WAFL Round 19 WrapMonday, August 21, 2023 - 11:48 AM - by Chris Pike

EAST Fremantle and Subiaco kept winning in the penultimate round of the WAFL season to set up their battle over top spot while Peel Thunder, Claremont and West Perth are now left fighting over the last two finals positions with a game to play.

The second last round of the 2023 WAFL season was always going to be one where a lot what was going to be sorted in the finals race, and in the end that happened with the Sharks and Lions winning to set up their clash over top spot and the minor premiership.

The Royals also bounced back to guarantee their finals position while the Tigers did snap their losing run to remain fifth, but now with one round to go it's still Claremont, Peel and West Perth who are fighting over those last two available finals positions.

All five Round 19 WAFL matches took place on Saturday afternoon beginning with Claremont avoiding a fifth consecutive loss by snapping the four-game winning run of Swan Districts with the 18.15 (123) to 14.7 (91) victory at Revo Fitness Stadium.

The victory means Claremont stays in fifth position but must beat Perth in the final round also at Tigerland to be guaranteed of a finals berth for a sixth consecutive season.

East Fremantle was able to make it eight consecutive wins to maintain a hold on top position with the 17.10 (112) to 9.9 (63) victory against Perth at Lathlain's Mineral Resources Park.

That means the Sharks remain in top spot and will remain there and claim a first minor premiership since 1998 with a win against Subiaco this coming Saturday.

West Perth was then able to take advantage of an inaccurate Peel Thunder at Mandurah's Lane Group Stadium to keep its season alive with the 12.8 (80) to 9.18 (72) victory.

That means that the Falcons now must beat East Perth this coming Saturday to still be a hope to play finals and then hope that either Claremont loses to Perth or that Peel gets hammered by Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval.

Subiaco then kept its hopes of a minor premiership alive by beating South Fremantle 13.15 (93) to 9.9 (63) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The result means that the Lions remain in second spot with four consecutive wins and now will be a good chance to claim top spot with a win over East Fremantle at home this coming Saturday, and if they can close the percentage gap in the process.

Then there was East Perth confirmed its finals position by bouncing back from consecutive losses to beat the West Coast Eagles 15.24 (114) to 10.6 (66).

COLTS

The Round 19 Colts action began on Saturday morning at Revo Fitness Stadium with Claremont defeating Swan Districts 13.13 (91) to 7.6 (48). The victory locks up a top two finish at least for the Tigers with top spot to be decided in their final round clash with Perth this Saturday.

Kody Katauskas, Joe Matthews, Jasper Peace and Cody Angove all kicked two goals apiece for Claremont with Angove also gathering 21 disposals, Riley Disisto 20, Max Rohr 19 (30 hit outs) and Kai Dehavilland 18.

Tristen Burgess kicked four goals for Swan Districts with Riley Hardeman picking up 28 possessions, Luke Kelly 27 (12 tackles) and Chayse Martinson 25.

Perth missed the chance to guarantee top position when East Fremantle defeated the Demons 11.13 (79) to 7.2 (44) at Lathlain's Mineral Resources Park with the Sharks now sitting third with a game to play.

Dante Wiseman kicked four goals for East Fremantle, Tyler Messina two and Sam Otto two while Koen Sanchez gathered 25 touches, Jack Eastaugh 21,, Otto 19, Phoenix Knight 17 and Mitch Zadow 17.

Ryan Lee kicked four goals for Perth with Jake Watson collecting 21 possessions, Brodie McLean 17 and Oscar Hine-Baston 17.

Peel Thunder also defeated West Perth 16.4 (100) to 11.15 (81) at Mandurah's Lane Group Stadium with the despite the Thunder not being able to make finals and the Falcons locked into fifth position.

Ethan Logan kicked four goals for Peel, Austin Polmear three, Kaed Collard two and Bronson Martin two with Deian Roberts finishing with 19 possessions, Kody Sharpes 16 and Jesse Grant 15.

Codan Daddow, Isaac Hewitt and Jye Skender kicked two goals each for West Perth with Jack Wooden gathering 2 disposals, Matt Galjaardt 22 and Bailey Long 18.

