Round 17 McDonald's WAFL Wrap UpWednesday, July 22, 2015 - 11:42 AM - by Chris Pike

AFTER a big weekend of WAFL action across Saturday and Sunday afternoon for Round 17, the only thing settled was that seven teams are still in the finals race for 2015 with Peel Thunder, Swan Districts, South Fremantle and East Perth all recording wins.

The action began on Saturday afternoon with Peel Thunder beating Claremont 13.11 (89) to 9.13 (67) at the Showground, East Perth defeating Perth 13.9 (87) to 9.13 (67) at Medibank Stadium and Swan Districts kicking the last two goals to beat West Perth 9.11 (65) to 8.15 (63) at Steel Blue Oval.

And finally on Sunday, South Fremantle kicked the first four goals of the last quarter to beat East Fremantle 10.12 (72) to 9.10 (64) at ATOM Stadium.

The weekend's results mean that Subiaco (12-2) remains clear on top of the WAFL ladder but little separates teams from second through seventh.

West Perth (9-5) remains second just ahead of Peel Thunder (9-6) with Swan Districts (8-7) and South Fremantle (8-7) rounding out the top five but Claremont (7-7) and East Perth (7-8) aren’t far behind.

East Fremantle (5-10) and Perth (1-14) have now lost eight and 10 games straight respectively.

Click here for the summary of Round 17 of the WAFL 

TEAM OF THE WEEK
BACK: Tom Barrass (EP), Tanner Smith (PT), Andrew Stephen (EF)
HALF-BACK: Garry Moss (EP), Tony Notte (SD), Kyle Hams (SF)
CENTRE: Ed Langdon (PT), Shane Nelson (WP), Ashton Hams (SF)
HALF-FORWARD: Boston Williamson (EF), Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls (EP), Callum Ah Chee (SF)
FORWARD: Brock O'Brien (EF), Kepler Bradley (C), Rudy Riddoch (SD)
RUCK: Paul Johnson (EP), Clancee Pearce (PT), Matt Riggio (SD)
INTERCHANGE: Jesse Turner (SD), Warrick Wilson (SD), Ethan Hughes (PT), Aidan Tropiano (P)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Garry Moss has had a horror run of injuries in recent seasons and has been used in a variety of different roles at East Perth ever since he returned from Hawthorn in 2011, but he is now playing some of the best and most consistent football of his career.

A variety of injuries have meant that Moss played just 10 games in 2013 and six in 2014 which meant he missed both of East Perth's grand final appearances the last two years, but he has now settled perfectly into a role across half-back given to him by coach Brian Dawson in 2015.

The 27-year-old has always been one of the most skilful and creative players in the competition on his left foot, and most of his career has seen him used that as a forward with stints in the midfield, but now the defensive role appears suited to him perfectly.

Moss has been setting up play tremendously out of defence for East Perth this season, has improved his defensive game on some opposition dangerous small forwards as well, and again on Saturday he was just about best on ground with his 31 possessions and 12 marks in the win over Perth.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
Swan Districts got a measure of revenge for losing to West Perth earlier in the season after leading by 26 points at the 22-minute mark of the last quarter by trailing all afternoon on Saturday at Steel Blue Oval, but staying in touch and then winning after booting the final two goals.

Rudy Riddoch stepped up in the forward-line for Swans and kicked one of those last two goals to give him three majors for the afternoon to go with 18 possessions. Joel Houghton kicked the other to give him two goals for the day as well.

Matt Riggio was terrific in the midfield for the black-and-whites with 27 possessions while Ryan Davis continued his stunning season with 19 disposals, 11 tackles, nine marks and a goal.

Then there were some youngsters who came up big for Swans with Jesse Turner finishing with 23 possessions in his second league game and Warrick Wilson 22 touches, six marks and five inside 50s in just his seventh match.

Swans' back-line stood up well also led by Tony Notte at centre half-back who finished with 14 possessions and eight marks while Nathan Broad had 19 possessions and Jacob Burnham 18.

Michael Lourey kicked two goals or West Perth from 13 possessions and five marks, and only the siren cost him a sixth mark and a chance at kicking the match-winning goal.

Kris Shannon also booted two goals for the Falcons before injuring a hamstring that now looks set to sideline him for up to a month.

