And he put in a strong showing in the midfield for the Thunder despite the heavy loss finishing with 27 possessions and 10 tackles.

Another Docker Hayden Crozier worked hard for Peel ending the afternoon with 25 disposals and taking 10 marks while Lachie Weller amassed 23 disposals, Max Duffy 22, Jacob Ballard 21, Ed Langdon 21 and Brady Grey 19.

Ethan Hughes tried hard in the under-siege defence and also offered good counterattack with 23 possessions but Zac Dawson didn’t have the return from injury he hoped with just three kicks, one handpass and one mark. He also broke his thumb in the process.

It was an important win for Swan Districts over Perth after losses to Claremont and Subiaco prior to the State game, and it was set up in the midfield by Adam Faulkner (34 possessions, eight clearances), Aaron Elari (30 disposals) and Matt Riggio (30 touches, seven clearances).

Last week's Simpson Medallist Ryan Davis had a slow start with Kieran Hug holding him to three first quarter possessions, but that tag was released after quarter-time and Davis finished with 21 touches, 10 inside 50s, nine marks and eight tackles.

Jacob Burnham played one of his better league games for Swans with 22 possessions while the defence held up reasonably well in the absence of captain Tallan Ames with the leadership of stand-in skipper Justin Simpson.

Alex Howard was given the difficult task of trying to shut down Mitch Morton from Perth, and despite two first quarter goals he stuck to his task well and kept the AFL premiership player quiet.

Swans might have had some tall forward targets in the form of Ricky Cary, Joel Houghton and Tim Geappen, but it was the smaller options that proved most effective with former Demon Simon Donovan kicking three goals as did Matthew Jukes in his first league appearance of the season.

Aidan Tropiano continued his outstanding season for Perth with another 33 possessions, 10 clearances, seven tackles and a crucial last quarter goal that brought the Demons back to within just two points.

Liam McKenna also worked hard for the Demons with 29 touches and nine clearances while captain Dene White finished with 25 disposals, six tackles and two first quarter goals.

Brett Wolfenden fought hard against the side he played in a premiership with ending the afternoon with 20 disposals, nine marks, five clearances and a goal.

Brent Latch was yet another player against his old side and the former Swan turned Demon did a good job at full-back all afternoon holding Cary to just the one goal for Swan Districts.

Lachlan Dennis also kicked two goals for Perth in an encouraging performance and overall coach Earl Spalding deserved to be proud of the fight shown from his team to never give up, but disappointed they just fell short of what would have been a stunning win.

Freddie Clutterbuck celebrated his 100th game for East Perth in style as well finishing the afternoon at Medibank Stadium with 24 possessions and two goals.

West Coast big man Scott Lycett was the best key forward on the ground with four goals from 10 possessions and six marks while ruckman Paul Johnson backed up leading WA to a State game win last week with a strong performance in the ruck in the derby.

Johnson ended up with 58 hit outs for the game to go with 14 touches, four marks and a goal while the Royals midfield worked their way on top with Patrick McGinnity gathering 26 possessions to go with six tackles.

Steven Payne also compiled 26 disposals on the wing for the Royals while co-captain Brendan Lee had 23 touches and a goal, Kane Lucas 21 disposals, six inside 50s and five tackles.

East Perth's back-line held up well with the returning Mitch Fraser ending up with 20 possessions, Nathan Blee 19, Mitch Howlett 17 and Tom Barrass might not have had a lot of it, but was a strong contributor again.

Malcolm Karpany, Clayton Giblett and Craig Wulff all kicked two goals apiece for the Royals with Wulff also finishing with 20 possessions, six marks and four inside-50 entries.

West Perth couldn’t find a multiple goalkicker on the afternoon with all 10 of its majors coming courtesy of individual scorers despite Michael Lourey, Marcus Adams and Luke Meadows all having chances at kicking more than one.

Shane Nelson sent a message that he was unlucky to not play in last Saturday's WA State game win over South Australia again being West Perth's best player working tirelessly in the midfield with 36 possessions, five inside 50s and a goal.

Sandover Medallist Aaron Black did play in the State game last week and backed up with a strong showing in the WA Day Derby with 33 disposals and 11 marks.