Then there was Subiaco beating South Fremantle 13.6 (84) to 3.9 (27) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with the Lions staying in fourth position as a result and a chance to go third with a last round victory against East Fremantle.

Koopa Walsh kicked three goals for Subiaco, Finley Henderson three, Malakai Champion two and Darcy Montgomery two while Tyler Senge finished with 4 disposals, Lachlan O'Keefe 24, Ethan Barbieri 24, Champion 22 and Charlie Burke 20.

South Fremantle's goals came from Riley Plunkett, Harrison Heaton and Nic Davidson with Toby Whan racking up 29 possessions (15 inside 50s), Jacob Whan 22 and Tarkyn Etherington 15.

RESERVES

Round 19 in the Reserves began with Claremont defeating Swan Districts 9.9 (63) to 8.8 (56) at Revo Fitness Stadium with the Tigers keeping their hopes alive of a top three finish Swans missed the chance to stay in the race of top spot.

Luke Brown kicked four goals for Claremont and Felix Rogers two with Menno Inverarity finishing with 26 touches, Morgan Davies 25, Anthony Treacy 22, Finn Moloney 21 and Rogers 20.

Lewis Zolnier-Owens and Brayden Jones kicked three goals apiece for Swan Districts with Max Chipper collecting 26 possessions, Mitch Bain 24, Ben Hewett 22, Sam Fisher 22, Kane Hughes 21 and Matthew Germs 13 to go with 47 hit outs.

East Fremantle also scored the 13.11 (89) to 8.7 (55) victory against Perth at Mineral Resources Park with the Sharks locking in a finals spot as a result against the bottom placed Demons.

Ethan Paholski kicked four goals for East Fremantle, Jacob Calabrese two and James Spadanuda two with Jack Cleaver amassing 26 disposals, Ryan Lester-Smith 20, Enrique Aiken-Featherstone 20, Lachlan Blakiston 19 and Matt Williamson 15.

Oscar Bird kicked three goals for Perth while Liam Dellamarta collected 35 possessions, Ned Shannon 20, James Preston-Coates 18, Jacques Barwick 17 and Jack Cooley 17.

West Perth ended up defeating Peel Thunder 17.12 (114) to 6.4 (40) at Lane Group Stadium with the Falcons securing a top spot finish as a result.

Luke Reilly and Zarne Robis kicked four goals each for West Perth, Zachary Fleiner two and Jack Demarte two. Mark Hutchings finished with another 31 touches, Callum Johnson 23, Daniel Gathercole 22, Kane Bevan 21 and Reilly 19.

Deon Welhan kicked two goals for Peel with Guy Barnes racking up 29 possessions, Tristan Bryce 22, Welhan 19 and Reece Torrent 18.

Subiaco delivered the 15.10 (100) to 6.4 (40) victory over South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with the Lions remaining in third place as a result with the Bulldogs' season over with the final round bye.

Filimone Muavou kicked four goals for Subiaco, Jake South three, Jake Stergiou and Richard Bartlett two while Jaxon McGowan compiled 31 touches, Jordan Snadden 24, Lachlan Vanirsen 22, Corey Robinson 17, Stergiou 16 and Aaron Heal 16 to go with 11 marks.

Liam Brandis kicked two goals for South Fremantle with Callum Copeland finishing with 36 disposals, George Wessels 27, Jaren Carr 26 and Toby Dodds 25.
 

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 19

CLAREMONT 18.15 (123) defeated SWAN DISTRICTS 14.7 (91)

Claremont was able to snap a four-game losing streak to remain inside the WAFL's top five by ending the four-match winning run of Swan Districts on Saturday at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Claremont came into the game on a four-match losing run to be vulnerable in fifth position and as the day turned out, had the Tigers not beaten Swans then they would have been outside the top five altogether going into the final round.

However, the Tigers were able to return to the winner's list at the expense of a Swan Districts who had won four in-a-row at the same time with Claremont putting in an impressive return to form performance.

Claremont finished the game with 62 more possessions than Swan Districts, 16 extra inside-50 entries and 3 scoring shots to 21 in the eventual 18.15 (123) to 14.7 (91) victory to leave the Tigers just needing to beat Perth in the last round to be guaranteed of another finals appearance.

