Round 1 McDonald's WAFL ResultsSaturday, March 19, 2016 - 8:17 PM - by Chris Pike

SOUTH Fremantle, Subiaco, Claremont and East Fremantle all made winning starts to their 2016 WAFL seasons recording impressive Round 1 victories on Saturday.

The season began with all four matches on Saturday afternoon with the reigning premiers coming from behind to record four points while both preliminary finalists of 2015 lost with the two Fremantle clubs getting off to a positive start after both finished last year in disappointing fashion.

South Fremantle beat West Perth 14.14 (98) to 9.9 (63) at Fremantle Community Bank® Oval while East Fremantle downed Swan Districts 16.15 (111) to 9.8 (62) at ATOM Stadium, Subiaco defeated Peel Thunder 12.10 (82) to 10.14 (74) at Bendigo Bank Stadium and Claremont thumped East Perth 16.14 (110) to 5.4 (34) at Medibank Stadium.

The season began at the port with West Perth kicking the first two goals of 2016 courtesy of Jay van Berlo and Max Duffy. However, South Fremantle booted the next five and controlled the contest the rest of the way ending up winning by 35 points.

The margin was the exact same result as the Round 1 season-opener between the Bulldogs and Falcons at the same venue in 2015.

Ashton Hams starred in the midfield for South Fremantle with 34 possessions but he had plenty of support most notably from VFL recruit Shane Hockey who finished with 25 disposals on debut for the Bulldogs.

Brendan Verrier also had 29 disposals, Ryan Cook 26, Tim Kelly 24, Adam Guglielmana 23, Marlion Pickett 23, Dylan Main 20 and Adam McIntosh 20.

But it was perhaps the key position performances that was most pleasing for South Fremantle.

Josh Pullman has been a key forward his entire career but he played at full-back at Nick Rodda and not only shut him down, but had 13 possessions and 10 strong marks himself.

Blayne Wilson controlled the game at centre half-back for the Bulldogs finishing with 28 disposals and 10 marks.

Zac Strom provided a good target at centre half-forward with 16 touches, nine marks and two goals and deeper, Ben Saunders booted three majors and Mason Shaw two. Haiden Schloithe also chipped in with two in an impressive season-opener for South Fremantle.

West Perth's three standouts in a disappointing Round 1 were Aaron Black (26 possessions, two goals), Jay van Berlo (26 touches, one goal) and Andrew Strijk (24 disposals). Aidan Lynch also had 19 possessions and Trent Manzone 18.

Max Duffy kicked three goals in his first game for the Falcons with Michael Lourey adding two. 

Claremont spoiled the celebrations of East Perth co-captain Craig Wulff who played his 270th WAFL match be the all-time record holder at the Royals.

The Tigers were in control from the outset kicking the only six goals of the first quarter, the only four of the third term and then five more to three in the last to win by 76 points in a rematch of last year's elimination final won by East Perth.

Big man Darcy Cameron was impressive for Claremont up forward kicking four goals with Beau Maister adding three.

Tom Ledger finished with 25 possessions, Matthew Davies 23, Ryan Lim 22, Keifer Yu 20, Hugo Breakey 19, Jared Hardisty 19 and Ryan Neates 18.

It was a tough way to open the season for the Royals despite it being Wulff's record-breaking appearance and with them having 14 West Coast-listed players in their line-up.

Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Jack Redden, Jonathan Giles, Luke Partington and Dom Sheed were East Perth's goal kickers.

Mitch Fraser finished with 21 possessions for the Royals, Redden 20, Mark Hutchings 19, Steven Payne 19, Brant Colledge 19 and Nathan Blee 18.

Peel got off to a fast start at home to Subiaco on Saturday with its team featuring a record 18 Fremantle-listed players.

The Thunder led by 10 points at quarter-time and still by 16 at the main break, but the Lions got rolling in the second half with seven goals to three to come from behind to win by eight points to being their quest for a premiership hat-trick off to a winning start.

Subiaco might have lost Matt Boland, Shane Yarran and Chris Deluca from its premiership forward-line, but there is still plenty of talent there and Kyle Halligan had a day out to start 2016 kicking six goals from 21 possessions and seven marks.

Hamish Shepheard kicked two goals in his first game with the Lions while Clancy Wheeler also booted two.

Leigh Kitchin finished with 32 possessions for Subiaco while captain Kyal Horsley amassed 30 disposals, Chris Phelan 26, Wayde Twomey 21 and Brett Robinson 18.

Harley Bennell booted four goals from 23 possessions in a tune up to play with Fremantle in Round 1 of the AFL season. Lachie Weller (21 touches) and Zac Clarke (15 disposals, 35 hit outs) both kicked two goals apiece for Peel.

Clancee Pearce also gathered 32 possessions for the Thunder, Matt de Boer 26, Connor Blakely 25, Rory O'Brien 23 and Sam Collins 20.

East Fremantle has a new coach Rob Wiley and captain Jamie McNamara with the Sharks looking to make up for losing 12 of their last 13 games in 2015, and things got off to a perfect start with a 49-point win at home over Swan Districts.

The Sharks kicked four goals to one in the first quarter and despite having their lead trimmed to 14 points at the main break, they kicked away with nine goals to four in the second half.

James Bristow, Tim Bristow, Brett Peake and Jesse Crichton all kicked two goals apiece for East Fremantle.

Liam Anthony racked up 34 possessions for East Fremantle, Cameron Eardley 33, Sean Henson 31, Brock O'Brien 27, Tim Bristow 24, McNamara 22 and Dion Anthony 19 while Andrew Stokes compiled 30 hit outs in the ruck.

Aaron Elari worked tirelessly for Swan Districts to end up with 27 possessions and two goals while Matthew Rogers also booted two majors.

Graham Jetta gathered 28 disposals in his first game since 2014 with Swan Districts while Justin Simpson had 26 touches and six marks in his 150th appearances with the black-and-whites that will see him earn life membership. 

ROUND 1 McDONALD'S WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
South Fremantle 14.14 (98) defeated West Perth 9.9 (63)
East Perth 5.4 (34) lost to Claremont 16.14 (110)
Peel Thunder 10.14 (74) lost to Subiaco 12.10 (82)
East Fremantle 16.15 (111) defeated Swan Districts 9.8 (62)

RESERVES
South Fremantle 8.9 (57) defeated West Perth 7.10 (52)
East Perth 11.9 (75) defeated Claremont 7.6 (48)
Peel Thunder 12.15 (87) defeated Subiaco 10.4 (64)
East Fremantle 12.13 (85) lost to Swan Districts 14.13 (97)

COLTS
South Fremantle 21.9 (135) defeated West Perth 4.7 (31)
East Perth 9.6 (60) lost to Claremont 9.12 (66)
Peel Thunder 11.7 (73) defeated Subiaco 10.9 (69)
East Fremantle 6.13 (49) lost to Swan Districts 10.10 (70)