Round 5 McDonald's WAFL Wrap UpTuesday, April 19, 2016 - 1:21 AM - by Chris Pike

IT was Count Me In Round in the WAFL over the weekend with Subiaco and South Fremantle remaining unbeaten, Claremont striking back in style and East Perth scoring a second consecutive victory.

The round got underway on Saturday afternoon with South Fremantle scoring the biggest win of the WAFL season, beating Perth 21.10 (136) to 4.14 (38) at Lathlain Park.

East Perth won its second straight match with a dominant second half beating West Perth 14.16 (100) to 6.4 (40) while Claremont put in a stunningly accurate performance kicking 19.2 (116) to beat East Fremantle 11.11 (77) at ATOM Stadium.

Then on Sunday, Subiaco proved too good for Swan Districts winning 12.23 (95) to 8.8 (56) at Steel Blue Oval.

Following the round, Subiaco (5-0) and South Fremantle (4-0) are clear on top of the ladder with both so far unbeaten.

Claremont (2-2), East Fremantle (2-2), Peel Thunder (2-2) and East Perth (2-3) all have two wins apiece, and West Perth (1-4), Swan Districts (1-4) and Perth (1-3) have just the one win each.

Click here for the summary of Round 5 of the WAFL

TEAM OF THE WEEK (Team, times named)
BACK: Aaron Zucconi (P, 2), Josh Pullman (SF, 2), Joel Latham (S, 1)
HALF-BACK: Paddy Brophy (EP, 1), Blayne Wilson (SF, 3), Andrew Strijk (WP, 2)
CENTRE: Steven Payne (EP, 1), Jake Murphy (C, 1), Brendan Verrier (SF, 1)
HALF-FORWARD: Haiden Schloithe (SF, 2), Darcy Cameron (C, 2), Jack Richardson (C, 1)
FORWARD: George Hampson (EF, 1), Mason Shaw (SF, 1), Craig Wulff (EP, 2)
RUCK: Mitch Andrews (C, 1), Kane Lucas (EP, 1), Steven Verrier (SF, 1)
INTERCHANGE: Matt Riggio (SD, 1), Adam Cockie (S, 2), Patrick McGinnity (EP, 1), Brett Robinson (S, 3)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK – JOSH PULLMAN
Through necessity South Fremantle coach Todd Curley decided to try career forward Josh Pullman in defence to start the 2016 season and it's a move that could well be as important a factor as any in the Bulldogs' unbeaten start to the year.

With Dylan Ross returning to Claremont, Chris Luff unavailable to start the season and Zac Strom being banked on to fill the centre half-forward role, Pullman looked as the best potential option as a key defender for Curley.

The only problem was he had never played anywhere but forward before. As a strong option in attack, Pullman became a colts premiership captain at Swan Districts, and then his entire senior football career with Swans, in Queensland and the last two years with the Bulldogs.

He was a good marking target, hard worker and reliable shot on goal. But now in defence he has proved a revelation.

His ability to beat the opposition's best tall forwards has been tremendous in the opening four games, but not only that he has taken countless strong marks to repel the opposition attacks.

Pullman has worked with Blayne Wilson, Marlion Pickett, Adam McIntosh, Adam Guglielmana, Matthew Gundry and Jason Maskos to form a back-line that is only conceding an average of 47 points a game.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
East Perth trailed West Perth by five points just before half-time in Saturday's first derby of 2016. But from there the Royals kicked the next 10 goals to set up the 60-point win.

Craig Wulff might have been playing his 274th match for East Perth but he is showing no signs of slowing down again having a big influence on the result in his new role in the forward-line. The co-captain finished with 19 possessions, eight marks and three goals.

Jonathan Giles also kicked three goals for East Perth with Patrick McGinnity chipping in with two along with 27 possessions.

The Royals' midfield got further on top the longer the game went with Kane Lucas terrific with 29 possessions, seven tackles, six inside 50s and a goal. Julian Ameduri also gathered 28 touches, Luke Partington 23 and wingman Steven Payne 30 in his 99th appearance with East Perth.

East Perth's back-line was outstanding not only conceding just six goals but setting up play well with Tom Cole finishing with 27 possessions, Paddy Brophy 26, Nathan Blee 23, Mitch Fraser 22, Jamie Bennell 20 and Tom Barrass 19.

West Perth came into the game without Max Duffy, Luke Tedesco, Chris Keunen, Shane Nelson, Joe Morrow, Kody Manning, Laine Rasmussen, Matt Fowler, Brayden Antonio and Matt Guadagnin.