Alex Manuel had a tremendous first half for Claremont finishing up kicking four goals from the six kicks that he ended up having for the game.

Bailey Rogers, Jye Bolton, Callan England, Talon Delacey, Sam Alvarez and Zac Mainwaring then all ended up kicking two goals apiece for the Tigers with Bolton also having 31 possessions, Rogers 29, England 25 and Alcarez 24.

Ben Edwards was also terrific in the midfield for Claremont with 32 touches and seven inside-50 entries while Teia Miles finished with 24 disposals, Ben Elliott 21, Oliver Sheldrick 21, Anthony Davis 19, Jack Lewsey 18 and Oliver Eastland 17 to go with 35 hit outs and a goal in the ruck.

Tom Edwards had another impressive afternoon up forward for Swan Districts kicking four goals from 13 possessions and five marks with Lachlan Riley chipping in with three goals and Jackson McLachlan two to go with 25 disposals and six tackles.

Aidan Clarke put together another strong performance in the midfield for Swan Districts finishing with 29 possessions, six inside 50s, five marks and a goal with Jesse Turner also gathering another 29 disposals.

Josh Cipro added 26 possessions, Lawson Humphries 17, Brad Lynch 16 and Tobe Watson 15.

Claremont needed the win to stay inside the top five after losing its last four matches and the Tigers made the perfect start with three goals in just over the opening the six minutes, the first to Alex Manuel and then a couple to Callan England.

Swan Districts did get on the board shortly after thanks to Lachlan Riley before adding another through Josh Cipro. 

The goals in the opening term kept on coming with another couple for Claremont to Manuel and Jye Bolton before Tom Edwards got one back for Swans to keep them in touch with just the 11-point deficit.

Manuel kicked a third goal already of the game just over a minute into the second quarter and then Claremont's lead was out to 23 points when Talon Delacey added another.

Swans were keeping in touch, though, and got a goal back from Brayden Noble but when Zac Mainwaring pushed the lead for the Tigers back out to 25 points.

Again Swan Districts responded to stay in touch with goals to Jackson McLachlan and Aidan Clarke, but the Tigers did finish the first half strongly with a fourth goal to Manuel and a second to Bolton to go into the half-time break leading by 26 points.

It took more than nine minutes for the first goal of the second half and that again went the way of Claremont thanks to Bailey Rogers.

Swan Districts did respond through Brad Lynch, but the Tigers closed the third term with goals to Oliver Eastland, Sam Alvarez and Rogers again to open up a game high 51-point advantage.

The game might have been out of reach, but Swans did dig keep in the final quarter starting with the opening two goals from Edwards and Jesse Palmer. 

When Edwards added another later in the quarter with Riley and McLachlan also adding a second, the black-and-whites did get back to within 26 points but Claremont did enough to steady and claim the crucial 32-point victory.

PERTH 9.9 (63) lost to EAST FREMANTLE 17.10 (112)

East Fremantle moved a step closer to a first minor premiership since 1998 by beating Perth by 49 points at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday with former Demon kicking seven goals for the Sharks.

The Sharks came into the clash with the Demons on a seven-match winning streak and despite the absence of Jonathon Marsh, Milan Murdock and Dillon O'Reilly, they still managed to kick 17 goals to win by 49 points and to make eight straight victories.

The 17.10 (112) to 9.9 (63) win for East Fremantle at the Lathlain venue means the Sharks remain in top spot of the WAFL and will be guaranteed of the minor premiership for the first time in 25 years with a win against Subiaco this coming Saturday.

However, even a loss for the Sharks and they could remain in first position should be only a narrow defeat and their percentage remains above that of Subiaco.

Cody Leggett did play the first 67 games of his WAFL career at Perth before a bit of a messy departure before ending up being cleared to East Fremantle in 2020. 

He came back to haunt his old team on Saturday too by kicking seven goals for the Sharks to equal the career-best haul where he actually kicked seven for Perth against East Fremantle back in 2016.

Reuben McGuire also had a good game in attack in the absence of Dillon O'Reilly kicking three goals with Ben McGuire also kicking three goals and Josh Schoenfeld two in his return from a stint in the reserves to go with 17 touches, eight marks and seven inside-50 entries.

