WAFL Team of Round 21Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 5:31 PM - by Chris Pike

WHAT a remarkable penultimate round it was of the 2021 Optus WAFL Premiership Season and it might very well have been the toughest Team of the Week to select with so many players delivering two sides could have been chosen.

The second last round of the WAFL season saw East Fremantle end its season in style by kicking remarkably accurate while East Perth pushed Subiaco all the way, South Fremantle escaped against Swan Districts and Peel Thunder delivered a remarkable turnaround against the Demons.

It was a remarkable game at Mandurah's David Grays Arena with Peel Thunder coming back from a 37-point deficit to end up beating Perth 16.10 (106) to 10.3 (63).

Brayden Lawler and Jack Sears kicked three goals each for Peel while Stefan Giro had 29 possessions, Mitch Crowden 29, Jackson Merrett 25, Tyrone Thorne 23 and Ben Hancock 23. Corey Byrne had 26 touches and two goals for the Demons.

Subiaco had to work hard for it but did enough to beat East Perth 12.13 (85) to 11.5 (71) in the battle of the Leederville Oval co-tenants.

Max Walters, Ben Sokol and Ben Golding kicked two goals each for the Lions with Lachlan Delahunty finishing with 28 possessions and 21 hit outs. Aidan Lynch had 29 touches and two goals for East Perth, Christian Ameduri 28 disposals and two goals, and Angus Scot 34 possessions.

It was another incredible game on Saturday at New Choice Homes Park with East Fremantle winning on the back of their accuracy and making West Perth pay for their inaccuracy in the eventual 20.3 (123) to 9.23 (77) victory.

Hugh Dixon kicked five goals for East Fremantle and Tom Monaghan three while Kyle Baskerville racked up 42 possessions and Michael Tassone 32. Shane Nelson gathered 44 disposals and Aaron Black 32 to go with two goals.

Then at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, it took Mason Shaw kicking the last goal of the game for South Fremantle to beat Swan Districts for a ninth straight time, 10.16 (76) to 11.5 (71).

Nick Suban and Mason Shaw kicked two goals each for South Fremantle with Jake Florenca amassing 34 possessions and Haiden Schloithe 33. Brayden Noble and Greg Ottaviano kicked three goals apiece for Swan Districts.

Claremont won big against the West Coast Eagles, delivering a 19.15 (129) to 4.9 (33) thumping to keep themselves in the hunt of a top two finish at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Isaac Barton kicked five goals, Alex Manuel four, Jack Buller three and Bailey Rogers three to go with 36 possessions. Jye Bolton also had 41 disposals with Brayden Ainsworth picking up 33 possessions for West Coast.

With one round of the season remaining, Subiaco (13-4) remains a game clear on top of the ladder just ahead of South Fremantle (12-5) and Claremont (12-5). The Bulldogs only lead the Tigers by 0.39 per cent.

West Perth (11-6) is fourth and Swan Districts (10-7) fifth while out of the finals race are East Fremantle (8-10), Peel Thunder (6-11), East Perth (6-12), Perth (4-13) and West Coast Eagles (4-13).

PLAYER OF THE ROUND – BAILEY ROGERS (Claremont)
Bailey Rogers always saw himself as a potential WAFL midfielder, but the double problem was Claremont always had such a strong on-ball brigade and he was playing so well in the back-line up until this 2021 season.

Rogers got his first chance in the Claremont team late in 2015 and was a regular member of the defensive unit in 2016 before injury ruined his 2017 season six games into it.

But he returned in 2018 and now he had been given the license to attack from the back-line and the be Claremont's main playmaker out of the defensive 50 and he became perhaps the best player in the WAFL at doing that over the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons.

He represented the WAFL State Team on the back of that form and has been a key player in Claremont building from winning a final in 2018, reaching the preliminary final in 2019 and then making the Grand Final in 2020.

