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Round 22 WAFL Wrap UpTuesday, August 20, 2013 - 1:08 AM - by Chris Pike

THERE were four big losers and four big winners in Round 22 WAFL action on the weekend with East Perth and East Fremantle improving to third and fourth positions, and Swan Districts and Perth taking a step backwards from finals action.

There was just the one match on Saturday at Leederville's Medibank Stadium with East Perth beating Perth 20.16 (136) to 13.10 (88).

There were three games on Sunday with South Fremantle thrashing 24.16 (160) to 9.13 (67) at Mandurah's Bendigo Bank Stadium, Claremont winning big over Swan Districts 19.10 (124) to 9.11 (65) at Claremont Oval and East Fremantle downed West Perth 20.14 (134) to 9.7 (61) at Arena Joondalup.

The results mean that Claremont (16-2) and West Perth (13-5) remain atop the ladder with two rounds remaining with East Perth (11-7) third and East Fremantle (10-8) fourth. Outside the four are Swan Districts (10-8), Perth (9-9), South Fremantle (5-13), Subiaco (5-13) and Peel (3-16).

Click here for the summary of Round 22 of the WAFL

THE BIG WINNERS

Four teams remain fighting over third and fourth positions on the ladder and an appearance in the finals for 2013, and two of them scored thumping and impressive wins on the weekend.

East Perth kicked away from Perth in the last quarter to win by 48 points and move a game clear in third position with games to finish over the last fortnight against the seventh-placed South Fremantle and eighth-placed Subiaco.

East Fremantle knew it had to beat the top-three teams in the WAFL over the last three weeks coming into the weekend, and the Sharks got off to the perfect start on Sunday thrashing West Perth at Arena Joondalup in front of 6195 fans by 73 points.

That improved East Fremantle to a 10-8 record to be ahead of Swan Districts by percentage with those two teams to meet this Saturday at Bassendean's Steel Blue Oval before the Sharks take on Claremont in the final round.

THE BIG LOSERS
The other two teams fighting over third and fourth positions on the ladder are Swan Districts and Perth, and both suffered disappointing losses on the weekend.

Swan Districts opened the weekend in third position but now sits fifth after a 59-point defeat at the hands of Claremont, and now the black-and-whites host fourth-placed East Fremantle this Saturday before taking on the second-placed West Perth in the final round.

Perth has now lost three straight matches to be just about out of the finals hunt. The Demons are a game and percentage out of the four with games to finish the season against Claremont and South Fremantle.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
Saturday's standalone fixture was a tight affair for three quarters at Leederville's Medibank Stadium before East Perth booted six goals to Perth's one in the final quarter to run out impressive 48-point winners.

Bernie Naylor Medal leader Josh Smith extended his lead atop the goalkicking table with a terrific performance booting six goals to go with 20 possessions, 13 marks and five entries inside the forward 50.

Freddie Clutterbuck also kicked a career-best three goals for the Royals with co-captain Craig Wulff and Cale Morton kicking two goals apiece. Morton also finished with 32 possessions, 11 marks and eight inside-50 entries.

East Perth ruckman Paul Johnson was outstanding with 21 possessions, seven marks, 26 hit outs, seven inside 50s and two goals while Matt Rosa racked up 34 disposals, Adam Selwood 27, Blayne Wilson 26, Brendan Lee 26, Aaron Sweet 24, Mat Seal 24, Michael Swan 20 and Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls 20.

Brennan Stack kicked three goals for Perth with Simon Tunbridge and captain Paul Bevan kicking two apiece.

Jarryd Morton had a team-high 22 possessions for the Demons with Jarrad Irons gathering 20 disposals, Joel Leeson 18, Brett Hodge 16 and Stack 16.

Swan Districts led Claremont at quarter-time by eight points, but the Tigers dominated from that point kicking 16 goals to five over the last three quarters to end up comfortable 59-point winners.

Paul Medhurst booted four goals for the Tigers with Ian Richardson and Anton Hamp adding three each, and Chad Jones and ruckman Mark Seaby two apiece.

Luke Blackwell continued his remarkable form since returning from injury with another best on ground performance with 35 possessions and eight entries inside-50 for the Tigers.

Jake Murphy was also terrific with 30 disposals to go with four tackles, five inside 50s and a goal.

Andrew Foster also had 30 touches to go with five tackles, three inside 50s and a goal while Ryan Neates finished with 27 disposals, Jack Bradshaw 27, Jesse Laurie 22 and Tom Taylor 20.

Swan Districts' veteran wingman Shaun Hildebrandt finished with 32 possessions while Wayde Twomey had 28 disposals, Kyle Hams 25, Tom Roach, Graham Jetta 20, Ryan Davis 20 and Matt Riggio 20. goal while Ryan Neates finished with 27 disposals, Jack Bradshaw 27, Jesse Laurie 22 and Tom Taylor 20.

Dayle Garlett worked hard for 19 touches, seven marks, five tackles, six inside 50s and a goal with Davis kicking two goals as did Kirk Ugle. Tim Geappen worked hard up forward with 18 touches, six marks, six inside 50s and 1.3.

East Fremantle stormed back into the top-four with a thumping 73-point win over the second-placed West Perth at Arena Joondalup.

It was a terrific all-round performance from the Sharks and one that showed that they can certainly be a force in the finals if they get there.

Rory O'Brien continued his superb season with another 38 possessions while in defence, Andrew Stephen had a career-best 32 disposals to go with 12 marks and four inside-50 entries.

East Fremantle racked up 140 more possessions on the day and took an incredible 84 more marks so there were a host of players finishing with big numbers as well as O'Brien and Stephen.