Fraser Turner produced a standout performance on the wing for East Fremantle to rack up 37 possessions with Jackson McDonald also gathering 28 disposals, Kyle Baskerville 26, Cam Eardley 20 and Tom Joyce 19.

Harry Quartermaine returned to the Perth team after a stint back in the reserves and kicked two goals from four kicks and three marks with fellow forward Kristian Cary finishing with 27 possessions, 11 marks and two goals.

Charlie Thompson gathered another 26 disposals for the Demons, Ayden Cartwright 26, Trent Manzone 26, Jacob Coniglio 24, Austin Davis 20 and Dakota Baldwin-Wright 16 along with 32 hit outs.

It took almost seven minutes for the first goal of the game after a couple of behinds to either team and it was Cody Leggett back on his old home deck against his former team who got the first major for East Fremantle.

It took another 11 minutes for the next goal and that always went the way of East Fremantle through Ben McGuire. He added another soon after and the Sharks had the only three goals of the first term to be leading by 17 points at quarter-time.

Perth did make a good start to the second quarter with a goal to Harry Quartermaine but East Fremantle immediately responded through Reuben McGuire.

That trend continued the rest of the first half with the teams trading goals and it was a straight kick to Josh Schoenfeld just before half-time to saw East Fremantle head into the main break leading by 16 points.

Leggett had just kicked the one goal in the first half against his former team but with Hugh Dixon quiet and Dillon O'Reilly and Jonathon Marsh absent, he had to step up in the Sharks forward-line and he did so in spectacular fashion in the third quarter.

The former Perth star and current gun East Fremantle goal shark kicked four of the seven goals in the third quarter for the Sharks which saw the league-leaders take a 53-point advantage into three quarter-time.

To the credit of the Demons, they did finish the game full of running again and outscored the Sharks five goals to four in the last quarter, but East Fremantle still scored the 49-point win to stay on top of the WAFL ladder with a round to go.

PEEL THUNDER 9.18 (72) lost to WEST PERTH 12.8 (80)

An inaccurate Peel Thunder proved to be just the tonic for West Perth to take advantage to score the eight-point win in Mandurah on Saturday to leave the Falcons a chance of still playing finals in 2023.

West Perth arrived at Lane Group Stadium on a four-match winning streak but still in sixth position on the ladder and having no choice but to keep winning to leave the reigning premiers any chance still to play finals in 2023.

However, Peel also had yet to lock away a finals position and needed to win one of its last two matches as well to qualify setting up a fascinating contest between the two teams situated the largest distance apart in the WAFL.

In the end, the major difference between the sides was Peel's inaccuracy in the second half. After half-time, the Thunder managed just 3.12 and despite finishing the game with four more inside-50 entries than West Perth and seven extra scoring shots, it was West Perth who prevailed 12.8 (80) to 9.18 (72).

The result means that West Perth now must beat East Perth in the final round to be any chance to play finals and hope that either Perth beats Claremont or Swan Districts hammers Peel.

The Thunder can 100 per cent secure a finals spot by beating Swans but anything but a huge thrashing and they still should play finals for a second straight season.

It was a must-win game for West Perth and Tyler Keitel not only enhanced his Bernie Naylor Medal lead, but also was crucial in the victory for the Falcons by kicking five goals from 10 kicks and five marks.

Darcy Dixon also kicked three goals for West Perth and Griffith Julian two who came back into the Falcons team to replace injured co-captain Aaron Black.

Shane Nelson had another brilliant performance in the midfield for West Perth for 36 possessions, eight marks, seven tackles and four inside-50 entries with Luke Meadows adding 26 touches, Aidan Lynch 24, Mitch Peirce 21, Nathan Murray 19 and Conal Lynch 19.

The West Perth back-line stood up strongly well too with Zac Guadagnin finishing with 26 possessions and 15 marks, Ben Johnson 25 disposals and Tyson Moulton 15 touches and seven marks.

Matt Taberner had a mixed afternoon for Peel but did kick two goals from his seven kicks and four marks with Brody Wemm also kicking a couple of goals for the Thunder.