However, there was the opportunity for him to move into the midfield in 2021 and he wanted to grasp that opportunity, and he has now grabbed that chance with both hands to become one of the best pure ball winners across the competition.

Then on Saturday against West Coast in a 96-point victory, he went up another gear finishing the afternoon with a remarkable 36 possessions, 16 marks, nine inside-50 entries, four tackles and three goals.

The 24-year-old who has now played 95 games with Claremont continues to enjoy embracing his role in the midfield.

"I've had 16 marks in a game before but I've never kicked three goals, that's my highest in a league game so it was good to get on the scoreboard on the weekend," Rogers said on 91.3 SportFM.

"It started as a lockdown role as a defender when I was 18 and then gradually I became more of an attacking defender.

"I waited my time and did my apprenticeship there in the back-line because we had a lot of pretty good midfielders running around at Claremont over the years. 

"I just had to wait my time and this year I've got my chance, and I've made the most of the opportunity I hope."

Initially Rogers' plan for 2021 was to bulk up to allow him to play permanently in the midfield and to become a better contested ball player. But he soon realised that impacted his endurance and in working with the club's conditioning staff, they have fixed that up as the season's gone on.

"It's something that I worked on daily in the off-season and the pre-season, and I bulked up and might have got a bit too big," Rogers said. 

"In the first half of the season I was struggling to run out games and I sat down with Ash, and got some honest feedback about my weight etc. 

"Thankfully with the people we have at the Claremont Football Club, we got on top of that and I feel a million dollars now having lost a bit of weight. I think my fitness is increasing game on game because of that."

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)
Round 17 – Brandon Matera (Subiaco)
Round 18 – Aidan Lynch (East Perth)
Round 19 – Shane Nelson (West Perth)
Round 20 – Michael Randall (Peel Thunder)
Round 21 – Bailey Rogers (Claremont)

BACK POCKET – JORDAN LOCKYER (Subiaco)
The triple premiership winning key defender returned for the Lions on Saturday after missing the loss to East Fremantle two weeks ago. He showed his importance to the Subiaco defensive set up not only helping to hold Eddie Simpson to just the one goal but having 18 disposals and eight marks himself.
Times named in 2021: 3

FULL-BACK – MATTHEW JUPP (East Fremantle)
The East Fremantle captain completed what was likely the best season of his 142-game career even if the Sharks did fall short of reaching finals for a seventh straight season. They did finish on a high, though, with three straight wins and he did well holding Bernie Naylor Medallist Tyler Keitel to two goals in Saturday's win with nine disposals, four marks and three tackles himself.
Times named in 2021: 7

BACK POCKET – CHRIS JONES (Swan Districts)
The Swan Districts back-line including himself, Alex Howard, Tony Notte and Brandon Erceg is in tremendous form, and that even continued against the dangerous Bulldogs on Saturday. They were able to limit South Fremantle to just the 10 goals for the game and he was instrumental in that in a fascinating duel with Mason Shaw. He held him well most of the day and had 21 disposals and 10 marks himself.
Times named in 2021: 2

HALF-BACK FLANK – KYE WILLCOCKS (East Perth)
The 23-year-old is just 36 games into his WAFL career but by the end of this 2021 season for East Perth, he has established himself as one of the best and most consistent creative defenders in the competition. Is yet another player the Royals will be looking to build around moving forward after finishing his season with another 25 possessions, seven marks and five tackles against Subiaco.
Times named in 2021: 4

CENTRE HALF-BACK – NOAH STROM (South Fremantle)
Continues to be one of the standout key defenders in the competition. He shutdown Swan Districts' Nathan Ireland before he went off with a shoulder injury and did well against whatever tall target Swans were able to push forward throughout the second. Was a strong defensive performance to go with eight possessions, four marks and three tackles.
Times named in 2021: 4