Shane Nelson continued his remarkable form this season in the midfield for West Perth racking up another 33 possessions while the man he was runner-up to in last year's Sandover Medal count Aaron Black compiled 26 disposals and 10 marks in his 99th game for the Falcons.

Trent Manzone returned to the league side and worked hard for West Perth racking up 23 possessions while Jay van Berlo had 18 touches to go with six marks, three tackles and three inside-50 entries.

West Perth's back-line again held up well led by young key position players Marcus Adams (17 possessions, eight marks) and Nick Rodda (18 disposals, seven marks). 

Peel got off to a fast start with the only three goals of the first quarter, and finished strongly kicking six goals to one in the last to beat Claremont by 22 points at the Showground with the Thunder winning their ninth game in a season for the first time and to be on target to play finals.

Clancee Pearce, Zac Clarke, Paul Duffield and Tendai Mzungu were all dropped back from Fremantle with a point to prove that they belong back in the Dockers line-up, and they all had a significant impact in the win.

Pearce led the way with a massive game with 40 possessions, 11 marks, six inside 50s and a goal while Clarke also provided a good presence with 17 disposals, nine marks, 18 hit outs and two goals.

Duffield also played well for 23 touches, seven marks and a goal with Mzungu working hard for his 17 possessions.

They were far from the only strong performers for Peel, though, with the back-line held up well by Tanner Smith (22 possessions, nine marks), Ethan Hughes (23 disposals, eight marks), Josh Bootsma (19 touches, five marks), Josh Mathers (21 possessions, seven marks) and the returning Zac Dawson (10 touches).

A host of players through the midfield racked up plenty of the ball as well with Ed Langdon gathering another 31 possessions, Connor Blakely 30 (two goals), Jacob Ballard 28, Brendon Jones 25 and Leroy Jetta 22 while Jack Hannath and Gerald Ugle also kicked two goals apiece.

Kepler Bradley loomed as a potential match-winner for Claremont up forward up against the team that he played with last year while still on Fremantle's list.

The big man ended up with four goals from 15 possessions and seven marks while also up forward, Matthew Palfrey kicked three goals for the Tigers and Beau Maister worked hard for 16 touches, 13 marks and a goal.

Ryan Neates continued his terrific ball-winning form for Claremont racking up another 31 possessions while Tom Ledger gathered 26 disposals to go with 11 marks and six entries inside the forward 50.

Big-bodied midfielder Haydn Busher also did well with 23 touches while Francis Watson had 22 possessions, Corey Yeo 21, Oliver Tate 21, Matthew Davies 19 and Ian Richardson 18.

Two-time premiership player Tom Swift also did well with 21 possessions and six marks in his first league game for Claremont since the 2012 grand final win over East Fremantle.

East Perth took three quarters to shake off Perth on Saturday, but the Royals kicked five goals to two in the last term to end up winning by 20 points to remain right in contention for a fourth straight finals appearance.

 

Kyle Anderson again stepped up in the forward-line for East Perth in the second time this season against Perth with the usual defender kicking three goals from 14 possessions and eight marks. He has now kicked 10 of his 12 career goals in the two matches against the Demons this year.

Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls also stepped up with one of the best performances all-round of his career mostly across the half-forward line finishing the day with 24 possessions, 11 marks, six inside-50 entries and three goals.

East Perth's big men also did well with Paul Johnson ending up with 15 possessions and 38 hit outs, and Fraser McInnes 18 disposals, eight marks, 19 hit outs and two goals.

Co-captain Craig Wulff might have barely touched it in the second and third quarters, but had massive first and last terms to end the game with 20 possessions, 11 marks and two goals for the Royals.

Kane Lucas worked hard in the midfield racking up 30 disposals while Steven Payne had 21 touches, Brendan Lee 20 and Mitch Fraser 20.

East Perth's back-line was strong led by Tom Barrass who was again outstanding with his spoiling and contested marking. He had 13 possessions and nine marks while Paddy Brophy provided great run for the Royals with 20 touches and a goal while Jamie Bennell finished with 21 disposals, Nathan Blee 21 and Jackson Nelson 19.

Despite being just 17 years of age, Marshall Jones provided a good option in attack for Perth kicking three goals while Brennan Stack was dangerous booting two goals from 13 disposals and nine marks, and Callum Walley took his chances kicking two goals.

