Round 23 WAFL ResultsSunday, August 25, 2013 - 9:56 PM - by Chris Pike

SWAN Districts scored a crucial win over East Fremantle in Saturday's Round 23 WAFL action that could very well lock in a finals berth for the black-and-whites with Claremont, South Fremantle and Subiaco also recording victories.

All eyes were on Bassendean's Steel Blue Oval with a spot in the four up grabs with Swan Districts prevailing over East Fremantle 14.19 (103) to 12.8 (80).

Claremont overcame Perth 15.12 (102) to 12.9 (81) at Lathlain's Brownes Stadium while South Fremantle and East Perth played out perhaps the most entertaining game of the season with the Bulldogs winning 22.13 (145) to 21.7 (133) at Fremantle Oval in a high-scoring thriller.

Subiaco's clash with Peel Thunder at Leederville's Medibank Stadium was certainly far from the prettiest game of the season, but it was the Lions who won 18.14 (122) to 12.5 (77).

Swan Districts and East Fremantle both knew the winner of Saturday's clash at Steel Blue Oval would be in the top-four and the loser wouldn’t, and it was Swans who prevailed by 23 points to move up to third spot with East Perth dropping to fourth with its loss to South Fremantle.

Swan Districts dominated early kicking the first three goals of the game before the Sharks had even scored, but East Fremantle hit back in the second quarter to trail by just 18 points at half-time.

That deficit was cut to just five points at three quarter-time, but Swans booted four goals to two in the last quarter to win by 23 points and it could have been by more had it not been for the eight last quarter behinds as well.

Andrew Embley was the worst offender in front of goals for Swans finishing with 1.7 from his 22 possessions.

Charlie Cameron had his kicking boots on finishing with five majors while Ryan Davis and Tom Roach kicked two each.

Aaron Elari racked up 27 possessions, Brett Robinson 24, Matt Riggio 23, Roach 22, and Blaine Boekhorst 19.

Brett Peake kicked three goals for East Fremantle with Sean Henson and Michael Edwards adding two each while Rory O'Brien gathered 29 possessions, Mark McGough 25 and Richard Hadley 22.

East Perth got off to a flying start at Fremantle Oval kicking the first five goals of the game against South Fremantle to appear on track to record a win that would have guaranteed a finals spot for the Royals.

However, the Bulldogs worked back into the contest and were just 15 points down at half-time and then kicked an incredible 15.1 in the second half to end up winning their third straight match, downing the Royals by 12 points in the end.

Marlon Pickett made one of the most incredible WAFL debuts in recent memory for the Bulldogs with the 21-year-old putting on a dazzling display finishing with 26 possessions, nine marks, eight inside 50s and three goals to be clearly best on ground.

Kris Miller is at the other end of his career having played 297 WAFL games now, but he also starred off half-forward with five goals from 19 possessions.

Full-forward Ben Saunders also kicked four goals for South Fremantle with Paul Mugambwa adding three and Haiden Schloithe two to go with his 25 disposals.

Mitch Banner had 27 possessions, Ryan Cook 24, Adam Guglielmana 21, ruckman Sean Tighe 20 (and 30 hit outs) while Dylan Ross was outstanding at centre half-back and third-gamer James Laurino was terrific shutting Cale Morton out of the game.

Adam Selwood started on the ball for East Perth but soon settled down forward as the Royals' best target in attack in the absence of Josh Smith and he finished the afternoon with five goals.

Dean Cadwallader, Aaron Sweet, Michael Swan and Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls all kicked two goals each with small forward Arthur Bennell kicking four majors.

Brendan Lee racked up 31 possessions, Mat Seal 28, Craig Wulff 22, Steven Payne 20 and ruckman Paul Johnson 17 to go with 52 hit outs and a goal.

Perth needed a miracle just about anyway to make the finals before Saturday's clash at home with Claremont, but the Tigers ended all hopes the Demons might have still had with a comfortable 21-point victory.

Perth actually started well and led by 12 points at quarter-time, but Claremont took control in the second quarter with five goals to one, and were never threatened throughout the second half going on to record the win.

Jake Murphy continued his outstanding form for Claremont with four goals from 24 possessions with Luke Blackwell again leading the way with 33 disposals and six tackles.

Chad Jones also kicked three goals for the Tigers with Jack Bradshaw and Ian Richardson adding two apiece while Ryan Neates had 25 disposals, Sam Fong 23 and Blake Anderson 20.

Brennan Stack kicked four goals for Perth with Paul Bevan and Simon Tunbridge booting two apiece while Julian Jacobs had 23 possessions, Brett Hodge 22, Dene White 22 and Fraser McInnes 19 to go with nine marks and six inside-50 entries.

Subiaco brought an end to its eight-game losing run beating Peel by 45 points to end the Thunder's season in disappointing fashion and having lost their last 11 games.

Rhys Waters and Aidan Parker kicked three goals apiece for Subiaco with Alliston Pickett, Brad Stevenson, Andrew McDougall and Charles Le Fanu all kicking two each.

George Hampson gathered 29 possessions, Brett Mahoney 27 and McDougall 24 to go with 21 hit outs and his two goals.

Matt Orzel kicked three goals for Peel with Kristin Thornton and Brad Holmes kicking two each.

Jesse Crichton finished with 29 possessions, Marlon Motlop 28 and Brendon Jones 22.

ROUND 23 RESULTS
LEAGUE
Swan Districts 14.19 (103) defeated East Fremantle 12.8 (80)
Perth 12.9 (81) lost to Claremont 15.12 (102)
South Fremantle 22.13 (145) defeated East Perth 21.7 (133)
Subiaco 18.14 (122) defeated Peel Thunder 12.5 (77)

RESERVES
Swan Districts 13.11 (89) defeated East Fremantle 8.9 (57)
Perth 20.7 (127) defeated Claremont 7.8 (50)
South Fremantle 17.11 (113) defeated East Perth 13.6 (84)
Subiaco 22.18 (150) defeated Peel Thunder 4.10 (34)

COLTS
Swan Districts 7.3 (45) lost to East Fremantle 17.15 (117)
Perth 8.11 (59) lost to Claremont 11.9 (75)
South Fremantle 20.7 (127) defeated East Perth 9.7 (61)
Subiaco 19.16 (130) defeated Peel Thunder 3.3 (21)