HALF-BACK FLANK – BRANDON ERCEG (Swan Districts)
Remains a key part of the impressive Swan Districts defensive unit as he continues to shine in the best season of his career now that he's body is allowing him to stay out on the park on a regular basis. Was given the job on South Fremantle big man Jimmy Miller and limited his influence inside the forward 50 holding him scoreless to go with 20 disposals and seven marks himself.
Times named in 2021: 5

WING – ANGUS SCOTT (East Perth)
He has now completed his third season at East Perth since moving west from VFL club Casey and the Royals will be desperate the 26-year-old wingman sticks around for 2022 and beyond especially now with the retirement of fellow wingman Rohan Kerr. Despite the narrow loss to Subiaco on Saturday, he was superb with 34 touches, five inside 50s, three marks and three tackles.
Times named in 2021: 7

CENTRE – JYE BOLTON (Claremont)
The Claremont superstar was right back to his dominant best in the midfield in the big win against the West Coast Eagles. The dual Sandover Medallist and four-time Simpson Medallist amassed 41 possessions, nine marks, seven inside-50 entries, three tackles and a goal in the 96-point triumph for the Tigers.
Times named in 2021: 9

WING – BLAINE BOEKHORST (East Fremantle)
There were times in the first half on Saturday against West Perth where he simply ran where he wanted and dis as he pleased out on the wide expanses of the soon to be redeveloped East Fremantle Oval. He helped the Sharks open up a match-winning lead with his performance and finished the afternoon with 21 possessions, seven marks, six tackles, six inside-50 entries and two goals.
Times named in 2021: 5

CENTRE HALF-FORWARD – HUGH DIXON (East Fremantle)
He is the answer as a tall forward target who can mark overhead, mark on the lead and go back and kick goals that the Sharks have been craving for so long now, most of this century in reality. What his future holds in 2022 and beyond remains to be seen, but there's no doubt how good East Fremantle looked when he was up and firing this season. That included Saturday against West Perth where he kicked five goals from 14 touches and nine marks.
Times named in 2021: 3

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – AIDAN LYNCH (East Perth)
He continues to thrive now that he's allowed to be a permanent on-baller at East Perth. He clearly made the right choice to leave West Perth when he did for the greater opportunity and he's making the most of it proving himself to be one most prolific consistent ball winners in the competition. Showed he can be damaging too with two goals on Saturday to go with 29 disposals, nine marks, four tackles and four inside-50 entries.
Times named in 2021: 4

FORWARD POCKET – COREY BYRNE (Perth)
He has had to take on the responsibility as the No. 1 midfielder at Perth in 2021 with the likes of Corey Yeo, Brady Grey, Chris Masten, Brant College and others not there either for all or most of the season. He has taken on that challenge well and would be deserving of winning the club's fairest and best as a result. Delivered another 26 possessions, six tackles and two goals against Peel on Saturday in Mandurah.
Times named in 2021: 3

FULL-FORWARD – ISAAC BARTON (Claremont)
Obviously he's not your usual full-forward but with so many candidates that had to be squeezed into this Team of the Week, we had to get a bit creative with some of the positions for the some of the players. Nonetheless, he just had to be part of the forward-line somewhere after the best game of his career on Saturday for Claremont against West Coast as he kicked five goals to go with 20 disposals and nine marks.
Times named in 2021: 2

FORWARD POCKET – AARON BLACK (West Perth)
The West Perth captain was one of the few players on his team who could kick straight in front of goal on Saturday against East Fremantle. He kicked two goals but still played mostly on the ball where he has put together another brilliant season for the Falcons and finished up with 32 possessions and eight marks.
Times named in 2021: 8

RUCK – LACHLAN DELAHUNTY (Subiaco)
The Sandover Medallist and four-time premiership winning big man had a good test in the ruck up against East Perth's Scott Jones on Saturday, he got the better of the contest especially thanks to his athletic work around the group. Finished the afternoon with 28 disposals, 21 hit outs, seven marks and five tackles.
Times named in 2021: 6