Matt Guadagnin lifted and played perhaps his best game of the season with the 187-game premiership midfielder colleting 23 disposals, laying eight tackles, driving the ball inside-50 on five occasions and kicking a goal to put the Falcons back in front in the second quarter.

Rohan Kerr worked into the game for West Perth and finished with 22 disposals and a goal while Aidan Lynch picked up 19 touches, Adams 18 in his return game, Steven Browne 18 and Kody Manning 18 to go with five inside 50s and four tackles.

Captain Ryan Cook led from the front for South Fremantle and was named best afield after finishing with 23 possessions, 10 marks and three goals in the stunning five-point WA Day Foundation Derby win over East Fremantle.

Cory Dell'Olio wasn’t far behind with 19 disposals and four goals while Ashton Hams was terrific also with 29 touches, six tackles, five marks and four inside 50s.

Josh Pullman and Simon Panizza kicked two goals each for South Fremantle as well with Panizza's intensity proving important for the Bulldogs and he racked up 18 touches as well.

Adam Carter picked up 23 possessions and 12 marks for South Fremantle with Kyle Hams finishing with 20 disposals, Steven Verrier 20, Shaun Bewick 19, Pickett 19 and Jarrod Parry 18.

Adam Guglielmana finished with 21 possessions and seven marks while having a fascinating battle with George Hampson.

Ruckman Josh Branchi made his league debut in the heat of a derby and stood up well allowing Brock Higgins to spend time as a target in attack. Branchi showed encouraging signs in his 13 possessions and 12 hit outs.

East Fremantle had some outstanding contributors all afternoon and none were better than Jamie McNamara in his 100th WAFL appearance.

He finished with 33 possessions while Liam Anthony was terrific shaking off the tag of Panizza to kick two first quarter goals and end up racking up 30 disposals for the game and laying eight tackles.

In what looks like turning out to be the last of his 76-game WAFL career, Bradd Dalziell was terrific as well for East Fremantle with four goals playing largely as a forward.

Fellow small forward Hampson proved a handful with 18 possessions, eight marks and three goals but he also missed some shots that he would usually have expected to nail.

Captain Rory O'Brien worked hard for 27 disposals for the Sharks, Brock O'Brien had 24, Eardley 22 and Mark McGough 21.

Matthew Jupp did a good job on defence keeping James Sellar scoreless while also battling Higgins at different times while Danny Chartres had a good battle with Mugambwa.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
And in the reserves at the Showground, Peel won a thriller over Claremont 10.9 (69) to 10.6 (66) despite the Tigers storming home with five goals to two in the final quarter.

Nathan Fahey kicked three goals for Peel with Nick Gajewski, Mitchell Wallace and Stephen Kane all adding two apiece.

Cruize Garlett finished the game having picked up 36 possessions with Ben Hancock gathering 34 touches, Brennan Gillam 27, Corey Morris 26, Dylan Winton 24, Mitch Gill 24, Josh Deluca 24 and Kane 22.

Keegan Knott kicked another five goals for Claremont giving the small forward 14 goals in the past three games in the reserves with the Tigers.

Alexander Manuel and Kaiden Gilbert kicked two goals each for the Tigers while Mitch Andrews was terrific again in the ruck with 24 possessions, 11 marks and 35 hit outs. Ben Higgins also had 24 disposals, Manuel 21, Isaac Baum 21, Chaz Flint 20 and Steven Edwards 18.

Perth's reserves pulled off a thrilling 14.10 (94) to 14.6 (90) victory over Swan Districts with the winning goal coming courtesy of a free-kick in the goal square in the dying stages.

Brennan Stack kicked four goals for Perth with Blake Borrett adding three, Daniel Arangio two and Callum Collard two.

Michael Sinclair returned from injury and had a terrific game with 35 possessions, 16 marks and a goal while Kane Ransted finished with 22 disposals, Hayden Tanner 21, Jarrad Irons 20 and Cody Leggett 19.

Jackson Slater kicked four goals for Swan Districts in the reserves with the returning Todd Banfield adding two in his first game of the season after breaking his leg during pre-season.

Sean Fletcher also kicked two goals for Swans with Albert Dean racking up 27 possessions, Roderick Manton 22 and David McKay 19.