Captain Mark McGough picked up 32 possessions, Sean Henson 27, Aidan Tropiano 26, Brett Peake 26, Kieran King 25, Scott Hancock 24, James Bayliss 24, Jacob Brennan 24, Jayden Schofield 23 and debutant Alex Howson 19 to go with two goals.

In the absence of leading goalkicker Ryan Lester-Smith, Rob Young and Brad Dick kicked four goals apiece with Hancock booting two along with Louis Cronan.

West Perth was without a host of key players including Andrew Strijk, Matt Guadagnin, Matt Johnson, Jay van Berlo, Laine Rasmussen, Kris Shannon, Luke Tedesco, Michael Pettigrew and Chris Keunen.

Experienced forward Anthony Tsalikis was also out of the game early after going down firstly with a cut to his head and then with a shoulder injury before he managed to touch the ball.

Mark Hutchings did return for West Perth after surprisingly being dropped after some impressive AFL form with West Coast, and finished the day with 26 possessions, six marks, three inside-50 entries and two goals.

Fremantle's Josh Mellington also had a strong day ending up with 25 disposals, six inside-50 entries and two goals.

Steve Potente continued his tremendous form for the Falcons with 25 possessions, six tackles, four inside 50s and a goal with Aaron Black gathering 24 touches, Brayden Antonio 22, Shane Nelson 21 and Frank Stockley worked hard in the ruck finishing with 16 touches and 33 hit outs.

West Coast's Ashton Hams returned on Sunday for South Fremantle and continued his outstanding WAFL form this season finishing with 31 possessions, six clearances, four inside-50 entries and six goals.

The Bulldogs' other AFL-listed player on the day, Fremantle's Haiden Schloithe, was also terrific particularly in the first half with 23 disposals, six clearances and two goals.

Three of South Fremantle's young midfielders were particularly outstanding with Brendan Verrier racking up 30 possessions, Jacob Martinez 25 and two goals, and Tim Kelly 24 touches.

Captain Ryan Cook continued his strong season with another 34 possessions as well with Mitch Banner having it 32 times, second-gamer James Laurino 22 (as well as a mercurial goal), Reece Adams 17 and Kris Miller 17.

Peel still managed to go inside its forward 50 on 41 occasions but South Fremantle's back-line was well in control led by Adam McIntosh who not only restricted Kristin Thornton to 12 touches, but had 26 possessions and a career-best three goals himself.

Nick Borovac had a good battle with lively Peel forward Brad Holmes and had 22 disposals himself while Warrick Andreoli played his best game for South Fremantle with 21 touches.

Dylan Ross was again a standout performer at centre half-back with 20 touches and five marks with Adam Guglielmana picking up 18 disposals and Mitch Carter 16 to go with a good goal.

As he has been all season, Peel captain Brendon Jones was far and away his team's best player with 32 possessions, seven clearances and a goal. That was the good news, but unfortunately for the Thunder their inspirational leader announced his retirement post-match.

Brad Holmes worked hard up forward with 16 disposals, 11 marks and three goals with Marlon Motlop also kicking three goals from 18 touches and five clearances.

Liam McKenna gathered 23 possessions, Jesse Crichton 22 and Laine Wilkins 19 with James Flaherty doing a good job at full-back keeping reigning Bernie Naylor Medallist Ben Saunders to two goals and five kicks.

PUSHING FOR A SPOT
East Perth's reserves recorded a 21-point victory over Perth on Saturday at Medibank Stadium with Rowan Brookes and Arthur Bennell kicking three goals apiece.

Blake Borrett finished with 23 possessions, Mitch Howlett 23, Ashley Boyes 22, Matthew Pearce 21 and Tom Shanahan 19.

Joel Houghton gathered 25 possessions for Perth with Brad Fry gathering 22 touches to go with three goals. Mark Deaves also kicked three goals and Matthew Boyle two with Kieran Hug gathering 21 touches, Reese Richardson 21 and Kerwin Stuart 19.

West Perth's reserves recorded a crucial seven-point victory over East Fremantle, 10.8 (68) to 9.7 (61).

Tom Shadbolt, Aidan Lynch and Drew Rohde all kicked two goals apiece for the Falcons with James Embley gathering 23 possessions, Jack Thrum 23, Joe Morrow 20, Lynch 19, Jordan Mills 19 and Ben O'Regan 18.

Adrian Ricciardello kicked two goals for East Fremantle with Jake Schleicher picking up 24 possessions, Sam Read 22 and Luke Murphy 21.

South Fremantle's reserves also recorded a comfortable 49-point win over Peel but it could have been by so much more if the Bulldogs had kicked straighter than the 11.24.

Blaine Johnson booted three goals from 19 possessions, seven marks and four tackles in an impressive display with Kaiden Matera also booting two majors.

Alex Grima racked up a game-high 29 possessions with Jarrod Parry having it 28 times, Toby Bairstow 26, Jarrad Winter 25, Tyler Hall 23 and Dylan Main 20.

Shaun Bewick also came in for his first appearance of the season after a knee injury and picked up 13 possessions.

Reise Wilkey and Jesse Hockings both kicked three goals for Peel with Corey Morris gathering 23 possessions, Aiden Field 20, Rhys Anzellino 16 and Corey Fish 16.

Claremont's reserves overcame Swan Districts by nine points with Luke Salomone kicking four goals and Keegan Knott three.

Matthew Goyder racked up 22 possessions, the returning David Crawford 22, Keifer Yu 20 and Jack Richardson 19.

Michael Bennell kicked three goals for Swan Districts with Ricky Cary adding two while Aidan Anderson gathered 27 possessions, Blaine Boekhorst 16, Simon Parry 22 and Connor Blakely 21.