WAFL Round 2 RecapMonday, April 8, 2024 - 11:39 AM - by Chris Pike

REIGNING premiers East Fremantle made quite the Round 2 WAFL statement against Claremont with West Perth, South Fremantle, East Perth and Subiaco all impressing in victories as well.

The second round of the WAFL season on the weekend saw statements being made with the Sharks hammering the Tigers while the Royals were supremely impressive once more, the Falcons burst Perth's bubble and Subiaco also beat Peel Thunder in their preliminary final rematch.

Round 2 got underway on Saturday at Lathlain's Mineral Resources Park with South Fremantle opening its account for 2024 beating the West Coast Eagles 22.11 (143) to 8.7 (55).

The Strom brothers had a day out in attack for the Bulldogs combining to kick nine goals with Noah producing a career-best performance with five having only kicked three goals in total in his previous 107 games as one of the league's standout full-backs.

Haiden Schloithe, Luke Polson, Chase Bourne and Matthew Parker all kicked two goals each as well with Tom Blechynden racking up 30 possessions, Schloithe 27, Chad Pearson 27, Jake Florenca 26, Isiah Winder 26, Parker 23 and Toby McQuilkin 21.

Tyrell Dewar and Shannon Lucassen kicked two goals each for the Eagles with Andrew Gaff playing on the ball for 25 disposals. Zane Trew also had 25 touches, Harley Sparks 25, Clay Hall 22 and Alex Witherden 20.

Next up on Saturday and the reigning premiers East Fremantle sent an emphatic message bouncing back from a first up loss to Peel to beat Claremont 21.9 (135) to 6.9 (45) at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Jono Marsh equalled his career-best haul kicking seven goals for the Sharks with Jed Hagan adding four, and two each to Cody Leggett, Reuben McGuire and Josh Schoenfeld.

Luke English was back for the Sharks after missing Round 1 and had 31 possessions while Milan Murdock ended up with not only 30 touches but also 18 tackles.

Kyle Baskerville gathered 29 disposals, Fraser Turner 26, Jackson McDonald 26, Lennon Marlin 24, Jack Cleaver 23 and Tom Joyce 22.

Alex Manuel kicked two goals for the Tigers with Lachlan Martinis gathering 30 disposals, Anthony Davis 21, Jye Bolton 20, Sam Alvarez 20 and Callan England 20 with Oliver Eastland finishing with 19 touches and 33 hit outs in the ruck.

Two Round 1 winners then did battle at Leederville's Sullivan Logistics Stadium with East Perth overpowering Swan Districts in the finish to win 18.11 (119) to 11.16 (82).

Tom Medhat was another forward in Round 2 to have a career-best performance kicking six goals for the first time in his 44-game career across both West Perth and now East Perth.

Liam Tedesco also kicked four goals for East Perth and Mitch Crowden two with Hamish Brayshaw returning after missing Round 1 to pick up 32 possessions in his first game since winning last year's Sandover Medal.

Stan Wright also had 21 touches, Crowden 20, Tom North 16 and Angus Scott 16.

Jiah Reidy kicked three goals for Swan Districts with Tom Edwards, Leigh Kohlmann and Ayden Cartwright adding two each while Jesse Turner racked up 43 possessions, Jye Chalcraft 37, Nik Rokahr 31, Tony Notte 23 and Jackson McDonald 20.

Two more teams that had wins in the opening round met at Joondalup's Pentanet Stadium and West Perth continued its domination against Perth with the 17.14 (116) to 9.14 (68) victory.

Jasper Scaife and Sasha Kernutt kicked four goals each for West Perth with Tyler Keitel adding three, Aaron Black two and Kane Bevan two.

Shane Nelson is showing no signs of slowing down 228 games into his career with another 35 possessions for the Falcons with Connor West also collecting 30 touches, Rohan Scurria 25, Luke Meadows 19 and Zac Guadagnin 19.

Aaron Clarke kicked three goals for Perth and Sam Simpson two with Charlie Constable amassing 30 possessions, Jack Cooley 30, Jacob Coniglio 25, Charlie Thompson 22 and Austin Davis 21.

The final game of the round took place on Sunday afternoon also at Sullivan Logistics Stadium in a rematch of last year's preliminary final with Subiaco getting the better of Peel Thunder winning 14.8 (92) to 9.12 (66).

Jack Mayo and Ben Sokol kicked three goals each for the Lions with debutant Richard Barlett exciting with two goals.

Captain Greg Clark had another 32 touches for Subiaco with Marlin Corbett racking up 23, Leigh Kitchin 23, Liam Hickmott 22, Ben Golding 22 and Luke Foley 20.

Corey Tregenza and Jack Sears kicked two goals each for Peel with Will Brodie finishing with 25 possessions, Brady Grey 20 and Jacob Blight 20.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 2

WEST COAST EAGLES 8.7 (55) lost to SOUTH FREMANTLE 22.11 (143)

CLAREMONT 6.9 (45) lost to EAST FREMANTLE 21.9 (135)

EAST PERTH 18.11 (119) defeated SWAN DISTRICTS 11.16 (82)

WEST PERTH 17.14 (116) defeated PERTH 9.14 (68)

SUBIACO 14.8 (92) defeated PEEL THUNDER 9.12 (66)