But Andrew Strijk did shrug off a leg injury to play and put in a huge performance with 35 possessions and eight marks.

Aaron Black also worked tirelessly continuing his outstanding start to the season as an inside midfielder with 29 disposals, six marks and two goals. He has now kicked eight goals in the five games of 2016.

Steven Browne continued his good form from the previous week as well collecting 26 touches to go with six marks.

Rohan Kerr also finished with 21 possessions, Trent Manzone 21, Joel Leeson 18, Steve Potente 18, Blake Wilhelm 18 and Aidan Lynch 18 along with 12 tackles.

With injuries comes the chance to blood some youth and Mitch Peirce made his debut on Saturday and did so impressively with 20 possessions after some strong form in the reserves having stepped up from the colts this year.

Ben King was also solid in defence in his first game since Round 23, 2014.

Claremont kicked 10.17 and lost by a goal to Swan Districts six days prior and the Tigers responded in style with a record-setting performance in front of the sticks against East Fremantle on Saturday.

Claremont kicked 10 goals without a miss in the first half and finished the day with 19 goals and two behinds in what is the most accurate WAFL performance in history where a team has had at least 15 shots.

That saw the Tigers beat the Sharks by 39 points with Jack Richardson booting four goals, Zac Langdon two, Beau Maister two, Darcy Cameron two and Oliver Tate two. Cameron also had 15 possessions and 10 marks.

Allowing Cameron to play the majority of the game in attack was the performance of dual premiership ruckman Mitch Andrews in the middle. He got the better of both Andrew Stokes and James Bristow finishing with 17 possessions and 35 hit outs.

Claremont's midfield had a good battle with their East Fremantle opponents with captain Jake Murphy leading the way for the Tigers with 27 possessions, six tackles and five inside-50 entries while Tom Ledger racked up another 28 touches.

Jye Bolton continued his impressive start to his WAFL career after moving from the VFL with 24 touches, seven marks and two goals.

Jared Hardisty also gathered 21 disposals for Claremont, Ryan Neates 21 and Ryan Lim 18.

George Hampson continued to work his way back to best form for East Fremantle on return this year from a knee reconstruction. He delivered his best game of 2016 with four goals from 16 possessions while laying six tackles. Brett Peake also kicked two goals.

Liam Anthony has been outstanding now in all four games to start the season for East Fremantle and had another 27 possessions and 10 tackles while Jesse Crichton had 22 touches and 13 tackles.

Captain Jamie McNamara returned and compiled 25 possessions with Cameron Eardley also gathering 25 disposals, Jayden Schofield 23, Tim Bristow 22 and Ryan Lester-Smith 19.

South Fremantle put together a scintillating patch of six goals in under nine minutes in the first quarter. And then a run nine consecutive goals in the second half to set up the 98-point win over Perth.

It was a dominant display by the Bulldogs who not only had 13 extra scoring shots, but 149 more possessions and 81 extra marks.

Perth did have one more inside-50 entry but it was the game style of South Fremantle that stood out with the Bulldogs patiently maintaining possession across half-back until the chance through the middle opened up.

When it did, they ran and carried the ball, and got it forward to their dangerous forwards where Mason Shaw took full advantage on Saturday with five goals from 21 possessions and nine marks.

The Bulldogs had plenty of goal scoring options with Ryan Cook, Ben Saunders, Blaine Johnson, Steven Edwards, Steven Verrier and Brendan Verrier all booting two apiece.

Haiden Schloithe was again outstanding largely across half-forward with 26 possessions, 11 marks, seven tackles and a goal.

Through the middle, the Bulldogs got on top despite Perth possessing Sandover Medallist Aidan Tropiano, and former AFL players Angus Graham and Clint Jones.

Brendan Verrier racked up 31 possessions for South Fremantle, Ashton Hams 30, Steven Verrier 30, Adam Guglielmana 23, Shane Hockey 21, Tim Kelly 20 and Matthew Gundry 20.

Josh Branchi was again impressive in the ruck with 17 touches and 25 hit outs.

Down back, South Fremantle was also outstanding led by Josh Pullman at full-back who had 20 possessions and 11 marks. Blayne Wilson also finished with 29 disposals and 12 marks at centre half-back while Marlion Pickett was brilliant when he needed to be and had 18 touches.

