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Round 1 WAFL ResultsSunday, March 22, 2015 - 4:42 PM - by Chris Pike

SWAN Districts, Subiaco and East Fremantle all recorded emphatic WAFL Round 1 victories on Saturday to back up South Fremantle kicking off the 2015 season with a win on Friday night.

South Fremantle opened the WAFL season beating West Perth 14.6 (90) to 8.7 (55) at Fremantle Oval on Friday night leading into three big matches right throughout Saturday afternoon and night.

The first game on Saturday was in the traditional 2.15pm time slot with Swan Districts recording a thumping 21.21 (147) to 7.9 (51) win over Perth at Bassendean's Steel Blue Oval.

The twilight fixture then saw reigning premiers Subiaco beat Claremont 15.16 (106) to 9.7 (61) at Leederville's Medibank Stadium before the opening round wrapped up on Saturday night at Domain Stadium with East Fremantle defeating East Perth 13.18 (96) to 5.11 (41).

Swan Districts got its 2015 season off to the best possible start with a thumping 96-point win over Perth at home on Saturday.

The black-and-whites kicked the only four goals of the first quarter and then never took their foot off the accelerator extending their lead to 37 points at half-time, 65 points at three quarter-time and 96 by the final siren. 

Ricky Cary was a strong focal point in attack for Swans having nine shots on goal from 11 kicks and five marks. He kicked 4.5 from those opportunities while also putting on strong pressure laying six tackles.

East Perth recruit Jackson Slater also kicked three goals in his first game with Swan Districts while Matt Riggio also had three majors, Matt Rogers two, Tim Geappen two and Jason Daniels two.

Former Perth wingman Aaron Elari dominated against his former side with 33 possessions for Swan Districts with Riggio also racking up 27 disposals, Adam Faulkner 27, Nathan Broad 24, Jacob Burnham 23, Rudy Riddoch 19 and Jacob Coniglio 19.

Swans also covered the absence of No. 1 ruckman Nathan Blakely well with Jake Nuich terrific on debut with 10 possessions and 25 hit outs. He received good support from the undersized Joel Houghton who had 16 touches and 10 hit outs in his first game since leaving Perth for Swans.

Tony Notte also dominated in the air across the ground with 22 possessions and 12 marks for Swans.

Aidan Tropiano worked tirelessly for Perth in the midfield with 34 possessions while Jarryd Morton racked up 30 disposals and East Perth recruit Jacob Payne 26.

Michael Sinclair also gathered 24 touches for the Demons, new captain Dene White 21 and former Swan Districts premiership player Brett Wolfenden 19.

Mitch Morton kicked three of Perth's seven goals for the afternoon.

Subiaco and Claremont were having a terrific battle up until three quarter-time with little separating the two teams at Medibank Stadium as the lights took over on Saturday evening.

However, the Lions were able to turn it on in the last quarter with the reigning premiers piling on six goals to one to end up impressive 45-point winners to open their premiership defence.

Subiaco's forward-line proved to get more and more potent as the game wore on even in the absence of premiership full-forward Matt Boland.

Shane Yarran and Clancy Wheeler kicked five goals apiece for the Lions with Wheeler having a strong all-round game with 21 points, six marks, four tackles and three hit outs to go with the five goals.

Even with captain Kyal Horsley limited to just 14 possessions, Subiaco had plenty of big ball winners with Reece Blechynden gathering 29 disposals, Leigh Kitchin 28, Chris Phelan 24, Jordan Lockyer 20, Brett Mahoney 19 and East Fremantle recruit Scott Hancock 17.

Subiaco will have to find ways to cover the retired Andrew McDougall and injured Frank Stockley in the ruck this season, but David Madut showed good signs against Claremont with 26 hit outs.

Claremont will hope to welcome back Mark Seaby and Beau Maister into its line-up before too long to add some size and experience, but the Tigers showed plenty of good signs in the first three quarters.

Shane McAdam booted three goals on debut for Claremont with Ian Richardson also kicking two on his return after a year away from the WAFL.

Mitch Andrews was terrific in the ruck for the Tigers with 18 touches and 43 hit outs while Tom Ledger racked up 28 possessions, Corey Yeo 20, Matthew Davies 18 and recruit Kepler Bradley 18.

The final game of the round was perhaps the one that was the most anticipated with it taking place at Domain Stadium and being broadcast live on 7mate.

Over 5000 people turned out for the fixture and the TV audience peaked at 50,000 so it was a successful result on both counts, but it was a night to forget for the Royals.

East Perth has played in the last two WAFL grand finals, but East Fremantle dominated the contest on Saturday night kicking the opening eight goals of the game with the Royals not scoring a major until the 13-minute mark of the third quarter thanks to Julian Ameduri.

However, the Royals still only had one goal up until three quarter-time with East Fremantle dominating in impressive fashion to lead by 68 points at the last change, and end up winning by 55 points at the final siren.

All of East Fremantle's big names stood tall as well led by Liam Anthony on return from North Melbourne who finished the night with 28 possessions and two goals.

Bradd Dalziell was outstanding through the middle with 31 disposals, eight tackles and two goals as well while the O'Brien were at their usual productive selves. Captain Rory had 27 touches while Brock dominated across half-back with 21 touches and a terrific goal from 50.

Sean Henson ran hard on the wing for 24 touches and kicked two goals while Cameron Eardley gathered 25 possessions, Boston Williamson 21, Jordan Dorotich 18 and Jamie McNamara 18.

East Fremantle also had some exciting debutants with Jake Schleicher finishing with 17 touches and a goal, and Connor Regan 14 disposals and a goal as well. Andrew Stokes competed hard in the ruck against Paul Johnson with 15 touches, six marks and 10 hit outs.

It was a tough night for East Perth but Johnson gave his all in the ruck ending up with 17 disposals, seven marks and 43 hit outs.

Kane Lucas racked up 31 possessions, Steven Payne 25, Garry Moss 20, Liam Duggan 19, Kyle Anderson 19, Alec Waterman 18, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls 17, Craig Wulff 17 and Tom Shanahan 17.

ROUND 1 WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
South Fremantle 14.6 (90) defeated West Perth 8.7 (55)
Subiaco 15.16 (106) defeated Claremont 9.7 (61)
Swan Districts 21.21 (147) defeated Perth 7.9 (51)
East Fremantle defeated East Perth

RESERVES
South Fremantle 8.13 (61) defeated West Perth 8.10 (58)
Subiaco 12.13 (85) defeated Claremont 11.8 (74)
Swan Districts 13.15 (93) defeated Perth 5.13 (43)
East Fremantle 10.3 (63) lost to East Perth 12.11 (83)

COLTS
South Fremantle 13.12 (90) defeated West Perth 7.14 (56)
Subiaco 10.3 (63) lost to Claremont 11.13 (79)
Swan Districts 11.8 (74) defeated Perth 5.9 (39)
East Fremantle 11.8 (74) defeated East Perth 6.9 (45)