WAFL Round 16 RecapMonday, July 22, 2024 - 10:04 AM - by Chris Pike

EAST Perth moved clear in top spot with a tight Round 16 WAFL win over Perth while East Fremantle and South Fremantle also recorded victories on Saturday to consolidate their spots in the top five.

There were just the three games in Round 16 of the WAFL and the three winners all solidified their positions as a result with the Royals moving clear on top, the Sharks a game clear in fourth and the Bulldogs a game clear in fifth.

East Perth moved a game clear in top position by the end of 16 rounds with the 11.15 (81) to 11.8 (74) victory on Saturday against Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

It was an eighth straight win for the Royals despite the Demons kicking the game's last eight goals with Nick Bonomelli coming in for his first game of the season and kicking four goals while Tom Graham added two.

Mitch Crowden also collected 29 possessions, Angus Schumacher 28, Hamish Brayshaw 27, Zach Raykos 26, James Sturrock 21 and Sam Van Diemen 20.

Aaron Clarke kicked four goals for Perth and Jed Kemp three with Corey Byrne gathering 31 disposals, Charlie Constable 31, Charlie Thompson 26, Austin Davis 25, Matthew Taylor 23, Jack Avery 22 and Blake Schlensog 18 to go with 20 hit outs.

East Fremantle then had to fight hard in the battle between the last two premiers to kick three goals to one in the last quarter to beat West Perth 11.10 (76) to 9.6 (60) at Pentanet Stadium.

It's a third straight win for the Sharks with Jed Hagan kicking four goals including all three of the last term, Jono Marsh two and Ben McGuire two. Milan Murdock had 27 touches, Kyle Baskerville 27 and Jarrad Jansen 25 along with Lachlan Blakiston 17 with 34 hit outs.

Tyler Keitel kicked another five goals for West Perth to have 50 for the season with Shane Nelson compiling another 31 possessions and Riley Sprigg 23 along with 24 hit outs.

South Fremantle then turned an emotional week into a thumping win with seven goals in the last quarter securing the emphatic 17.10 (112) to 10.8 (68) win against Subiaco at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Haiden Schloithe is already a Sandover Medallist, five-time fairest and best winner and 212-game player, but is in remarkable form for the Bulldogs and kicked five goals to go with 32 possessions.

Isiah Winder also picked up 33 disposals, Matthew Parker 26 and Robbie Turnbull 22.

Taj Schofield, Ryan Borchet and Jacob Evitt kicked two goals each for Subiaco with Greg Clark collecting 31 touches, Schofield 22, Leigh Kitchin 22 and Liam Hickmott 20.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 16

EAST PERTH 11.15 (81) defeated PERTH 11.8 (74)

WEST PERTH 9.6 (60) lost to EAST FREMANTLE 11.10 (76)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 17.10 (112) defeated SUBIACO 10.8 (68)