It was a tough day for Perth scoring just four goals and 14 behinds. Combined with last week's 4.19 against Subiaco and the Demons have not given themselves a chance of staying in the game against the two unbeaten teams kicking a combined 8.33.

Aaron Zucconi did well in the back-line for Perth keeping Ben Saunders to three kicks and two goals for South Fremantle. Michael Sinclair also did well having to play undersized at centre half-back finishing with 19 possessions and six marks.

Then in the middle, Julian Jacobs finished with 31 possessions, Clint Jones 29 and Aidan Tropiano 22.

Swans fought bravely all afternoon and were buoyed by a stirring come from behind win over Claremont last Sunday, but the Lions had too many weapons in the end and probably should have iced the game earlier had it not been for kicking 23 behinds.

Clancy Wheeler, Hamish Shepheard, Adam Cockie and Robinson all kicked two goals each for Subiaco. But Kyle Halligan booted five behinds, Wheeler four, Ben Sokol three and Shepheard two.

Wheeler worked hard at centre half-forward not only kicking 2.4 but having 20 disposals and five marks.

Lachlan Delahunty might have been giving up size in the ruck for Subiaco and might have lost the hit outs, but he was the standout big man on the ground with 24 possessions, six marks, 17 hit outs and six inside-50 entries.

Subiaco's midfield also worked its way on top of despite Leigh Kitchin being well held by Swans.

Captain Kyal Horsley collected 26 possessions while Chris Phelan finished with 26 disposals, Robinson 24, Cockie 22, Matt Bogensperger 22 and Craig Hoskins 18.

The Lions' back-line was strong as well with Declan Jackson doing well holding Ricky Cary goalless while Jordan Lockyer had a good battle with Tony Notte.

Joel Latham was given his usual defensive role for Subiaco and did well limiting the influence of Aaron Elari for Swans.

Matt Riggio worked tremendously hard in the midfield for the black-and-whites finishing with 34 possessions, nine marks and seven inside-50 entries.

Adam Faulkner also gathered 23 disposals for Swans, Elari 22, Graham Jetta 22, Freddie Clutterbuck 22 and Jacob Burnham 22.

Justin Simpson returned from a hamstring injury and spent time at both ends of the ground finishing with 26 touches, eight marks and two goals.

Matthew Jukes was dangerous in the forward-line for the black-and-whites kicking three goals.

Tom Smirk was given the defensive forward role again this week after doing well on Claremont's Matthew Davies. This time he held Subiaco's' Wayde Twomey to seven first half possessions. Twomey then went forward in the second half but Smirk still did a good job.

Swans' day was made tougher in the first quarter with an ankle injury to Jarrad Blight. Cary also hurt his shoulder in the final term.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
The reserves started derby day at Medibank Stadium with East Perth beating West Perth 14.15 (99) to 12.5 (77).

Jake Jones kicked three goals for East Perth, Jordan Snadden two, Alex Ridley two and Malcolm Karpany two.

Shayne Hille compiled another 26 disposals for the Royals, Tom Omodei 25, Karpany 19, Daniel Perkins 18 and Tom Hodgson 17. Scott Jones had 44 hit outs.

Corey Chalmers put his hand up for his first league game of the season with 36 possessions for West Perth while Dean Munns gathered 25 disposals (14 tackles) and Scott Nelson 25.

Jordan Mills and Kaidyn Fullgrabe kicked three goals each for West Perth, and Ben Mountford and Matt Johnson two. Michael Ashfield worked hard in the ruck for 39 hit outs.

Then at ATOM Stadium, East Fremantle held on to beat Claremont 11.16 (82) to 11.7 (73) despite four goals to one in the last quarter from the Tigers.

Brandon Ellis kicked four goals for the Sharks and Adrian Ricciardello two while Jesse Adamini racked up 28 possessions, Miles Franklin 22, Jacob Green 21, Jack Bridgland 21 and Aaron Holmes 18. Jack Fletcher had 32 hit outs in the ruck.

Haydn Busher pressed his name forward again for a recall with Claremont after 25 possessions, 11 marks and four goals with Ashley Fitzgerald and Eddie Simpson adding two goals each.

Alexander Manuel also had 26 disposals for the Tigers, Tom Shanahan 25 and Harry Sinclair 18.

South Fremantle improved to 4-0 coming off last year's premiership with a 15.9 (99) to 9.11 (65) victory at Lathlain Park.

Brandon Donaldson kicked three goals for the Bulldogs, Shaun Bewick two and Tim Stewart two while racking up 30 and 27 possessions respectively and combining for 22 marks.

