WAFL Team of the Week – Round 16Tuesday, August 9, 2022 - 12:05 PM - by Chris Pike

THERE were just the two matches in Round 16 of the 2022 WAFL season but still no shortage of standout performances coming from players at West Perth, East Fremantle, Subiaco and the West Coast Eagles.

The Round 16 action got underway on neutral turf at New Choice Homes Park with Subiaco proving too strong for the West Coast Eagles to win 14.6 (90) to 9.13 (67).

Top spot in the WAFL then went on the line at Joondalup's Pentanet Stadium and outside of a strong second quarter from East Fremantle, West Perth proved too strong to win 11.10 (76) to 5.10 (40) and move further clear in top spot.

While it might be the case that some players who get in this round's Team of the Week might not have quite made it had there been a full set of fixtures, it would have been unfair on the players from the four teams to not have the chance to press their claims when spots ultimately in the Team of the Year are largely determined by the number of times they feature throughout the season.

Defenders across the four teams to put their hands up for selection were Drew Rohde, Alex Witherden, Ben Johnson, Noah Pegoraro, Mark Hamilton, Cam Eardley, Matthew Jupp and Finn Gorringe.

Some of the forwards to impress across the two games included Ben Sokol, Brandon Matera, Angus Dewar, Josh Burke, Hugh Dixon, Rudy Riddoch, Mitch Dobson and Anton Hamp.

Plenty of on-ballers stood out as well including those doing the in and under work like Leigh Kitchin, Mitch Peirce, Aidan Lynch, Kyle Baskerville and Luke English, and outside midfielders Stefan Giro, Jordan Snadden, Chad Harris, Isiah Winder and Ryan Lester-Smith.

Other midfielders to also play well in Saturday were Liam Hickmott, Rylie Morgan, Max Walters, Patrick Naish, Greg Clark, Luke Meadows, Tristan Hobley and Milan Murdock.

Troy Yukich and Jeremy Goddard also had a fascinating ruck battle for West Perth and East Fremantle respectively.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND – STEFAN GIRO (SUBIACO)

He deserved to be a little surprised to find himself out of the AFL system in 2022, but he has taken that on the chin to likely be the clear leader in Subiaco's fairest and best award in what's been a tough season for the Lions.

Not only did Giro have reason to feel hard done by not being able to find a spot somewhere in the AFL in 2022, but he had good reason to think he would be part of some team success with Subiaco given the Lions were the reigning premiers, and having won three of the last four premierships, and five of the previous eight.

However, it has been a season where nothing has gone right for Subiaco which has them out of the finals hunt but coming into Saturday's clash with the West Coast Eagles at New Choice Homes Park, it was a chance to snap a four-game losing streak.

The Lions ended up achieving that with the 23-point victory and it was Giro who walked off with best on ground honours.

Giro played 14 matches at Fremantle across the past four seasons but found himself delisted at the end of 2021 and then when he decided to remain in the WAFL, he signed on with the reigning premiers Subiaco.

The 23-year-old has put together a tremendous season despite the wins he might have expected not eventuating. He has been terrific largely on the wing racking up plenty of the ball and giving the Lions good drive, and that was right on show at East Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

He finished the afternoon with 30 possessions, seven tackles, five marks and five entries inside the forward 50. He also kicked two tremendous goals and both coming in quick succession in the second quarter from opposite pockets at Shark Park showing his kicking talents.

Now having played 38 WAFL matches and 15 in the AFL, the 23-year-old is hitting the prime of his career and is in a terrific form as he continues to show plenty to suggest AFL teams should be looking at him ahead of 2023 – but if not, he's someone Subiaco can well and truly build a midfield around.

Players of the Round
Round 1 – Jake Florenca (South Fremantle)
Round 2 – Ryan Lim (Claremont)
Round 3 – Luke Meadows (West Perth)
Round 4 – Jesse Turner (Swan Districts)
Round 5 – Leigh Kitchin (Subiaco)
Round 6 – Blair Bell (Peel Thunder)
Round 7 – Oliver Eastland (Claremont)
Round 8 – Matthew Jupp (East Fremantle)
Round 9 – Toby McQuilkin (South Fremantle)
Round 10 – Aaron Black (West Perth) 
Round 12 – Blaine Boekhorst (East Fremantle)
Round 13 – Noah Strom (South Fremantle)
Round 14 – Brandon Erceg (Swan Districts)
Round 15 – Darcy Tucker (Peel Thunder)
Round 16 – Stefan Giro (Subiaco)

WAFL TEAM OF THE WEEK – ROUND 16
BACK: Finn Gorringe (EF), Matthew Jupp (EF), Ben Johnson (WP)
HALF-BACK: Drew Rohde (S), Noah Pegoraro (WP), Alex Witherden (WC)
CENTRE: Stefan Giro (S), Mitch Peirce (WP), Isiah Winder (WC)
HALF-FORWARD: Mitch Dobson (WP), Hugh Dixon (WC), Max Walters (S)
FORWARD: Angus Dewar (S), Ben Sokol (S), Rudy Riddoch (WP)
RUCK: Troy Yukich (WP), Kyle Baskerville (EF), Luke Meadows (WP)
INTERCHANGE: Tristan Hobley (WP), Luke English (EF), Liam Hickmott (S), Jeremy Goddard (EF)

BACK POCKET – FINN GORRINGE (East Fremantle)
There were some big jobs to go around for young East Fremantle defenders on Saturday and Bill Monaghan had no trouble entrusting him on the league's premier small forward, Keegan Knott. He did an impressive job holding the dangerous goal sneak to 10 kicks and one goal while he had 15 possessions and four tackles himself to earn a spot in the Team of the Week for the first time in the 22nd game of his WAFL career.

