Anzac Round WAFL ResultsTuesday, April 28, 2015 - 11:03 AM - by Chris Pike

THE Anzac Round of the WAFL concluded on Monday afternoon with West Perth securing a stunning comeback win over Swan Districts while East Fremantle held on to score a strong win over South Fremantle.

The Anzac Round began back on Saturday afternoon with East Perth thumping Perth 20.18 (138) to 5.5 (35) at Lathlain Park and then on Sunday, Peel Thunder scored a fourth straight victory beating the winless Claremont 16.12 (108) to 11.15 (81) at Mandurah's Bendigo Bank Stadium.

There were then two massive match ups on Monday starting with West Perth kicking the last five goals of the game to beat Swan Districts 12.12 (84) to 12.5 (77) in stunning fashion in front of more than 3000 spectators at Joondalup's HBF Arena.

And then at Fremantle Oval, 5200 people saw East Fremantle beat South Fremantle 13.15 (93) to 11.10 (76) to win a third straight match and to hand the Bulldogs a third consecutive defeat.

West Perth and Swan Districts met one another for a third straight year over the Anzac Day weekend and it was yet another stunning contest between the two teams.

Neither side was able to lead by more than two goals throughout a tight first half, but then Swans' first-year ruckman Jake Nuich gave his team a much-needed tall option in attack in the absence of the suspended Ricky Cary.

Having never previously kicked a goal, he booted three in a 13-minute burst during the third quarter and then when Ryan Davis added his third goal as well before three quarter-time, Swans had taken control to lead by 18 points.

Then when Jason Daniels added another goal, and then Matt Rogers booted two in succession midway through the final term it appeared the black-and-whites were headed for the victory.

Swans were still leading by 26 points heading into time-on of the last quarter but then West Perth turned it on and booted five goals in 10 minutes to secure the remarkable win.

Luke Meadows, Matt Fowler, Kris Shannon, Jay van Berlo and then Fowler again were the men responsible for the match-winning run of goals for the Falcons.

Fowler finished with three goals for West Perth with Matt Johnson also booting three majors in the first half to keep the Falcons in the contest. Meadows added two crucial last quarter goals as well.

Shane Nelson racked up 28 possessions for West Perth with Rohan Kerr also gathering 28 disposals and taking eight marks. Aidan Lynch also gathered 24 disposals for the Falcons, Aaron Black 24, Jay van Berlo 22, Steven Browne 21, Andrew Strijk 18 and Luke Tedesco 17.

Chris Keunen was tremendous in the ruck again for West Perth with 15 possessions and 49 hit outs while Drew Rohde played the best game of his burgeoning league career finishing with 22 disposals and five tackles.

Jake Nuich kicked three goals to go with 12 disposals, five marks and 15 hit outs for Swan Districts while Ryan Davis added 23 possessions, six marks, nine inside-50 entries and three goals. Matt Rogers also kicked two majors to go with 22 touches and 11 marks.

Tallan Ames did a tremendous job holding Michael Lourey to just the one goal while also in Swans' back-line, Justin Simpson racked up 31 possessions and took 12 marks while Kirk Ugle added 22 disposals and Nathan Broad had 27 to go with eight marks.

Matt Riggio picked up 27 possessions for Swan Districts while Jarrad Blight gathered 23 disposals and laid eight tackles. Jason Daniels also had 20 touches in just his sixth league game.

Then at Fremantle Oval, South Fremantle started strongly with the first two, and the last two goals of the first quarter to hold a 17-point advantage at quarter-time.

However, East Fremantle then came out on fire in the second quarter and kicked the first seven goals in the first 20 minutes to suddenly go from 17 points down to lead by 24 points.

South Fremantle, though, did steady just before half-time with captain Ryan Cook kicking two goals, and Josh Pullman adding another and East Fremantle's lead was cut to six points by half-time.

The Bulldogs kept trying to fight back into the contest throughout the second half, but couldn’t get closer than 11 points during the last term with the Sharks ending up winning by 17 points.

East Fremantle key forwards Jack Perham and Ryan Lester-Smith kicked two goals each as did captain Rory O'Brien to go with 22 disposals as he spent more time as a small forward rather than in his usual role on the ball.

Andrew Stephen also booted two goals for the Sharks with the defender sneaking forward in the first and third quarters while also having a good battle trying to quell the influence of Cory Dell'Olio.

Cameron Eardley was East Fremantle's leading possession-winner finishing with 26 disposals to go with six tackles and six inside-50 entries while Brock O'Brien was terrific with his drive off half-back finishing with 24 touches, six marks and four inside 50s.

Sam Read did a good job keeping South Fremantle's Ben Saunders to just three kicks and two goals while Danny Chartres also shut down James Sellar in the defence.

Bradd Dalziell also gathered 20 possessions for East Fremantle, Boston Williamson 19 and Sean Henson 18.

South Fremantle coach Todd Curley made five changes to the team coming into his first game in charge in a derby with East Fremantle, and two youngsters he blooded grabbed their chances with both hands.

Simon Panizza was given the run-with role on Liam Anthony in just his second league appearance, and first of the season, and did a tremendous job holding him to just the 11 possessions.

Jacob Dragovich then made the most of his league debut finishing his first match with 23 possessions, seven marks and a goal.

Brock Higgins worked tirelessly in the ruck for South Fremantle up against both Rob Young and James Bristow, and he finished with 22 possessions, 11 marks, 22 hit outs and five entries inside the forward 50.

Ashton Hams racked up 29 possessions for South Fremantle while Kyle Hams had 22 disposals, Brendan Verrier 19, Ryan Cook 18 (and two goals), Steven Verrier 17 and Jarrod Parry 17.

Adam Guglielmana did a terrific job defensively holding George Hampson goalless and having 18 possessions while up forward, Josh Pullman proved the most effective target for the Bulldogs with 16 touches, eight marks and two goals.

Cory Dell'Olio kicked two goals and Ben Saunders did also to go along with taking a spectacular mark midway through the fourth quarter.

ANZAC ROUND WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
Perth 5.5 (35) lost to East Perth 20.18 (138)
Peel Thunder 16.12 (108) defeated Claremont 11.15 (81)
West Perth 12.12 (84) defeated Swan Districts 12.5 (77)
South Fremantle 11.10 (76) lost to East Fremantle 13.15 (93)

RESERVES
Perth 16.8 (104) defeated East Perth 6.6 (42)
Peel Thunder 10.14 (74) defeated Claremont 9.13 (67)
West Perth 9.15 (69) lost to Swan Districts 11.10 (76)
South Fremantle 11.13 (79) lost to East Fremantle 15.5 (95)

COLTS
Perth 13.11 (89) defeated East Perth 7.7 (49)
Peel Thunder 8.13 (61) lost to Claremont 11.7 (73)
West Perth 10.8 (68) defeated Swan Districts 7.6 (48)
South Fremantle 14.11 (95) defeated East Fremantle 9.10 (64)