season and that was never as evident as holding reigning premiers South Fremantle to just four goals in Sunday's emphatic win. He was at the centre piece of that by holding reigning Bernie Naylor Medallist Mason Shaw to one goal and nine kicks while having 13 possessions and five marks himself.
Times named in 2021: 2

BACK POCKET – BRANDON ERCEG (Swan Districts)
It has only been injury that has stopped him cementing a spot in Swan Districts' back-line over the years, but he is healthy in 2021 and he is getting the chance to show what he's capable of defensively and also as a defender who can set up play going the other way. Finished Saturday's win against Perth with 18 disposals, nine marks and three tackles.
Times named in 2021: 3

HALF-BACK FLANK – LACHLAN MARTINIS (Claremont)
The Claremont playmaking defender became the first player named to a Team of the Week nine times this season on the back of another standout performance in the win against East Fremantle. The attacking half-back finished the afternoon with another 32 possessions, eight marks, six inside-50 entries and three tackles.
Times named in 2021: 9

CENTRE HALF-BACK – NOAH PEGORARO (West Perth)
He continues to be a rock for West Perth in that key defensive role and considering the 24-year-old had only played 15 games coming into 2021, he has really come from nowhere to become one of the better centre half-backs in the WAFL this season. Had another strong showing in the win against Peel and had 24 possessions, 12 marks and six tackles along the way.
Times named in 2021: 3

HALF-BACK FLANK – ZAC GUADAGNIN (West Perth)
His uncle might have made the Guadagnin name famous in a dual premiership career with West Perth, but he is carrying on that legacy admirably as one of the best small and mid-size defenders in the competition. Was superb once more in the win against Peel and put together 22 possessions and 12 marks himself.
Times named in 2021: 5

WING – BAILEY ROGERS (Claremont)
What a move it has proven to be by coach Ashley Prescott to move him into the midfield this season. With Lachlan Martinis filling that role as an attacking defender, he's now turned himself into a big ball winning and goalkicking midfielder. He produced another 33 disposals, five marks, five inside 50s and two goals in the win against East Fremantle.
Times named in 2021: 5

CENTRE – SHANE NELSON (West Perth)
He is a triple fairest and best winner, a premiership player and 182-game veteran with West Perth, but no matter what he remains one of the very best in-and-under ball winning midfielders in the competition. He showed that once again on Saturday in West Perth's win over Peel with 34 disposals, seven marks and five inside-50 entries.
Times named in 2021: 3

WING – ANGUS SCOTT (East Perth)
He is a remarkably consistent wingmen for East Perth and put in another power of work on Saturday afternoon to try and lift the Royals over the Eagles with their season virtually on the line. They might have fallen two points short in that comeback, but through no fault of his after finishing with 33 possessions and 10 marks.
Times named in 2021: 4

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – GREG CLARK (Subiaco)
How Subiaco could replace the remarkable presence and contribution of Kyal Horsley was one of the big questions coming into 2021, but he has been the biggest reasons the Lions have been able to do that with the way he has adapted to life as a permanent on-baller. Had another standout performance in Sunday's win over South Fremantle with 32 touches, five tackles and four marks.
Times named in 2021: 8

CENTRE HALF-FORWARD – JAKE PATMORE (Claremont)
He might not really be a key position player, but on a weekend where the conditions were challenging and not really made for tall forwards, he was a standout in the forward-line for Claremont in the win against East Fremantle. He ended up kicking a season-best four goals from 19 possessions.
Times named in 2021: 1

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – SAM FISHER (Swan Districts)
The reigning Sandover Medallist was an unstoppable force for Swan Districts in the win against Perth at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday. It was likely his best all-round game for Swans over the past two seasons with him delivering 37 possessions, eight tackles, seven marks, seven inside-50 entries and kicking two goals. 
Times named in 2021: 4

FORWARD POCKET – BRANDON MATERA (Subiaco)
The former Fremantle and Gold Coast AFL veteran of 144 games had a bit of a slow start returning full-time to the WAFL with Subiaco in 2021, but his form is now building nicely heading towards the finals for the Lions. He had a big impact in the win on Sunday against South Fremantle with 22 touches, 12 marks and five inside-50 entries even though he didn’t manage to kick a goal.
Times named in 2021: 2

