WAFL Round 10 PreviewFriday, May 29, 2015 - 9:26 PM - by Chris Pike

THE WAFL returns this weekend following the State game victory last Saturday against South Australia with the Round 10 action featuring two matches on Saturday afternoon, and two on the WA Day holiday Monday.

The WAFL State team did well beating the SANFL 18.13 (121) to 11.10 (76) and now normal hostilities resume this long weekend.

Starting on Saturday afternoon, Swan Districts takes on Perth at Bassendean's Steel Blue Oval and Claremont plays Peel Thunder at the Claremont Showground.

Then on the WA Day Monday it's the two traditional derbies with East Perth taking on West Perth at Leederville's Medibank Stadium and East Fremantle playing South Fremantle at East Fremantle's ATOM Stadium.

The league-leading reigning premiers Subiaco has the bye while on a five-game winning streak.

CLAREMONT (3-5, 8th) v PEEL THUNDER (5-3, 3rd) – CLAREMONT SHOWGROUND, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams 
Broadcast – 91.3 SportFM 

Claremont and Peel Thunder both took in winning form into the State game break and now it is poised for a fascinating contest at the Showground on Saturday.

Claremont had a horror start to 2015 losing its first five games together with a horror run of injuries but the Tigers struck form coinciding with some key players returning over last three games and the results were wins over West Perth, Swan Districts and East Perth.

That has quickly kept the Tigers in the hunt for a finals appearance but the Thunder are certainly in that mix as well having had a good start to the season overall winning five of their opening eight games to currently sit in third position on the ladder.

Peel played well prior to the State game break returning to the winner's list beating South Fremantle by 44 points at Fremantle Oval in what was a good response from the Thunder to disappointing losses the previous two weeks against Subiaco and Swan Districts.

It was just back in Round 6 on the Anzac Day weekend when Claremont and Peel last met, and on that occasion it was the Thunder who scored a 27-point victory at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

There was just the one player from both teams who took part in last Saturday's WAFL State game win over the SANFL at Lathlain Park.

Peel's Brendon Jones, Leroy Jetta and Gerald Ugle could have all made a strong case to play, but didn’t make WA's final 22 and in the end it was only Claremont's Ryan Neates who got to play and will back up this Saturday at the Showground.

Neates had a strong game mostly on the wing for WA as well and finished the afternoon with 20 possessions and a goal.

From the Claremont team that beat East Perth by 39 points in trying conditions prior to the State game, in-form defender Lachlan Davey goes out of the team with Tom Willett a chance to play his first game of the season as his replacement.

Matthew Goyder has also been in good form going back to the reserves with 54 possessions the past two weeks so he has put his name up in contention for a recall after playing the opening six games with the league team.

Ruckman Mitch Andrews could also be back following a dominant performance in the reserves against East Perth with 25 possessions and a remarkable 72 hit outs.

However, with Mark Seaby, Kepler Bradley, Darcy Cameron and Haydn Busher already in the league side, it might come down to the team balance that the Tigers weigh up at the selection table.

While Claremont was in terrific form prior to the State game break and is now getting closer to its best team available, of concern is that Jake Murphy has still not played since Good Friday and premiership midfielder Tom Swift has played just two reserves games, and none since Round 5.

Tendai Mzungu, Hayden Crozier and Jonathon Griffin were all instrumental in Peel's win over South Fremantle two weeks ago and as a result are in contention for an AFL call up with Fremantle, but all three have been named as emergencies against Adelaide in Alice Springs on Saturday night.

However, Peel's team does have some handy players from the Dockers to return with defender Zac Dawson set to play his first game of the season following a hamstring injury while utility Matt de Boer will drop back to the WAFL with the Thunder and ruckman Jack Hannath will be back too.

Josh Deluca responded well to being in the reserves last week for the Thunder with 26 possessions to put himself back in the mix for a league call up as well while Mitch Gill and Kieran May have been putting in solid performances to be in contention as well.

SWAN DISTRICTS (3-5, 6th) v PERTH (1-7, 9th) – STEEL BLUE OVAL, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams 

Swan Districts hammered Perth back in Round 1 to open the WAFL season but Swans haven’t quite rediscovered that form and the Demons have found a way to be much more competitive since then.

Swans looked in outstanding form in that near 100-point thumping to open the season and their other wins so far in 2015 against South Fremantle and Peel Thunder have also been outstanding, but the black-and-whites just haven’t been able to find any consistency.

