Round 12 Sunday McDonald's WAFL ResultsMonday, June 15, 2015 - 1:07 AM - by Chris Pike

THERE were three big WAFL matches to close Round 12 on Sunday with Peel Thunder winning to move into third spot, Claremont winning a fifth straight to move into fifth and Swan Districts scoring a crucial victory to stay in touch for a finals berth.

Following Subiaco's 9.12 (66) to 6.8 (44) victory over South Fremantle at Medibank Stadium on Saturday to see the Lions move three games clear on top of the ladder, the last three matches of the round all took place on Sunday afternoon.

Peel Thunder and East Perth did battle with the winner to consolidate a spot in the top-five and it was the Thunder who prevailed 17.12 (114) to 13.14 (92) at Bendigo Bank Stadium to move into third position.

East Fremantle had an eventful week with a coaching change and it couldn’t end it with a win with Swan Districts holding on in a thriller 12.7 (79) to 11.8 (74) at ATOM Stadium to celebrate the 150th WAFL game for versatile big man Tony Notte.

And then to close out the round, Claremont won a fifth straight match beating Perth 20.8 (128) to 13.6 (84) at Lathlain Park to reclaim the Pyke Cup and to celebrate the 100th appearance of stand-in captain Beau Maister.

Peel and East Perth came into the round in fourth and fifth position respectively, and both with 5-5 records so it was always set to be a fascinating contest, and it was a high quality affair right throughout the afternoon at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

East Perth got the jump on Peel kicking four of the last five goals of the first quarter to be 22 points up at quarter-time, but the Thunder got going in the second term with six goals to two to end up leading by as much as nine points, and be three points up at half-time.

The Royals again gained the ascendancy in the third term with four goals to two to turn a goal up, but it was the Thunder who finished full of running and with Leroy Jetta adding his third and fourth goals, Gerald Ugle a third, Zac Clarke his two and Craig Moller a third, the home side dominated.

Peel kicked seven goals to two in the last quarter to record the 22-point victory With Jetta leading the way in attack with four goals while Ugle added three, Moller three and big men Clarke and Jonathon Griffin two apiece while combining for 32 disposals, 10 marks and 58 hit outs.

Matt de Boer also racked up 33 possessions for Peel, Jacob Ballard 24, Connor Blakely 24, Brendon Jones 21, Mitch Gill 20 and Brady Grey 18. Paul Duffield had just 11 disposals after being dropped by Fremantle.

Rowen Powell kicked three goals for East Perth, two of which came in the last quarter, while ruckman Paul Johnson kicked two while having 18 touches, six marks and 27 hit outs up against Griffin and Clarke. Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls also booted two majors.

Co-captain Brendan Lee worked tirelessly for the Royals with 34 possessions while Kane Lucas racked up 30 disposals, Matt Rosa 27, Mark Hutchings 24, Freddie Clutterbuck 23, Mitch Fraser 23 and Garry Moss 20.

East Fremantle came into its clash with Swan Districts under Brad Dodd as coach following the departure of Steve Malaxos, but the Sharks were also without key players George Hampson, Bradd Dalziell, Andrew Stephen, Sam Read and Jack Perham.

Swans got the jump on them as well with a run of three consecutive goals through the middle part of the first quarter to lead by a game-high 16 points, and still by nine at quarter-time.

Sharks big men James Bristow and Rob Young combined for three goals in the second quarter and they did briefly hit the lead, but two goals to Matthew Jukes, another to Joel Houghton, Simon Donovan and milestone man Tony Notte saw Swans steady to lead by 14 points at the long break.

East Fremantle again hit the front briefly in the third quarter when Cameron Eardley goaled, but Swan Districts continued to have all the answers and Jukes' third, and Todd Banfield's second saw the visitors again lead by 11 points at the last change.

Debutant Fraser Perry kicked his second and third goals during the last term and on both occasions put East Fremantle in front by a point, but Swan Districts answered on both occasions through Ryan Davis and then Jukes to hold on for a five-point victory.

Jukes with four goals and Banfield two were the only multiple goal scorers for Swan Districts while Aaron Elari racked up 34 possessions, Adam Faulkner 28, Jacob Burnham 22, Matthew Rogers 22, Matt Riggio 22, Davis 21, Houghton 20 and ruckman Nathan Blakely 21 to go with 24 hit outs.

Perry and Young both kicked three goals for East Fremantle while Jamie McNamara racked up 34 possessions, Liam Anthony 31, Rory O'Brien 26, Danny Chartres 23 (11 marks), Eardley 21, Mark McGough 21 and Brock O'Brien 20.

And finally at Lathlain Park, Claremont and Perth met for the Pyke Cup and it was the Tigers who proved too good winning by four points to celebrate the 100th game of stand-in skipper Beau Maister who kicked three goals for the occasion including the last of the match fittingly.

It took just a minute for Kepler Bradley to get first goal of the afternoon for the Tigers but the Demons were up and about and got the next two.

Claremont was able to regain the lead by quarter-time, though, and continued to extend its advantage through the afternoon and really secure the win in the third quarter with nine goals to three to end up leading by as much as 52 points.

Jarryd Morton then put in a show in the last quarter for Perth kicking all four of his team's goals but Claremont answered with four more up the other end to end up winning by 44 points.

The Tigers have now won five straight matches since starting the season with five successive losses to now enter the top five for the first time this season.

Shane McAdam was the star up forward for Claremont kicking five goals from just seven kicks with Jack Bradshaw adding three, Maister three, Keifer Yu two and Bradley two.

Corey Yeo compiled 29 possessions for the Tigers, Haydn Busher 28, Tom Ledger 27, Oliver Tate 24, Ryan Neates 22 and Mark Seaby dominated the ruck with 22 touches, eight marks and 31 hit outs.

Jarryd Morton did all he could for Perth up against his old side with seven goals for the afternoon while hold older brother Mitch kicked two to go with 24 possessions.

Aidan Tropiano also picked up 31 disposals, Dene White 28, Liam McKenna 23, Jacob Payne 22, Jared Bell 20, Brett Wolfenden 20 and Michael Sinclair 20.

SUNDAY ROUND 12 MCDONALD'S WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
Subiaco 9.12 (66) defeated South Fremantle 6.8 (44)
Peel Thunder 17.12 (114) defeated East Perth 13.14 (92)
East Fremantle 11.8 (74) lost to Swan Districts 12.7 (79)
Perth 13.6 (84) lost to Claremont 20.8 (128)

RESERVES
Subiaco 7.12 (54) lost to South Fremantle 11.9 (75)
Peel Thunder 7.9 (51) lost to East Perth 23.9 (147)
East Fremantle 8.6 (54) lost to Swan Districts 15.12 (102)
Perth 13.7 (85) lost to Claremont 14.11 (95)

REDiMED COLTS
Subiaco 9.9 (63) lost to South Fremantle 10.8 (68)
Peel Thunder 11.10 (76) defeated East Perth 6.5 (41)
East Fremantle 12.12 (84) defeated Swan Districts 8.1 (49)
Perth 8.4 (52) lost to Claremont 12.13 (85)