James Laurino gathered 26 disposals for South Fremantle, Jacob Dragovich 24, Jesse Mirco 21 and Jakeb Tartaglia but it was Jake Florenca who had the day to remember with 39 possessions and 10 marks.

Brock Higgins also made a successful return and was particularly dominant up forward in the third quarter. He finished with 16 possessions, seven marks, 11 hit outs, six inside-50 entries and two goals.

Kristian Cary kicked two goals for Perth while Lennon Marlin gathered 24 possessions, Aaron Hitchcock 20, Cody Leggett 19, Kurtis Chester 19, Kieran Hug 18 and Mitch Browne 17.

And on Sunday, Subiaco recorded a 13.14 (92) to 8.5 (53) victory over Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval.

Simon Moore, Dylan Clarke, Mitch McPhee and Liam Ryan kicked two goals each for Subiaco.

Moore also racked up 26 disposals for the Lions, Rhys Waters 24, Chris Bryan 19, Braden Fimmano 18, Dylan Clarke 18 and Jordan Bestry finished with 25 hit outs in the ruck.

Brody Sutton could be called upon to give Swans' more fire power following an impressive showing in the reserves with 18 possessions, eight marks and three goals. Tim Yorkshire also booted two majors.

Jesse Turner picked up 26 disposals for Swan Districts, Logan Hughes 26, Ben Whitsed 23, Ethan Maguire 21, Josh Power 19 and Warrick Wilson 19.

REDiMED COLTS RISING STARS
The RediMed Colts action got underway on Saturday at ATOM Stadium with Claremont beating East Fremantle 13.14 (92) to 9.7 (61).

Chris Oakley and Caiden Curtin kicked three goals each for Claremont with Dylan Wallam and Jake Waterman booting two apiece.

Sam Petrevski-Seton racked up 28 possessions for the Tigers, Josh Bennett 21, Bailey Banfield 21, Jacob Sideris 17 and Keanu Shandley 17. Jeremy Goddard had 11 touches and 35 hit outs in the ruck.

Samuel Lewis kicked three goals for East Fremantle and Dylan Campbell two with Corey Holmes gathering 18 possessions, Matthew Burton 16 and Leon Pearton 16.

The colts started the day at Lathlain Park with Perth handing South Fremantle its only defeat of the season in any grade to date, winning 13.12 (90) to 9.5 (59).

James Bereyne kicked four goals for Perth with Cody Ninyette, Josh Burke and Cody Kickett booting two apiece.

Quinton Narkle amassed 25 possessions for the Demons, John Levien 23, Chris Leonard 22, Brodey Eades 22, Jayden Johnstone 20 and Arnold Punch 19.

Mitch Dzelebdzic kicked three goals for the Bulldogs and Antionne Forrest-Yarran two while Dylan Brown gathered 24 possessions, Deng Maguang 20, Kyle Russell 19 and Zane Sumich 18. Tim English had 14 touches and 25 hit outs in the ruck.

And then in the colts on Saturday evening, it was a tough night for West Perth with East Perth winning 20.19 (139) to 8.5 (53) at Medibank Stadium.

Sam Powell-Pepper was outstanding for East Perth with 25 possessions and five goals with Harry Blanch, Ethan Christofis, Christian Ameduri and Stan Wright all kicked two each. Rory Kendell kicked three goals.

Wright also amassed 29 possessions for the Royals, Alex Di Placido 21, Blanch 20, Nelson Waite 20, Ameduri 19 and Mitch Dobson 18.

Hunter Onn, Jack Porter and Oscar Allen kicked two goals apiece for West Perth.

Liam Baker compiled 30 possessions for the Falcons, Josh Rotham 25 and Brody Zanon 23.

The action for Sunday began at Steel Blue Oval with the colts with Swan Districts beating Subiaco 14.13 (97) to 4.4 (28) with the Lions managing just one goal to Swans' eight in the first half.

Lochie Huntley kicked three goals for Swans, Thomas Whittle two and Taryce Stewart two.

Josh Cipro collected 25 possessions for the black-and-whites, John Shaw 19, Tristen Raynor 19 and Tobe Watson 18.

Aaron Breman, Jye Harris, Fraser Foley and Nicholas Baroni were the goal scorers for Subiaco while Jacob Miller finished with 28 possessions, McKenzie Lawrence 18 (10 tackles) and David Purser 18.