Leading into the State game break, the black-and-whites had lost games to Claremont in Mt Barker and Subiaco at Medibank Stadium but prior to that was the outstanding win over Peel – so the difference between their best and worst so far in 2015 has been significant.

Things were looking decidedly bleak for Perth early in the year with that big loss to Swans and then a 79-point loss to West Perth in Round 3, and despite another blip with a 103-point loss to East Perth in Round 6, they have largely been competitive since then.

Coach Earl Spalding did lead his team to their first victory against Claremont back in Round 5 and since that loss to East Perth, the Demons put in competitive showings against last year's preliminary finalists Subiaco and East Fremantle losing by just 36 and 24 points respectively.

Their last three quarters against the Sharks in their last game prior to the bye and then State game were outstanding with the only problem in that game being that they conceded 10 goals in the first quarter.

There will again be plenty of interest with players going up against their former side as well with ex-Demons Matt Rogers, Joel Houghton, Simon Donovan and Aaron Elari to play for Swans, and then former Swan Districts players David Johnston, Brett Wolfenden and Brent Latch to play with Perth.

Swans and Perth opened the WAFL season against one another also at Steel Blue Oval back in Round 1 and the black-and-whites got the perfect start to the 2015, and gave the Demons a horror one.

Swan Districts won that game by 96 points but since then Swans have been up and down in their form, and the Demons have found ways to be vastly more competitive for the most part.

Swan Districts had four players who represented the WAFL in last Saturday's 45-point State game win over South Australia at Lathlain Park, and each made a strong contribution led by Ryan Davis who claimed the Simpson Medal.

Davis received the award after being judged best afield for his game of 25 possessions, 10 inside-50 entries, eight marks and five goals but Kirk Ugle, Tony Notte and Justin Simpson did well also.

Despite having played 144 WAFL games and being a fine servant both in defence and forward for Swans, Simpson was making his debut for WA and was terrific at centre half-back ending the day with 18 disposals and six marks.

Ugle was solid in the defensive unit along with Simpson and Notte did well as a back up ruckman and forward target as well representing WA in a State game win for the second straight year.

Perth had just the one player represented in the WA team and that was on-baller Aidan Tropiano who put in a solid showing in the midfield at the feet of ruckman Paul Johnson finishing with 19 possessions and seven tackles.

Swan Districts suffered a disappointing 42-point loss a fortnight ago prior to the State game to Subiaco to give the black-and-whites four losses in their last five games.

However, coach Greg Harding will be backing in the majority of his same team to get the job done again this week against Perth.

One change could be the inclusion of Matthew Jukes with the lively half-forward a chance to play his first game of the season after four matches in the reserves after an injury-interrupted opening to the year.

He kicked 26 goals in 20 matches last season with Swans and was an important part of the team that made the finals so he could be a handy inclusion.

Laurence Grescos is also a chance to return and play his second league game of the season with Nelson Ansey continuing to press his claims for a debut and this Saturday against Perth could be his opportunity.

Perth put in a strong showing after quarter-time last up against East Fremantle prior to the bye before the State game break.

There is some quality players who could return to now face Swan Districts on Saturday as well with Chance Bateman and Jarryd Morton leading that list along with Lachlan Dennis, Sam Garstone, Callum Walley and Cody Leggett.

Hawthorn AFL premiership player Bateman could be back for his fourth game of the season and first since Round 5 with another former Hawk Morton in line to return as well after missing the last two matches after making a two-game return from another injury.

Meanwhile, Garstone and Dennis are both a chance to make their league debuts with Walley and Leggett both a chance to come back into the side and to add a little bit more bit to the Demons' forward-line. 

EAST PERTH (3-5, 7th) v WEST PERTH (5-3, 2nd) – MEDIBANK STADIUM, MONDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams 
Broadcast – KIX Digital

Neither East Perth nor West Perth have forgotten what happened just three weeks ago when they last met and now that sets up a WA Day derby clash on Monday at Medibank Stadium with plenty of the usual spice that is there between the two fierce rivals.

Back in that game, East Perth blew a 42-point lead late in the third quarter to end up losing by 38 points and that was a game that the Royals were hurt by, and will be desperate to bounce back from but the Falcons took plenty confidence out of kicking the last 12 goals of that game.

West Perth built on that victory to go on and beat East Fremantle by 22 points in difficult conditions leading into the State game and that improved the Falcons to a 5-3 record to sit in second position on the ladder.

Coming off that defeat, East Perth then only managed two goals against Claremont recording the club's lowest ever score against the Tigers and the Royals have now lost three straight matches to need to bounce back on Monday to improve on their 3-5 record to remain in touch for the top five.

