Round 20 WAFL ResultsSunday, August 4, 2013 - 12:49 PM - by Chris Pike

EAST Fremantle scored a crucial Round 20 WAFL victory on Saturday to shoot up to third position on the ladder at the expense of Perth and East Perth who both suffered defeats to help the Sharks make their move.

East Fremantle needed to beat Perth to remain a chance to play finals in 2013 after last year's grand final appearance and the Sharks came from behind to get the job done 16.12 (108) to 12.8 (80) at East Fremantle Oval.

East Perth missed a chance to move into the top-four at the same time with the top-of-the-table Claremont recording a hard fought 19.13 (127) to 14.15 (99) at Claremont Oval.

South Fremantle recorded its fourth win of the season downing Subiaco 16.10 (106) to 14.14 (98) at Leederville's Medibank Stadium and West Perth beat Peel Thunder 17.12 (114) to 9.11 (65) at Arena Joondalup.

Perth got the jump on East Fremantle in a crucial match at East Fremantle Oval but the Demons lost Chance Bateman and Christian Eyres to injury, and the Sharks wore them down with eight goals to three after half-time to end up winning by 28 points.

Without leading goalkicker Ryan Lester-Smith in the line-up, East Fremantle had to find other avenues to goal and Brad Dick kicked three goals with Mitch Boyle and Brett Peake adding two apiece.

It was Daniel Kerr who was the star of the day for East Fremantle, though, who finished with 35 possessions and three goals. Rory O'Brien also racked up 43 disposals for the Sharks, Aidan Tropiano 25, Jayden Schofield 23, Tom Howlett 22 and Mark McGough 22.

Perth captain Paul Bevan booted three goals to go with 23 possessions with Simon Tunbridge, Matt Tedesco, Kyle Reimers and Joel Leeson kicking two goals apiece for the Demons.

Julian Jacobs racked up 28 possessions, Alistair Smith 27, Brett Hodge 25 and Michael Florio 20.

Claremont started well against East Perth with five goals to one in the first quarter but the Tigers were unable to shake a Royals team desperate to win and return to the top-four.

East Perth was back within two goals by half-time and then hit the front during the second half, but the Tigers finished strongly to run out 28-point winners in the end.

West Coast's Patrick McGinnity returned for Claremont and finished with 26 possessions and three goals with Nick Winmar and Richardson booting three goals apiece, and Paul Medhurst, Andrew Foster and Chad Jones all two.

Luke Blackwell was outstanding for Claremont with 36 possessions with Jake Murphy racking up 34 disposals, Foster 22, Richardson 21 and returning captain Andrew Browne 21.

Josh Smith booted four goals for East Perth to maintain his lead atop the Bernie Naylor Medal race with West Coast's Cale Morton booting three majors, Craig Wulff two and Dean Cadwallader two.

Brendan Lee racked up 27 possessions for the Royals, Adam Selwood 26, Matt Rosa 22 and Steven Payne 21.

The ruck battle was a fascinating, and in the end even one, with East Perth's Paul Johnson having 13 possessions and 20 hit outs and Claremont's Mark Seaby 15 and 28.

Subiaco and South Fremantle might both be well out of finals contention, but the two teams played out a tight and entertaining affair all afternoon at Medibank Stadium before the Bulldogs finished the stronger with six goals to two in the last quarter to win by eight points.

Reigning Bernie Naylor Medallist Ben Saunders kicked six goals for South Fremantle from just nine kicks with the majority of them coming from handballs over the top to him in the goal square.

Kris Miller set up the majority of those and finished with three goals himself to go with 20 possessions.

Paul Mugambwa also kicked three goals for South Fremantle with Ryan Cook picking up 30 possessions, Haiden Schloithe 28, Jacob Martinez 26, Sean Tighe 23, Adam Guglielmana 22 and Tim Kelly 21.

Debutant James Laurino did a superb job holding Subiaco wingman Jarrod Kayler-Thomson to just 15 possessions.

Two youngsters Charles Le Fanu (three goals) and Michael Wood (two) did well in attack for Subiaco while George Hampson picked up 26 disposals, Abe Davey 21, Chris Phelan 19 and Ray Daniels 18.

West Perth was in control all afternoon against Peel Thunder at Arena Joondalup kicking six goals to two in the first quarter and ending up winning comfortably by 49 points.

Matt Fowler kicked an equal career-best four goals for West Perth at full-forward with Anthony Tsalikis and Josh Mellington both kicking three majors, and captain Jason Salecic two.

Shane Nelson racked up 32 possessions with Aaron Black finishing with 28 disposals, Andrew Strijk 26, Rohan Kerr 24, Steve Potente 23, Marc Crisp 20 and Jordan Jones 20.

Brad Holmes and Viv Michie kicked two goals apiece for Peel with Michie also collecting 24 possessions.

Marlon Motlop racked up 28 disposals for the Thunder as well with Matt Orzel picking up 25 touches, captain Brendon Jones 25, Liam McKenna 23, Hayden Crozier 22, Paul Bower 21 and Brennan Gillam 21.

ROUND 20 RESULTS
LEAGUE
Claremont 19.13 (127) defeated East Perth 14.15 (99)
East Fremantle 16.12 (108) defeated Perth 12.8 (80)
Subiaco 14.14 (98) lost to South Fremantle 16.10 (106)
West Perth 17.12 (114) defeated Peel Thunder 9.11 (65)

RESERVES
Claremont 15.16 (106) defeated East Perth 6.8 (44)
East Fremantle 13.11 (89) defeated Perth 13.8 (86)
Subiaco 3.8 (26) lost to South Fremantle 18.14 (122)
West Perth 11.16 (82) defeated Peel Thunder 3.6 (24)

COLTS
Claremont 16.7 (103) defeated East Perth 8.7 (55)
Subiaco 7.12 (54) lost to South Fremantle 16.6 (102)
West Perth 7.6 (48) defeated Peel Thunder 5.8 (38)