WAFL Team of the Week – Round 19Tuesday, August 30, 2022 - 5:45 PM - by Chris Pike

IT was a massive second last round of the 2022 WAFL season and once again plenty of players across the 10 teams in the five matches put their hands up for spots in the Team of the Week for Round 19.

Round 19 of the 2022 WAFL season got underway on Saturday afternoon with East Fremantle holding Claremont goalless in the first half on the way to a thumping and important 11.17 (83) to 5.8 (38) victory.

Subiaco then celebrated the retirement of five-time premiership hero Lachlan Delahunty and the 150th game of captain Leigh Kitchin by beating Perth 14.14 (98) to 4.11 (35) at Leederville Oval.

Peel Thunder remained in fifth position on the WAFL ladder as a result of a dominant 16.9 (105) to 3.14 (32) win against the West Coast Eagles at Mandurah's Lane Group Stadium.

The last game to take place in Round 19 on Saturday saw Swan Districts keep its finals prospects alive by finishing strongly to defeat the league-leading West Perth 9.5 (59) to 6.11 (47) at Steel Blue Oval.

The round then wrapped up on Sunday afternoon at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with South Fremantle beating East Perth 12.10 (82) to 11.7 (73).

There were several ruckmen putting their hands up for a spot in the Team of the Week for Round 19 including Oliver Eastland, Matthew Germs, Lachlan Delahunty, Lloyd Meek and Scott Jones.

Down back Cam Eardley, Matthew Jupp, Jack Lewsey, Callan England, Anthony Davis, Brandon Erceg, Jackson Beck, Will Collins, Zac Guadagnin, Drew Rohde, Jakob Atkinson, Kasey Nicholas, Matt Taylor, Nathan Wilson, Ty Anderson, Steve Edwards, Jordan Boullineau, Chad Pearson, Toby McQuilkin and Kye Willcocks all put in strong showings in Round 19.

Up forward, Luke English, Jonathon Marsh, Tom Edwards, Keegan Knott, Mitch Dobson, Angus Dewar, Kristian Cary, Blair Bell, Mason Shaw and Sam Van Diemen all did enough to put themselves in calculation for the Team of the Week as well.

There was once again plenty of on-ballers standing up including those on the inside Milan Murdock, Kyle Baskerville, Josh Schoenfeld, Jared Hardisty, Sam Fisher, Mitch Peirce, Shane Nelson, Leigh Kitchin, Liam Hickmott, Regan Clarke, Mitch Crowden, Greg Clark, Tom Blechynden, Angus Schumacher and Hamish Brayshaw.

There were then those on those outside Ryan Lester-Smith, Jesse Turner, Stefan Giro, Chad Harris, Haydn Busher, Ethan Hughes, Patrick Naish, Kyle Hamersley and Angus Scott who put in strong showings.

Other midfielders to impress were Aidan Clarke, Elijah Hewett, Luke Meadows, Mark Hutchings, Kieran Hug, Neil Erasmus, Darcy Tucker, Xavier O'Neill, Haiden Schloithe, Brendon Ah Chee and Stan Wright.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND – MILAN MURDOCK (EAST FREMANTLE)

He has turned himself into the mainstay in-and-under warrior for the East Fremantle midfield and he produced another standout performance in Saturday's big win against Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Milan Murdock came right through the ranks at East Fremantle before making his debut in 2018 and slowly but surely he has secured his place in the team, broke into the midfield and now has become one of the key players in the Sharks' outfit.

Murdock only managed four matches in 2021, but he has bounced back in supremely impressive fashion in 2022 and has put together a tremendous season.

He might only be short of stature, but he's big on heart and he's one of those dogged inside midfielders who love the physical contest, love fighting for the contested ball and getting in and under to win the ball to get it out to his teammates.

That was all on show once again on Saturday when he finished with 28 possessions, 11 tackles, eight inside-50 entries and three marks while earning nine free-kicks as he was rewarded for his dogged attitude.

The 22-year-old has now played 44 matches for the Sharks and he's going to be a key part of their midfield as they return to finals action in 2022 in two weeks' time for the first time since 2014.
 

Players of the Round
Round 1 – Jake Florenca (South Fremantle)
Round 2 – Ryan Lim (Claremont)
Round 3 – Luke Meadows (West Perth)
Round 4 – Jesse Turner (Swan Districts)
Round 5 – Leigh Kitchin (Subiaco)
Round 6 – Blair Bell (Peel Thunder)
Round 7 – Oliver Eastland (Claremont)
Round 8 – Matthew Jupp (East Fremantle)
Round 9 – Toby McQuilkin (South Fremantle)
Round 10 – Aaron Black (West Perth) 
Round 12 – Blaine Boekhorst (East Fremantle)
Round 13 – Noah Strom (South Fremantle)
Round 14 – Brandon Erceg (Swan Districts)
Round 15 – Darcy Tucker (Peel Thunder)
Round 16 – Stefan Giro (Subiaco)    
Round 17 – Tyron Smallwood (Claremont)
Round 18 – Regan Clarke (Perth) 
Round 19 – Milan Murdock (East Fremantle)