Will Brodie racked up 30 possessions for Peel in the midfield with captain Ben Hancock picking up 21 disposals, Nathan Wilson 20, Nathan O'Driscoll 19, Clay Hall 19, Jacob Blight 19, Travis Colyer 17, Brady Grey 17 and Haydn Matthews 17.

Peel started the game well with the first goal thanks to Nathan Wilson but West Perth responded firstly through Darcy Dixon and then the Falcons took the lead when Griffith Julian kicked truly.

It remained a tight start to the game when Brody Wemm added another for Peel and when Matt Taberner and Jack Sears also goaled heading into quarter-time, it was the Thunder on top by seven points.

The Thunder then extended their lead to 13 points to start the second quarter with a goal to Ben Middleton, but West Perth responded with the next three to Tyler Keitel, Dixon and Julian. 

The Falcons then closed the half with another couple of goals to Keitel and that saw the reigning premiers go into the half-time break leading by 11 points.

It took only a minute for Peel to kick the first goal of the second half thanks to Fremantle-listed key forward Matt Taberner but then the inaccuracy curse began to creep in the Thunder with four consecutive behinds.

Wet Perth made them pay with a goal to Luke Meadows but Wemm responded for the Thunder and it was just a three-point lead for the Falcons by the three quarter-time break.

Peel was able to kick the first goal of the final term through Liam Reidy, but the Thunder only the seven behind the rest of the way and even Taberner kicked a shot out on the full late in the piece with the home team unable to find their kicking boots.

West Perth did manage to kick the last three goals of the game as a result including another couple to Keitel and then the sealer to Mitch Peirce to keep the finals hopes of the reigning premiers alive.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 9.9 (63) lost to SUBIACO 13.15 (93)

Subiaco made it four consecutive wins and kept its hopes alive of claiming the minor premiership for 2023 by beating the increasingly youthful South Fremantle by 30 points at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

It was the last home game of the season for South Fremantle and once again there was plenty of fresh faces and youth out there for the Bulldogs in the continued absence of Jake Florenca, Manfred Kelly, Jordan Gallucci, Brendon Ah Chee, Brock Higgins, Chad Pearson, Brandon Donaldson, Dylan Main, Matthew Parker and Jordan Boullineau.

The Bulldogs were still able to make the Lions work hard, but they had just too much to play for in the end to lock in a top two position and stay in the race to finish in top spot at the end of the 2023 WAFL season.

Subiaco ended up overcoming South Fremantle 13.15 (93) to 9.9 (63) which means the Lions have now won four matches in-a-row to remain in second position and a win by a big enough margin against East Fremantle this Saturday will see the Lions end up in first place.

South Fremantle now sits on a 5-12 record this season with one match remaining which is at Mineral Resources Park this Saturday morning against the West Coast Eagles.

While Subiaco spearhead Ben Sokol was held to just two behinds for the afternoon by his former South Fremantle teammate Noah Strom, the Lions had other forwards who stepped up led by 17-year-old exciting tall target Luker Kentfield who kicked four goals from seven kicks and four marks.

Jack Mayo and Ryan Borchet also kicked two goals apiece for Subiaco with Mayo having 21 touches and four marks, and Borchet 16 disposals and three marks.

Stefan Giro delivered another standout performance for Subiaco gathering 32 possessions to go with nine inside 50s, seven marks and a goal.

Liam Hickmott picked up another 29 disposals, Taj Schofield 27, Wil Hickmott 23, Drew Rohde 19 and ruckman Zac Clarke 19 to go with 335 hit outs and six marks.

Jack Blechynden was South Fremantle's only multiple goal scorer in the game kicking two goals from 11 touches to go with four marks, three tackles and three inside-50 entries.

In just the third game of his league career, Aaron Drage was once again outstanding for South Fremantle with another 32 possessions, five tackles and five inside-50 entries.

Tom Blechynden collected 24 disposals, Jimmy Miller 23 (13 hit outs, eight marks, one goal), Glenn Byron 20, Toby McQuilkin 20, Roan O'Hehir 19, Jacob Dragovich 18, Kyle Russell 18 and Caleb Stephens 18.