FULL-BACK – MATTHEW JUPP (East Fremantle)
The Sharks captain renewed his rivalry on West Perth spearhead Tyler Keitel in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash, and while there was one moment in the first quarter he'd like to have back, he had the better of the match up overall for the four quarters even if the Falcons won the game. He did miss a mark deep in defence early that cost East Fremantle a goal, but he was rock solid the rest of the afternoon to earn a spot in the Team of the Week for a sixth time this year on the back of 17 touches, seven marks and three tackles.

BACK POCKET – BEN JOHNSON (West Perth)
Has returned to West Perth this season following his time in the AFL system at the West Coast Eagles and has slotted right into becoming an important part of a strong defensive unit. While Zac Guadagnin remains out, he has picked up some of that slack to be doing some good defensive jobs while also brining good run and drive out of defence for the Falcons. He delivered 17 touches and two tackles in the win over East Fremantle.

HALF-BACK FLANK – DREW ROHDE (Subiaco)
The triple premiership winner has stepped up strongly for most of the 2022 season to be a leader in the Subiaco back-line in the absence of a host of his flag winning and experienced teammates, and he did so again against West Coast on Saturday. Led from the front off the half-back line in the 121st game of his career to finish with 27 possessions, five tackles and four marks.

CENTRE HALF-BACK – NOAH PEGORARO (West Perth)
One of the premier key defenders in the competition delivered another standout performance in Saturday's top-of-the-table win against East Fremantle for West Perth. He earned selection in the Team of the Week for a third time this season as his 45-game career continues to go from strength to strength. Ended the game with 14 possessions and six marks with his intercept marking once again a particular highlight.

HALF-BACK FLANK – ALEX WITHERDEN (West Coast)
He might be disappointed to be playing in the WAFL Eagles team and not be looking to make a case for his future in the AFL team, but the best way to deal with that is to come back and perform well for the West Coast WAFL side and that is exactly what he's doing. Put together another standout performance off half-back against Subiaco on Saturday to finish with 24 possessions and nine marks.

CENTRE – MITCH PEIRCE (West Perth)
It might be hard to grab the headlines in the West Perth midfield when you are alongside Aaron Black, Shane Nelson and Luke Meadows, but he keeps quietly going about his business and now 84 games into his career, he's one of the more reliable and consistent midfielders in the competition. Could well be in the best three-week patch of form of his career as well now on the back of 25 possessions and 10 tackles in the win against East Fremantle.

WING – ISIAH WINDER (West Coast)
Put together his best of his nine games with the Eagles WAFL team so far in 2022 to give himself a good chance of adding to the six AFL games he has played with West Coast this year and the seven overall in his career. He showed clean hands and tremendous kicking skills while giving good run against Subiaco on the wide expanses of East Fremantle Oval. Finished the day with 33 possessions and a standout long-range goal from outside 50.

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – MITCH DOBSON (West Perth)
While Tom Medhat has certainly fitted nicely at East Perth as well, the trade has worked out so well for West Perth that giving them another X-factor in the forward-line could very well be the thing that ultimately pushes them over the top in the premiership race. He is a ferocious competitor, loves to kick a goal and is a physical presence. When he's in the same forward-line as Rudy Riddoch and you also have Tyler Keitel and Keegan Knott, it's tough to stop. He continued his standout first season with the Falcons by kicking two goals from 11 kicks, six marks and four inside-50 entries.

CENTRE HALF-FORWARD – HUGH DIXON (West Coast)
He was all set to play with East Fremantle this season before being a late pick up by the West Coast Eagles so he was back to familiar territory for the Eagles at East Fremantle Oval on Saturday against Subiaco. He built some good form too both up forward and in the ruck to put his hand up for another AFL appearance before 2022 is over by finishing with two goals along with 19 possessions, nine tackles, five inside 50s, four tackles and 20 hit outs.

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – MAX WALTERS (Subiaco)
It's no secret that Subiaco has always been a much better team when he's been in it, whether they are having a tough season like in 2022 or through their dominant premiership era. He is a triple premiership winner in his 86-game career that has been somewhat stop start through injury, including this year where he's only played six games now. But where in the middle or playing up forward, he remains a quality player and delivered 20 possessions, four marks, four tackles, six inside-50 entries and a goal in win over West Coast.