FULL-FORWARD – TYLER KEITEL (West Perth)
What a day out the Bernie Naylor Medal leader had during Saturday's win for West Perth at home to Peel Thunder. He was just on fire finishing with seven goals from 20 possessions and eight marks to extend his lead as the league's leading goalkicker. It wasn't quite a career-best outing as he's kicked eight goals earlier this year against East Perth but this was the second time he's kicked seven during a 117-game career with the Falcons that's brough him 201 goals so far.
Times named in 2021: 6

FORWARD POCKET – KRISTIAN CARY (Perth)
It's not an easy forward-line to play in at Perth this season and while he's certainly not the size of a usual key target, but he has been forced to play that role just because of the personnel issues at the Demons in 2021. He stood up well against Swan Districts kicking four goals from 10 kicks, three marks and three tackles.
Times named in 2021: 3

RUCK ROVER – LEIGH KITCHIN (Subiaco)
The Subiaco captain has been a remarkable recruit for Subiaco ever since arriving in 2015, but at no point as he ever shown signs of dropping off his consistency as a prolific midfielder and that's continuing in 2021. He is putting together a brilliant season and had another 33 disposals, 11 inside 50s, seven tackles, five marks and a goal.
Times named in 2021: 8

ROVER – FRANK ANDERSON (Swan Districts)
He might be flying under the radar a little compared to the other superstar on-ballers in the competition or even at his own club, but now in his second season with Swan Districts there's little doubt he is among the best midfielders in the WAFL. He produced another 31 disposals, nine marks, eight tackles and three inside-50 entries in the win against Perth.
Times named in 2021: 5

INTERCHANGE – KYLE BASKERVILLE (East Fremantle)
Has split his time between being a creative, attacking defender and an on-baller this season, and continues to produce some impressive form wherever he's asked to play. It was more of a midfield role on Saturday against Claremont and he stood up well against the Tigers finishing with 34 touches, 10 tackles and eight marks.
Times named in 2021: 2

INTERCHANGE – BEN HANCOCK (Peel Thunder)
The Peel Thunder veteran of 118 games continues to enjoy his role as a big-bodied midfielder in 2021 after spending most of his career up to this season as a reliable defender. He battled hard once more against the tide in the loss to West Perth on Saturday to finish with 30 touches, eight marks, three tackles and two entries inside the forward 50.
Times named in 2021: 5

INTERCHANGE – COREY BYRNE (Perth)
What a challenging season it continues to be for Perth virtually a whole team sitting on the sidelines injured or having retired now from the start of 2021. They suffered another tough loss to Swan Districts on Saturday but he battled tirelessly in the midfield delivering another 26 possessions, seven marks, four tackles and two goals.
Times named in 2021: 2

INTERCHANGE – ANGUS DEWAR (Subiaco)
The Subiaco defence is without question quite the impenetrable unit in 2021 and he continues to play a key part of that in whatever role he's asked to play as part of it, and whatever type of forward he's matched up on. Was terrific again in Sunday's win and had 22 touches and seven marks to go with it.
Times named in 2021: 4

UNLUCKY BUNCH
There were plenty of players who delivered tremendous performances across Round 16 but couldn’t quite fit into the Team of the Week, including:

Claremont's Callan England, Jye Bolton, Ryan Lim and Ben Edwards.

East Fremantle's Nick Kommer, Cam Eardley, Luke English, Michael Tassone and Jarrad Jansen.

West Perth's Aaron Black, Tyson Moulton, Matthew Lloyd, Tristan Hobley, Mitch Peirce and Conal Lynch.

Peel Thunder's Tyrone Thorne, Taylin Duman, Blake Acres, Michael Randall, Jackson Merrett, Tobe Watson and James Sturrock.

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

West Coast Eagles' Nathan Vardy, Jackson Nelson, Hamish Brayshaw, Alex Witherden, Luke Foley, Ben Johnson and Brayden Ainsworth.

Swan Districts' Lachlan Riley, Josh Cipro and Anthony Stephens.

Perth's Clayton Giblett, Austin Davis, Michael Sinclair and Andrew Fisher.

Subiaco's Harry Marsh, Chad Harris, Bailey Matera, Ben Sokol and Drew Rohde.

South Fremantle's Haiden Schloithe, Chad Pearson, Blake Schlensog and Tom Blechynden.