It was just three weeks, and two rounds, ago when East Perth and West Perth last did battle at HBF Arena and that was a remarkable contest.

The Royals were undermanned, but had put in a terrific performance to be in control and leading by 42 points heading into time-on of the third quarter. But then the game took a stunning turn with the Falcons kicking the last 12 goals to turn that 42-point deficit into a 38-point victory.

East Perth ended up with just the one representative in last Saturday's State game when the WAFL beat the SANFL, but he was named captain and ruckman Paul Johnson was the best big man on the ground as skipper and had 14 touches and 19 hit outs.

Co-captain Brendan Lee pulled out with a hamstring niggle but should be right to play for East Perth on Monday in the WA Day derby while reigning fairest and best winner Steven Payne could consider himself unlucky to not have been selected.

West Perth had just the two players in the WA team as well but Aaron Black and Andrew Strijk were two of the best players on the field. Strijk finished with 27 possessions and eight marks off half-back, and Black had 28 disposals, eight marks and two goals on the wing.

The Falcons also had some players who deserved to consider themselves unlucky to not play most notably star on-baller, premiership player and two-time fairest and best winner Shane Nelson, but also premiership ruckman Chris Keunen and small defender Laine Rasmussen.

East Perth was certainly down on manpower in its last up showing against Claremont where the Royals managed just the two goals and ended with a third straight defeat.

The news isn’t completely positive at selection for the Royals coming into the WA Day derby, though, with Brant Colledge being rewarded for his strong midfield form this season by earning a call up to play with West Coast against Geelong at Domain Stadium on Sunday.

Tom Barrass has also been named as an emergency for the Eagles after some strong form in his first five league matches as a key defender, but he is still expected to play for East Perth against West Perth.

Damian Lee is also out of the Royals team after breaking his hand in the last up loss to Claremont a fortnight ago.

However, there are certainly some positive inclusions headlined by wingman Freddie Clutterbuck who comes back into the East Perth team after missing the Claremont game with a quadriceps strain to play his 100th WAFL game on the big occasion of the WA Day derby.

West Coast's Xavier Ellis will also play his first WAFL league game after playing in the reserves two weeks ago against Claremont and picking up 17 possessions in limited game time.

Two more West Coast players Scott Lycett and Patrick McGinnity should also be back with the Royals on Monday after not playing against Claremont, but lining up against West Perth three weeks ago.

Quality small defender Mitch Fraser also is set to come straight back into the East Perth team after being out injured since Round 5.

Clayton Giblett, Scott Jones, Agid Gardoud and Zac Dent are the other East Perth players in the mix at the selection table.

West Perth will welcome back powerhouse key defender Marcus Adams to play his first game since Round 3 after he suffered a hand injury. He will further strengthen the Falcons' defence and to make way for his return Mitch van Berlo hasn’t been able to hold onto his place in the team.

Former East Perth colts player Tyler Keitel could make his league debut against the team he left leaving the Falcons and Royals embroiled in an extended wrangle over his clearance, that eventually came.

He has now played four matches in the reserves with West Perth and split his team between playing both as a key forward and defender. He has averaged almost 18 possessions a game, taken some strong marks and also kicked three goals last time up against East Perth.

Speedster Kris Shannon is on track to come straight back into the West Perth team after missing the win last up over East Fremantle while Corey Chalmers and Blake Wilhelm continue to play well in the reserves to press their claims for a spot in the league team with the Falcons.

EAST FREMANTLE (5-3, 4th) v SOUTH FREMANTLE (4-4, 5th) – ATOM STADIUM, MONDAY 2.40PM
Selected teams 
 Broadcast – 7mate, 720 ABC Perth, Pirate FM 

Both teams are coming off losses, little separates them on the ladder, each has key players returning and it just happens to be the most traditional WAFL match of the year in the Foundation Derby on WA Day between East Fremantle and South Fremantle at ATOM Stadium.

Both the Sharks and Bulldogs lost their last games leading into the State game break to West Perth and Peel Thunder respectively, and now there is plenty riding on the result given where the two teams currently sit.

East Fremantle had won four straight matches leading the match with West Perth at HBF Arena, but the Sharks fell 22 points short of the Falcons to leave them in fourth position with a 5-3 record.

South Fremantle looked impressive beating East Perth by 13 points back in Round 8 but the Bulldogs were then disappointing losing to Peel by 44 points prior to the State game break to leave them in fifth position on 4-4.