FORWARD POCKET – ANGUS DEWAR (Subiaco)
The usual defender was thrown forward through necessity by Subiaco coach Beau Wardman on Saturday in the absence of Ryan Borchet with Lachlan Delahunty, Jack Mayo, Michael Braut and Lachlan Vanirsen all missing too. While he's having a strong season defensively, he used his pressure skills to good effect in attack and provided good presence and energy. He pressured West Coast defender Harry Creasey into a fumble which he scored a goal from in the first quarter on his way to 14 touches, six marks and five inside 50s for the afternoon.

FULL-FORWARD – BEN SOKOL (Subiaco)
He stretched his lead in the race for the Bernie Naylor Medal as he attempts to be the league's leading goalkicker for a second time. He kicked three goals from 13 kicks and nine marks in Saturday's win for Subiaco against West Coast to see him now have 32 goals for the season to be four ahead of East Fremantle's Jonathon Marsh. A second Bernie Naylor Medal would continue to see his accolades rack up since joining Subiaco from South Fremantle in a career that's now seen him play 124 games, kick 261 goals, play in three premierships and win Simpson and Bernie Naylor Medals.

FORWARD POCKET – RUDY RIDDOCH (West Perth)
He is one of the great enigmas of the competition and when he's on song, he is a mighty tough proposition for an opposition defence to try and keep in check. That's especially the case for a debutant and East Fremantle first-gamer Jack Cleaver did a lot right on Saturday, but the West Perth powerhouse proved a match-winner with his four goals from 11 kicks, four marks and three tackles. His two goals in the last game, which came after he tackled Cleaver strongly to earn a free-kick and then outmanoeuvred him for a mark and goal were the biggest moments in the top-of-the-table contest.

RUCK – TROY YUKICH (West Perth)
The ruck battle he had with East Fremantle's Jeremy Goddard on Saturday was fascinating and it was tough to split them by the end of the afternoon. However, he gets the nod for the ruck position this week because he helped West Perth win the game as he continued to have a career renaissance after what's been a mighty tough road to 39 games since making his debut in 2016. He finished the game with 11 disposals, 29 hit outs and three tackles.

RUCK ROVER – KYLE BASKERVILLE (East Fremantle)
After his breakout 2021 season in the midfield that saw him win the Lynn Medal as East Fremantle's fairest and best, he started 2022 on fire over the first month before injury struck in Round 5 and he didn’t play again until Round 12. However, in his third game back on Saturday against West Perth he was right back to his prominent best on the ball even though East Fremantle lost the game. He finished with 29 disposals, seven inside 50s, five tackles and four marks to earn a spot in the Team of the Week for a fifth time this season.

ROVER – LUKE MEADOWS (West Perth)
Another superb performance from the powerful midfielder as he continues to be a difference-maker for the league-leading Falcons and he could be having the most consistent all-round season over his career that has now spanned 113 games for West Perth. Earned a spot in the Team of the Week for a fifth time this season with 29 disposals, six tackles, three marks, and three inside-50 entries.

INTERCHANGE – TRISTAN HOBLEY (West Perth)
While the big names might continue to be leading the West Perth charge in 2022 with them on track for a first minor premierships since 1993, it's the next group of players emerging that are just as important and he's leading that pack. He's now 37 games into his career and is having a strong season in the midfield and had a standout performance on Saturday. He did well limiting the influence of East Fremantle's Josh Schoenfeld while delivering 22 possessions, five inside 50s, four marks and four tackles himself.

INTERCHANGE – LUKE ENGLISH (East Fremantle)
He has become an important and consistent member of the East Fremantle midfield and put together another strong performance in Saturday's loss to West Perth in the top-of-the-table clash. He has had a tremendous consistent season for the Sharks playing 14 of the 15 matches and he earned his spot in the Team of the Week on the back of his performance made up of 22 disposals, 10 marks, five tackles and a goal.

INTERCHANGE – LIAM HICKMOTT (Subiaco)
After being an important player in last year's premiership team, he has taken his game up another level with Subiaco in 2022 and is one player taken on the challenge by the players departed at the Lions and currently unavailable. He has consolidated himself as one of the best emerging midfielders in the competition and continued that form on Saturday to earn a spot in the Team of the Week for a third time on the back of 26 possessions and 11 tackles.

INTERCHANGE – JEREMY GODDARD (East Fremantle)
It was a ruck battle between two genuine ruckmen who might not have a lot of other tricks, but their teams know they can rely on them to give their all, give them a good look at it in the ruck contests and that they will do their all to be a physical presence. He only is named to bench because Troy Yukich's West Perth won the game but he made a strong return from suspension to end up with 10 touches, 34 hit outs and a goal after a strong mark on the three quarter-time siren.
 

UNLUCKY BUNCH

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

Subiaco's Brandon Matera, Jordan Snadden, Rylie Morgan, Chad Harris and Leigh Kitchin.

West Coast's Josh Burke, Patrick Naish and Greg Clark.

West Perth's Anton Hamp, Aidan Lynch and Mark Hamilton.

East Fremantle's Cam Eardley, Milan Murdock and Ryan Lester-Smith.