Subiaco's tall forwards Jack Mayo and Ryan Borchet opened up the game with the first two goals of the contest before small forward Ben Golding chipped in to give the Lions the first three of the afternoon.

South Fremantle, though, did respond with the next two goals from Aiden Hall and Jimmy Miller leading into quarter-time to cut the Subiaco lead to just five points.

Both teams found the going tough to find a goal in the second quarter and they combined for seven behinds before it was Kyle Russell who kicked truly for South Fremantle at the 21-minute mark to make it just a two-point ball game.

Subiaco responded just before half-time with a goal to Jordan Faraone and that saw the Lions lead by eight points at the main break.

Young key forward Luker Kentfield then started the second half with a goal for Subiaco and when he added another at the 10-minute mark of the third term, the Lions lead got out to 21 points.

South Fremantle responded through second-gamer Mitch Sinnott, but the Lions answered with goals to Mayo, Drew Rohde and Stefan Giro to lead by 32 points before South Fremantle got a goal back just before three quarter-time from Jack Blechynden.

South Fremantle did make things interesting with the first goal of the last quarter too when Jacob Dragovich kicked truly to make it a 20-point game, but Subiaco continued to have the answers and another couple of goals to Kentfield helped the Lions secure the 30-point victory.

EAST PERTH 15.24 (114) defeated WEST COAST EAGLES 10.6 (66)

East Perth missed a golden chance to boost its percentage with an inaccurate second half to end up only beating the West Coast Eagles by 47 points at Leederville Oval on Saturday.

East Perth did produce a dominant performance to snap a two-game losing streak to guarantee a finals position, but the Royals missed a chance to strengthen their hopes of a top two finish with one game to play.

The Royals ended the afternoon with 106 more possessions than the Eagles, 58 inside-50 entries to 33 and 23 extra scoring shots, but East Perth ended up just kicking four goals and 14 behinds the entire second half.

East Perth still won 15.24 (114) to 10.6 (66) to guarantee a finals berth but the Royals can still finish in second position with a win in the last round against East Perth should East Fremantle beat Subiaco at the same time.

Christian Ameduri enjoyed spending more time in the forward-line than he's accustomed to for East Perth and ended up having eight scoring shots for the afternoon. He kicked three goals from those along with 23 possessions, eight tackles and seven marks.

Hamish Brayshaw also kicked another three goals for the Royals to go with 27 possessions and 12 marks with Mitch Schofield and Angus Scott kicking two goals apiece. Scott also had 28 disposals, six marks and six inside-50 entries.

Stan Wright collected 27 possessions off half-back for East Perth with Michael Randall picking up 27 touches, Tom North 24, Jacob Msando 22, Angus Schumacher 22, Sam van Diemen 19, Kye Willcocks 18, Nathan Eaton 18 and Zach Raykos 18.

Jarrod Garlett kicked three goals from his six kicks for West Coast with Isiah Winder also ending up with 29 possessions and two goals.

Rhett Bazzo fought hard down back for the Eagles and ended up with 27 possessions and 13 marks while Callum Jamieson 23 touches, 15 hit outs, five marks and four tackles.

Josh Browne also finished with 22 touches, Jordyn Baker 19 and Andries Mercer 19.

East Perth started with the opening goal of the game through Zach Raykos before West Coast responded through Ethan Sambo.

The teams traded goals then once more through Sam van Diemen and Jarrod Garlett, but the Royals were able to pull away heading into quarter-time with another four goals to one and be on top by 20 points at the first change.

East Perth then opened up the second quarter with the opening three goals to Christian Ameduri and then with a couple to Hamish Brayshaw. Liam Tedesco then kicked another for East Perth just before half-time with the Royals in control by 50 points.

A percentage boosting win was on the cards for East Perth but it wasn’t quite to be with the Royals only managing five behinds in the third quarter while West Coast kicked goals through Jed Kemp and then a couple more to Garlett.

Brayshaw did kick a third goal to start the last quarter for East Perth but again the Royals missed the chance for the huge win by kicking nine behinds in the term with the Eagles kicking another three goals for East Perth to end up winning by 47 points.