WAFL TEAM OF THE WEEK – ROUND 19
BACK: Steve Edwards (SF), Brandon Erceg (SD), Zac Guadagnin (WP)    
HALF-BACK: Cam Eardley (EF), Kasey Nicholas (P), Nathan Wilson (PT)
CENTRE: Luke Meadows (WP), Tom Blechynden (SF), Neil Erasmus (PT)
HALF-FORWARD: Liam Hickmott (S), Mason Shaw (SF), Haiden Schloithe (SF)
FORWARD: Luke English (EF), Jonathon Marsh (EF), Keegan Knott (WP)
RUCK: Lloyd Meek (PT), Milan Murdock (EF), Leigh Kitchin (S)
INTERCHANGE: Scott Jones (EP), Jordan Boullineau (SF), Angus Schumacher (EP), Jesse Turner (SD)

BACK POCKET – STEVE EDWARDS (South Fremantle)
Having not played a league game since Round 8 last year, he was back at South Fremantle for a couple of reserves games and his quality was too hard to ignore to break back into the game last week against Subiaco, and he went up a gear in Sunday's win against East Perth. Showed his creativity and class coming out of the back-line for the Bulldogs and finished with 18 touches and six marks in the 68th game of his career.

FULL-BACK – BRANDON ERCEG (Swan Districts)
What a game the Swan Districts' co-captain produced in Saturday's must-win encounter with the league-leading West Perth at Steel Blue Oval. Not only was he instrumental in helping hold Falcons key targets Anton Hamp and Tyler Keitel goalless for the day, but his performance of 32 possessions and 17 marks was huge in the eventual win that keeps his team in the finals race.

BACK POCKET – ZAC GUADAGNIN (West Perth)
Has been sorely missed through the middle part of the season by West Perth, but is back now in time for the finals and showed his quality on Saturday despite the eventual loss to Swan Districts. He was given the job on Jesse Palmer and kept him to three kicks for the day even though he did kick two goals in the second quarter. He did a terrific job and also had 19 touches, four marks and three tackles.

HALF-BACK FLANK – CAM EARDLEY (East Fremantle)
What a season the 145-game veteran continues to have controlling the action and setting up play off half-back for East Fremantle. Delivered another commanding performance in Saturday's crucial win against Claremont and earned a spot in the Team of the Week for a ninth time as a result by racking up 33 possessions and eight marks.

CENTRE HALF-BACK – KASEY NICHOLAS (Perth)
Perth's defence had to deal with 58 inside-50 entries from Subiaco in Saturday's eventual 63-point loss and while they did concede 14 goals, only four came from spearheads Ben Sokol and Ryan Borchet, and he stepped up strongly once more for the Demons to lead the charge. He continued his career-best season to earn a spot in the Team of the Week a fifth time after finishing with 18 touches, seven marks and three tackles.

HALF-BACK FLANK – NATHAN WILSON (Peel Thunder)
He couldn’t be doing any more to try and break back into the Fremantle team for the AFL finals, but it's working to Peel's benefit right now as he continues to use his class and experience to give the Thunder great drive off half-back. He was at his creative best in Saturday's win against West Coast with 32 touches, four inside-50 entries and three marks.

WING – LUKE MEADOWS (West Perth)
The West Perth powerhouse midfielder did all he could once again to try and lift his team to a win that would wrap up the minor premiership. It wasn’t quite to be against Swan Districts but he was terrific to earn a spot in the Team of the Week for a sixth time in 2022 on the back of 32 disposals, six inside 50s, five tackles and four marks.

CENTRE – TOM BLECHYNDEN (South Fremantle)
Has turned himself into quite the consistent in and under ball winner now for South Fremantle and is an important member of their midfield especially in the continued absence of Jake Florenca. Produced another standout performance in Sunday's win against East Perth to earn a spot in the Team of the Week for a fourth time with 28 possessions.

WING – NEIL ERASMUS (Peel Thunder)
The emerging Fremantle midfielder is playing some impressive football in the WAFL for Peel at the moment to be a key part of their push towards playing finals. Had another strong showing in Saturday's big win against West Coast finishing up with 21 possessions, five tackles, four inside-50 entries and three marks.

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – LIAM HICKMOTT (Subiaco)
Continues to be perhaps the greatest positive to come out of a tough season for Subiaco in 2022. He did play in the premiership last year but that was largely as a run-with player and an outside role, but he's become a permanent midfielder this season and has grabbed the chance with both hands. Is winning plenty of the ball in his own right, is a ferocious tackler and is showing he can kick goals. Produced another 25 touches, six inside-50 entries, five tackles and two goals in Saturday's win against Perth.

CENTRE HALF-FORWARD – MASON SHAW (South Fremantle)
He had a largely tough season in the first part of the season before going out of the team injured and then upon his return, he didn’t set the world alight in the reserves. However, he was right back to his best last week kicking a season-best five goals against Subiaco and continued that form on Sunday against East Perth. Kicked another three goals from 10 possessions, eight marks and three tackles.