And in the reserves, West Perth won a thriller over East Perth ending up recording the 14.10 (94) to 13.9 (87) victory at Medibank Stadium.

Callum Papertalk kicked three goals for the Falcons with Brayden Antonio, Hayden Yarran, and former Royal Brent Fotheringham all kicking two apiece.

Trent Manzone amassed 25 possessions for West Perth with Antonio finishing with 23 disposals, Ray Bartholomew 17, Corey Chalmers 17 and Fotheringham 16. Tim Sutherland worked hard in the ruck 10 touches and 30 hit outs.

Agid Gardoud kicked three goals for East Perth with Kester Decke and Cameron Aitkin booting two while Zac Dent racked up 29 possessions, Tom Shanahan 28, Corey Adamson 26, Tom Omodei 24, Julian Ameduri 21 and Marty Zambotto 21.

South Fremantle's reserves had a thumping 17.8 (110) to 7.7 (49) win over East Fremantle at ATOM Stadium with Jacob Martinez and Haiden Schloithe both returning from injury for the Bulldogs.

Schloithe didn’t come back on after half-time but was terrific in the first half with 18 possessions while Martinez ended up with 22 disposals.

John Sgherza kicked four goals for South Fremantle with Stephen Mills and Kaiden Matera booting three apiece.

Brendan Verrier racked up 34 disposals, Toby Bairstow 33, Anthony Collica 33, James Laurino 28, Craig White 25, Matthew Gundry 24, Matthew Ah Siu 20, Lewis Harvey 19 and Ben Sokol 18.

Dylan Coulthard kicked two goals for East Fremantle with Jake Schleicher colleting 29 possessions and Dion Anthony 20.

COLTS RISING STARS
To start the day at the Claremont Showground, Peel Thunder's colts scored a thumping 15.18 (108) to 4.2 (26) victory over Claremont.

Noah Hura kicked four goals for the Thunder with Brett Milward also booting three and Jordan Adams two to go with his 22 possessions. Josh Schoenfeld also had 23 disposals, Hayden Davis 21, Alex Cohen 21 and Haydn Matthews 19.

Ashley Johnson kicked two of Claremont's four goals with Morgan Davies gathering 26 disposals, Aden Wilkins 22 and Ryan Murphy 21.

And in the colts at Steel Blue Oval, the reigning premiers Swan Districts beat Perth 13.10 (88) to 9.12 (66) with Brody Sutton kicking four goals for Swans and Lochie Huntley three. Jarrod Shorter also amassed 26 disposals and Josh Power 23.

Jackson Giles, Zachary Hill and David Smith all kicked two goals each for Perth with Cody Ninyette gathering 22 possessions, Corey Byrne 21, John Levien 20, Matthew Taylor 18, Kayle Phillips 17 and Chapman Jones 17.

The WA Day action began with the colts matches and at Medibank Stadium with East Perth beating West Perth 11.7 (73) to 8.11 (59).

Nathan Eaton and Blair Della Franca kicked two goals each for East Perth's colts with Stan Wright amassing 30 possessions, Mitch Dobson 30 and Connor De Campo 22.

Mitch Antonio kicked two goals to go with 19 possessions and seven marks for West Perth with Scott Nelson gathering 20 disposals, Riley Dolman 19, Mitch Walley 19, Tom O'Brien 19, Zac Guadagnin 18, Conal Lynch 18, Troy Manners 17 and Ewan Larmett.

Ruckman Ethan Hills worked hard for 17 touches and 19 hit outs also for the Falcons.

East Fremantle's colts started its day at ATOM Stadium impressively beating South Fremantle 13.6 (84) to 4.8 (32) with Luke Strnadica terrific for the Sharks kicking five goals.

Cameron Zurhaar and Stefan Little added two apiece for East Fremantle with Nick Menegola compiling 25 possessions, Fraser Perry 24, Zac Fowler 22, Leon Pearton 21, Tom Marshall 20, Kyle Baskerville 19, Jesse Adamini 19 and Nathan Trusso 18.

Alex Robinson kicked two of South Fremantle's four goals with Miles Barritt racking up 26 possessions, Jamie Foster 22, Kade Stewart 20, Joel McComb 18 and Brandon Colbung 16.