RUCK ROVER – KYLE BASKERVILLE (East Fremantle)
He has now finished the 2021 as one of the more exciting big ball-winning midfielders in the WAFL looking forward. Without question the 23-year-old who has now played 38 games is someone the Sharks can build around moving forward. He produced the best game of his career in the win over West Perth with 42 touches, nine marks and five inside 50s.
Times named in 2021: 4

ROVER – JAKE FLORENCA (South Fremantle)
What a remarkable return he has made to almost be like a new, late season recruit ahead of the finals for South Fremantle. He was runner-up in the fairest and best count at the Bulldogs in their premiership year in 2020, but he missed the big day after rupturing his Achilles in the preliminary final. But has worked hard to fight back and was tremendous again in Saturday's win over Swan Districts with 34 touches, four inside 50s, three marks and three tackles.
Times named in 2021: 2

INTERCHANGE – CHAD HARRIS (Subiaco)
He has proven to be quite the valuable Subiaco recruit this season and has put together a tremendously consistent 2021 campaign, spending most of it on the wing. Put together another strong showing in Saturday's hard fought win against East Perth with 25 possessions, six marks, four inside-50 entries and a goal.
Times named in 2021: 2

INTERCHANGE – SHANE NELSON (West Perth)
The four-time fairest and best winner and 185-game veteran is finishing this 2021 in as good a form as at any point in his career and that was again on show for West Perth despite the loss to East Fremantle. He racked up 44 disposals to go with eight inside-50 entries, three marks, two tackles and a goal.
Times named in 2021: 7

INTERCHANGE – STEFAN GIRO (Peel Thunder)
He has responded tremendously to the rough news of being delisted by Fremantle once the AFL season came to an end. He was likely given the choice whether he saw the season out with Peel or not given he's no longer tied to the Dockers and his form has been so good it shows how much he wants, and deserves, another AFL opportunity. Delivered 29 possessions, eight inside 50s, seven marks, five tackles and a goal in win against Perth.
Times named in 2021: 1

INTERCHANGE – MICHAEL TASSONE (East Fremantle)
He has now played 35 games in three years at East Fremantle after beginning his WAFL career with 17 matches with Peel Thunder in 2017 and 2018. Has spent most of his time at the Sharks either coming off half-back or playing on the wing, and has actually been a strongly consistent performer despite largely going under the radar. Produced another game made up of 32 possessions and nine marks against West Perth on Saturday.
Times named in 2021: 1

UNLUCKY BUNCH
There were plenty of players who delivered tremendous performances across Round 21 but couldn’t quite fit into the Team of the Week, including:

Peel Thunder's Brayden Lawler, Jack Sears, Blair Bell, Mitch Crowden, Jackson Merrett, Tyrone Thorne, Ben Hancock and Lloyd Meek.

Perth's Fraser McInnes, Brady Grey, Austin Davis, Michael Sinclair and Jordon Reid.

East Perth's Christian Ameduri, Rohan Kerr, Mitch Dobson, Angus Schumacher and Scott Jones.

Subiaco's Hayden Kennedy, Leigh Kitchin, Aaron Heal, Liam Hickmott and Max Walters.

East Fremantle's Tom Monaghan, Jonathon Marsh, Dillon O'Reilly, Luke English, Cam Eardley and Jamie Meade.

West Perth's Tristan Hobley, Steve Potente and Nathan Murray.

South Fremantle's Nick Suban, Haiden Schloithe, Tom Blechynden, Jacob Dragovich, Zac Dent and Chad Pearson.

Swan Districts' Brayden Noble, Greg Ottaviano, Sam Fisher, Jesse Turner, Aiden Clarke, Alex Howard and Tony Notte.

Claremont's Ryan Lim, Jack Lewsey, Declan Mountford, Callan England, Jared Hardisty and Jack Buller.

West Coast Eagles' Brayden Ainsworth, Hamish Brayshaw, Ben Johnson and Xavier O'Neill.