That leaves the result of the derby on Monday crucial to both teams with the difference between East Fremantle being two games clear of South Fremantle at 6-3 to 4-5, or both being equal at 5-4 is stark.

Not only is there plenty riding on the clash, but the game is always the biggest occasion of any WAFL home and away season.

Highlighting how big of an occasion the game is, the last nine derbies on WA Day have attracted an average crowd of 7570 with no figure of less than the 5120 that attended ATOM Stadium two years ago.

And remarkably, the visiting team has won the last nine derbies between the Sharks and Bulldogs including South Fremantle having won its last four trips to the East Fremantle venue including that last WA Day clash at the ground to the tune of 67 points in 2013.

Fremantle derbies now have two traditional days that they are held every season on Anzac Day and WA Day, so the first meeting of 2015 was back on Anzac Day at Fremantle Oval and East Fremantle proved too strong beating South Fremantle by 17 points in front of just over 5000 fans.

East Fremantle started with five players in the initial WAFL State squad for last Saturday's game with South Australia, but Bradd Dalziell and Andrew Stephen were forced to withdraw, and brothers Rory and Brock O'Brien both missed selection despite being in outstanding form.

That left Liam Anthony as the lone Sharks representative and despite his reputation as a running player who can use his pace and elite kicking skills, he put in a strong performance in and under for WA and finished with 23 possessions, 11 tackles and a goal in the win over South Australia.

South Fremantle also began with five players in the initial WA squad and ended up with five players who took the field last Saturday in the 45-point win, but it was with small forward Cory Dell'Olio replacing injured full-forward Ben Saunders.

Dell'Olio played what was likely his best performance of the season as well since returning from Essendon with three goals from 20 possessions while Ashton Hams, Ryan Cook, Marlion Pickett and Blayne Wilson all lined up as well from the Bulldogs in the win for the WAFL.

Hams had won the Simpson Medal in 2014 after a best on ground display against the NEAFL and was terrific again last Saturday with 26 possessions and a goal while Cook was playing a fourth State game in his fifth year in the WAFL, and had 18 touches, nine marks and a goal.

Wilson and Pickett were both making their debuts for WA and both did well in a back-line that held up strongly against South Australia.

It is a star-studded group of players returning to the line-up for East Fremantle from the team that lost to West Perth at HBF Arena to the one that will take on South Fremantle in the derby on Monday at ATOM Stadium.

Wingman/half-forward Dalziell and experienced defender Stephen would have both likely played in the State game for WA had they been fit, but they will both be right to now play in the derby.

Dalziell has missed East Fremantle's last three games due to a knee problem but will return to add some further run and experience to the Sharks line-up while Stephen hurt a hamstring in the win over Perth, but has now had time to recover in time to be ready for the derby.

Midfielder Jamie McNamara will also return from a hamstring injury for the Sharks and will celebrate his 100-game milestone in the derby.

Big man James Bristow was on fire early in the game against Perth three weeks ago and finished with four goals, but he couldn’t back up six days later to take on West Perth. However, he's right to go this Monday to resume his combination in the ruck and as a forward target with Rob Young.

Aaron Holmes remains a chance to make his league debut for East Fremantle after continuing to play well in the reserves while Boston Williamson is the only out of the Sharks' side at this stage.

South Fremantle will again be without full-forward Ben Saunders with an ankle injury and full-back Dylan Ross who might still play in the reserves on Monday despite being diagnosed with glandular fever.

Important midfielders Haiden Schloithe and Jacob Martinez should also both return from injury for the Bulldogs, but in the reserves.

There could be some experience back into the South Fremantle team, though, with 182-game dual premiership player Craig White in the mix to return after three weeks in the reserves with 108-game midfielder Toby Bairstow in the mix to play just his second league game of 2015.

Nick Borovac had cemented himself as a quality defender over the past three years but had an injury-interrupted pre-season and has had to bide his time with six games in the reserves, but he is a chance to add to his 60 league games on Monday in the derby against the Sharks.

Key forward Josh Pullman looks set to be right to play after missing the game against Peel.

With the absence of Saunders, he will be an important inclusion to help provide a strong marking option alongside James Sellar with Paul Mugambwa, Cory Dell'Olio, Steven Verrier, Jacob Dragovich and potentially White and John Sgherza in support.

Ruckman Josh Branchi is in the mix to make his league debut as well for the Bulldogs after working hard in the reserves and averaging over 15 possessions, five marks and 29 hit outs a game this season.

Young small forward Traye Bennell is the only out of the South Fremantle team at this stage.