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – HAIDEN SCHLOITHE (South Fremantle)
He is in a dazzling patch of form for South Fremantle as he approaches his 200th WAFL game and is going to be key once again to his team's finals prospects as they play in a seventh consecutive finals series that he's been such a big part of. He put up another 31 touches, eight marks, six inside 50s, four tackles and a goal in hard earned win against East Perth.

FORWARD POCKET – LUKE ENGLISH (East Fremantle)
Is another East Fremantle player who has picked up his game enormously in 2022 to be having far and away the best season of his career to have helped them lock in a return to finals action. He has proven himself a terrific and lively half-forward equally effective working up the ground and being dangerous in the forward 50. Kicked another two goals against Claremont to go with 22 touches, six marks, five inside 50s and four tackles.

FULL-FORWARD – JONATHON MARSH (East Fremantle)
He is the barometer of East Fremantle in so many ways and he just plays with such a presence that can be intimidating to the opposition and make his teammates jump on his back and follow him. Plays with such power with his attack on the ball and his lethal right boot. Kicked another four goals from six kicks in Saturday's win against Claremont to now have 36 goals for the season to be just two goals behind Ben Sokol in the Bernie Naylor Medal race.

FORWARD POCKET – KEEGAN KNOTT (West Perth)
He might be just out of the Bernie Naylor Medal race now with a round to go, but he went a long way to securing the leading goalkicker award at West Perth with another lively showing from limited opportunities against Swan Districts on Saturday. The livewire kicked another three goals from nine kicks to now give him 33 goals for the season to be ahead of teammate Tyler Keitel on 30.

RUCK – LLOYD MEEK (Peel Thunder)
Dropped back to Peel Thunder this week after playing Fremantle's last home and away season game at AFL level, and produced another dominant ruck performance in the big win against the West Coast Eagles. He finished the afternoon with 22 touches, 33 hit outs, five marks, four tackles, three inside-50 entries and a goal.

ROVER – LEIGH KITCHIN (Subiaco)
The inspirational captain ensured he had a milestone day to remember on Saturday against Perth by delivering a best on ground performance. The four-time premiership winning star and dual fairest and best winner celebrated his 150th game to earn Subiaco life membership with 36 touches, eight inside 50s and seven marks on the same day his great mate Lachlan Delahunty bid farewell to the WAFL.

INTERCHANGE – SCOTT JONES (East Perth)
Was a battle of two of the better ruckmen in the competition on Sunday and he had the better of the contest with South Fremantle's Hamish Free. East Perth might have just fallen short at the final siren, but he did all he could to inspire his team finishing with 13 disposals, 56 hit outs, eight tackles and six marks.

INTERCHANGE – JORDAN BOULLINEAU (South Fremantle)
Has proven to be quite the astute addition to South Fremantle's back-line in 2022 having made the move from Peel Thunder. Showed his quality once again with some timely intercept marks and showing a cool head under pressure. He ended the afternoon against East Perth with 16 touches and 10 marks.

INTERCHANGE – ANGUS SCHUMACHER (East Perth)
The prolific East Perth on-baller put in another strong performance on Sunday even if the Royals did just come up short in the finish against South Fremantle at the port. He earned a spot in the Team of the Week for an eighth occasion so far in 2022 and delivered 29 touches, eight inside 50s, six marks and six tackles.

INTERCHANGE – JESSE TURNER (Swan Districts)
Another standout performance from the Swan Districts vice-captain and the competition's leading possession winner in 2022. Is now the only player to surpass 500 disposals this season and earned a Team of the Week spot for a 10th time by finishing with 29 touches, six marks, six tackles and five inside-50 entries in the win against West Perth.
 

UNLUCKY BUNCH

There were plenty of players who delivered tremendous performances across Round 19 but couldn’t quite fit into the Team of the Round, including:

East Fremantle's Kyle Baskerville, Matthew Jupp, Josh Schoenfeld and Ryan Lester-Smith.

Claremont's Callan England, Oliver Eastland, Jack Lewsey, Jared Hardisty and Anthony Davis.

Swan Districts' Aidan Clarke, Sam Fisher, Jackson Beck, Tom Edward, Elijah Hewett, Will Collins, Matthew Germs.

West Perth's Mitch Dobson, Mitch Peirce, Shane Nelson and Mark Hutchings.

Subiaco's Stefan Giro, Drew Rohde, Jakob Atkinson, Lachlan Delahunty, Angus Dewar and Chad Harris.

Perth's Kieran Hug, Matt Taylor, Haydn Busher, Chris Mayne, Kristian Cary and Regan Clarke.

Peel Thunder's Ty Anderson, Blair Bell, Darcy Tucker, Mitch Crowden, Ethan Hughes and Matthew Johnson.

West Coast's Greg Clark, Patrick Naish and Xavier O'Neill.

South Fremantle's Chad Pearson, Toby McQuilkin and Brendon Ah Chee.

East Perth's Kye Willcocks, Kyle Hamersley, Hamish Brayshaw, Angus Scott, Stan Wright and Sam Van Diemen.