Aidan Tropiano continued his remarkable season for Perth with another 34 possessions in the midfield while Liam McKenna compiled 30 disposals, Brett Wolfenden 25, Mitch Morton 24, Jarryd Morton 23, Michael Sinclair 22, Jacob Payne 22 and Brent Latch 20 in the back-line.

South Fremantle's forward-line looked vastly more potent than in previous weeks with the return from injury of Josh Pullman, and injection of debutant Ah Chee and usual ruckman Brock Higgins.

 

Pullman provided a strong presence and took his chances kicking three goals as did Ah Chee in his first game of league football. He nailed his first in the opening quarter before then staying cool under pressure in the last term booting two crucial goals from tight angles.

Higgins might not have kicked a goal, but he provided a strong target up forward taking seven marks to go with nine possessions and 15 hit outs.

With Pullman and Higgins up forward, it allowed South Fremantle to use James Sellar in defence to good effect against East Fremantle's talls while Chris Luff also did well and Blayne Wilson was back to his best setting up play out of the back-line with 25 possessions.

Ashton and Kyle Hams both had massive afternoons for the Bulldogs with the former finishing with 37 possessions, nine marks, six inside 50s and four tackles, and the latter 32 disposals, eight marks, five tackles, two inside-50 entries and a rare goal.

Haiden Schloithe spent more time in the midfield for the first time since returning from his ankle injury to have 27 possessions, eight marks, five tackles and five inside-50 entries as well.

 

Tim Kelly also collected 22 touches for the Bulldogs, Brendan Verrier 22 and Jacob Martinez 20.

Craig White also worked hard across half-forward leading hard up the ground and then finding targets inside-50 from some precise kicking in his 14 possessions, eight marks and five inside 50s.

Brock O'Brien loomed as the potential match-winner for East Fremantle playing at full-forward. He finished with four goals, four behinds, 21 possessions and eight marks but in the end he just didn’t get enough support with no other Sharks player able to score multiple goals.

East Fremantle's midfield did again work hard led by Liam Anthony who finished with 35 possessions, seven inside-50 entries, six marks and four tackles.

 

Boston Williamson worked hard for the Sharks with 25 disposals, eight marks, five inside 50s and a goal with Jamie McNamara finishing with 24 touches, captain Rory O'Brien 24, Ryan Lester-Smith 23, Mitch Boyle 20 and Matthew Bannister 15 and a goal on debut.

Andrew Stephen did well in defence with 23 possessions and had a fascinating battle with Cory Dell'Olio once again who had 18 touches and a goal for South Fremantle.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
Swan Districts' reserves also continued their strong recent form beating West Perth at Steel Blue Oval 12.12 (84) to 9.15 (69).

Jake Nuich kicked four goals from 16 possessions and eight marks for Swan Districts with Dylan Nelson also booting three majors as did Steven Wityk.

Aaron Elari racked up 34 possessions for Swans on return from injury while David McKay was again prolific with 37 disposals, Jacob Coniglio 25, Albert Dean 19 and Ben Whitsed 19.

 

Tyson Moulton and Callum Papertalk kicked two goals apiece for West Perth with Kaidyn Fullgrabe gathering 24 possessions, Clint Hinchcliffe 24, Blake Wilhelm 23, Broderick Walton 21, Dean Munns 20, James Batterham 18 and Corey Chalmers 17 to go with nine inside-50 entries and a goal.

Claremont's reserves beat Peel Thunder 18.11 (119) to 4.6 (30) at the Showground on Saturday with captain Jake Murphy showing that he's ready to come back into the league after his second game on return from injury with 26 possessions, six tackles and a goal.

Shane McAdam and Lawrence Evans both kicked three goals for the Tigers with Alexander Manuel, Eddie Simpson, Sam Bevan and Darcy Cameron all adding two majors while Cameron also had 15 possessions, eight marks and 54 hit outs.

Declan Mountford also gathered 25 possessions for Claremont, Harrison McCracken 24, Aden Wilkins 22, Steven Edwards 21, Isaac Baum 20, Bailey Rogers 19 and Tom Willett 19.

Jamahl Mulholland kicked two of Peel's four goals while Corey Griggs gathered 23 possessions, Corey Morris 23 (12 tackles), Harrison Tyler 22, Brennan Gillam 21 and Kyle Shanahan 18 (seven tackles).

East Perth's reserves beat Perth 13.12 (90) to 8.7 (55) at Medibank Stadium with Tom Omodei kicking three goals to go with 25 possessions, nine marks and six inside 50s for the Royals.

Mitch Howlett also had 32 touches and two goals with Tom Shanahan gathering 27 disposals, Damian Lee 26, Marty Zambotto 24, Rowen Powell 21 and Tom Hodgson 21.

Kester Decke, Clayton Giblett and Julian Ameduri all kicked two goals while Scott Lycett had 12 touches and 30 hit outs it three quarters as he searches for form and fitness.

Kurtis Chester and Lennon Marlin kicked two goals each for Perth while Ashley Boyes gathered 32 possessions, Hayden Tanner 29 and Kodie Fleay 19.

South Fremantle's reserves remain clear on top of the ladder beating East Fremantle 18.13 (121) to 7.7 (49) on the back of holding the Sharks to just the one point the entire second half while the Bulldogs piled on nine goals for the 72-point victory.

John Sgherza kicked four goals for the Bulldogs from 19 disposals while Anthony Collica three goals from 30 possessions.

Noah Strom kicked two goals as well for the Bulldogs as did Tim Stewart and Jacob Dragovich.

Bailey Matera also finished with 30 disposals, Stewart 23, Matthew Ah Siu 23, Dragovich 20, Dylan Ross 19 (eight marks), Zac Strom 19, James Laurino 19, Kade Stewart 17 and Nick Borovac 17.

 

Tom Bowey kicked two goals for East Fremantle with Jake Schleicher racking up 34 possessions, Aaron Holmes 22, Tim Bristow 22, Dion Anthony 20, Jack Perham 18 and Jack Cripps 16.

REDiMED COLTS RISING STARS
Swan Districts opened their day of winning in all three grades at Steel Blue Oval against West Perth with a 14.8 (92) to 6.4 (40) victory in the colts.

Chad Daniels kicked five goals for Swan Districts with Brayden Hackett also booting three and Jesse Glass-McCasker two while Josh Cipro racked up 32 possessions.

Alphonse Charlie kicked two goals from five kicks for West Perth with Josh Rotham gathering 21 possessions, Scott Nelson 21, Conal Lynch 21, Liam Baker 20, Joel Horgan 16 and Ben Mountford 15.

Peel Thunder beat Claremont's colts when they met back on Wednesday night at Bendigo Bank Stadium, with the Thunder winning 16.10 (106) to 5.6 (36).

Brett Milward booted seven goals for Peel with Jordan Adams, Josh Schoenfeld and Calvin Thorne kicking two apiece while Haydn Matthews gathered 27 disposals, Noah Hura 24, Hayden Davis 22, Michael Humble 21 and Schoenfeld 21.

Jake Waterman kicked two goals from 20 possessions and eight marks for Claremont while Morgan Davies gathered 21 disposals and Cameron Wilson 18.

Perth's colts started the day at Medibank Stadium beating East Perth 17.15 (117) to 6.11 (47) with Corey Byrne kicking four goals for the Demons, Jackson Giles three, James Bereyne three and Cody Ninyette two.

Zac Fisher had 31 possessions for Perth, John Levien 28, Byrne 24 and Arnold Punch 23.

Jake Dugan and Stan Wright kicked two goals each for East Perth with Connor De Campo compiling 25 possessions.

South Fremantle's colts kicked five goals to nil in the first before the Sharks dominated the second half with eight goals to two to end up winning 13.9 (87) to 10.9 (69) to start the final derby day of the year at ATOM Stadium on Sunday.

Luke Strnadica kicked three goals for East Fremantle with Sam Lewis and Fraser Perry kicking two apiece.

Jordan Snadden collected 22 possessions for the Sharks while Peter Delaney gathered 20 disposals, Oliver Parish 19, James Harrold 16, Jesse Adamini 15 and Cameron Zurhaar 15.

Brandon Donaldson kicked four goals for South Fremantle while Jesse Mudge booted three.

Miles Barritt racked up 20 possessions for the Bulldogs while Jack McMaster collected 18 disposals, Jesse Mudge 18, Abel Brown 16, Jake Florenca 16 and Jarrad Lachlan 15.