Round 13 McDonald's WAFL Wrap UpWednesday, June 24, 2015 - 2:34 AM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO remained three games clear on top of the ladder seeing off the challenge of the on-fire Claremont in Round 13 WAFL action on Saturday while West Perth moved a game clear in second and Swan Districts moved up into third spot, and East Perth to fourth.

All four WAFL matches in Round 13 were on Saturday afternoon starting at the Claremont Showground with Subiaco winning an eighth straight match and ending Claremont's five game winning run, with the Lions prevailing 10.15 (75) to 5.8 (38).

West Perth then moved a game clear in second position by beating South Fremantle 9.17 (71) to 8.8 (56) at Joondalup's HBF Arena to retain the Garlic Munchers Cup.

East Perth moved up into fourth position by beating East Fremantle at Leederville's Medibank Stadium 14.10 (94) to 11.7 (73) and Swan Districts defeated Perth 12.10 (82) to 7.9 (51) at Lathlain Park to improve to third spot on the WAFL ladder.

Following 13 rounds, Subiaco (10-1) is right out on top of the ladder with West Perth (7-4) in second followed by Swan Districts (6-6), East Perth (6-6) and Peel Thunder (6-5).

South Fremantle (6-6) has slipped just outside of the top five followed by Claremont (5-6), East Fremantle (5-7) and Perth (1-11).

Click here for the summary of Round 13 of the WAFL 

TEAM OF THE WEEK
BACK: Nathan Blee (EP), Marcus Adams (WP), Matthew Davies (C)
HALF-BACK: Steven Browne (WP), Blayne Wilson (SF), Jacob Burnham (SD)
CENTRE: Steven Payne (EP), Sam Menegola (S), Kane Lucas (EP)
HALF-FORWARD: Haiden Schloithe (SF), Fraser McInnes (EP), Ryan Davis (SD)
FORWARD: Murray Newman (EP), Shane Yarran (S), Callum Collard (P)
RUCK: Nathan Blakely (SD), Mark Hutchings (EP), Matt Riggio (SD)
INTERCHANGE: Matt Guadagnin (WP), Ashton Hams (SF), Corey Yeo (C), Chris Phelan (S)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Marcus Adams has proven his value to West Perth the past three weeks upon return from a broken hand and was pretty close to best on ground again in Saturday's 15-point win over South Fremantle at HBF Arena.

The 21-year-old former Swan Districts powerhouse arrived at West Perth last year and had a good first season with his new club mostly a centre half-forward, but he finished 2014 with some outstanding form in defence and that's where he has carried on in 2015.

Adams reads the play well, rarely loses one-on-one contests due to his combination of speed and power, and has become outstanding at intercepting attacks from the opposition.

He had 23 possessions and eight marks while also keeping Josh Pullman and James Sellar quiet on Saturday, and could very well be West Perth's most important player as they look towards another finals appearance.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
Claremont and Subiaco entered Saturday's clash at the Showground on hot winning form but it was the reigning premier Lions who proved too good to win an eighth straight match beating a Tigers team who'd been on a five-game winning run by 37 points.

Subiaco might have had less disposals than Claremont, but was far more efficient with 53 entries inside the forward 50 to just 37 from while ending up with a dominant 21 scoring shots to 10.

The back-line might have been missing five-time premiership full-back Darren Rumble, but Declan Jackson, Jordan Lockyer, Charles Le Fanu, Hayden Kennedy, Aaron Heal and Joel Latham did well keeping Beau Maister, Shane McAdam, Kepler Bradley, Jack Bradshaw and Ian Richardson to a combined three goals.

Sam Menegola once again put in a best on ground performance for Subiaco to continue his remarkable entry into the Lions team after missing most of the first half of the season. He had another 29 possessions, eight tackles, seven inside-50 entries and two goals against Claremont.

State midfielder Chris Phelan was also terrific for the Lions with 24 disposals to go with five tackles while captain Kyal Horsley came in and played his first league game since Round 3 and was a strong contributor with 22 touches.

Brett Robinson shook off a foot injury from the previous week against South Fremantle to not only take his place, but perform well with 18 possessions and six inside-50 entries.

Subiaco also had enough options to kick a winning score in attack with Shane Yarran booting three majors, Michael Wood two with Lachlan Delahunty and Kyle Halligan chipping in with singles, as did midfielder Leigh Kitchin.

Claremont wasn’t able to replicate its form that had seen it win five straight matches and only kicking five goals with singles to Richardson, Keifer Yu, Bradshaw, Anton Hamp and Maister was never going to get the job done.

Mark Seaby wasn’t able to keep up his dominant form in the ruck either even if Mitch Andrews came in and worked hard for 14 possessions and 27 hit outs.

Tom Ledger again worked tirelessly in the midfield for Claremont with 30 possessions while Corey Yeo continued his outstanding form with 27 disposals and seven tackles.

Yu also finished the afternoon with 24 touches and Ryan Neates had it 24 times, Matthew Davies 22 and Jack Beeck 18.

Not only did West Perth's win over South Fremantle consolidate second position on the ladder further, but it also saw the Falcons retain the annual Garlic Munchers Cup by winning.

While Michael Lourey and Tyler Keitel might have gone goalless in attack for West Perth, finding avenues to score wasn’t a problem with the Falcons' mid-size forward again proving dangerous.

Kody Manning was terrific in the first half kicking three goals and then Corey Chalmers chipped in with two while Keitel had his chances opposed to Blayne Wilson, but managed to kick four behinds from his six kicks.

The Falcons' defence was outstanding with Marcus Adams and Nick Rodda playing in the key posts, and keeping the Bulldogs targets James Sellar and Josh Pullman quiet, and keeping them to a combined one goal.

Adams also did well setting up attacks going the other way finishing with 23 possessions and eight marks while Steven Browne and Luke Tedesco also provided strong leadership in the back-line. Browne also had 23 possessions.

Aaron Black worked hard through the middle finishing with 27 possessions for West Perth with Matt Guadagnin outstanding with 24 disposals and six tackles. Andrew Strijk also racked up 24 touches, Shane Nelson 23, Jay van Berlo 22, Aidan Lynch 21 and Kris Shannon 19. 

Chris Keunen also worked hard in a longhand in the ruck finishing with 10 possessions and 38 hit outs.

South Fremantle's forward-line was already missing dual Bernie Naylor Medallist Ben Saunders (hamstring) and premiership state small forward Cory Dell'Olio (calf), and then with key targets Josh Pullman, James Sellar and Paul Mugambwa combining for one goal, the Bulldogs struggled in attack.

Haiden Schloithe ended up being the Bulldogs' only multiple goalkicker ending up booting four goals in his second game back from an ankle injury that had kept him sidelined since the Good Friday victory over Claremont. Schloithe's four goals came from five kicks.

Despite the loss, South Fremantle's back-line held up well with Blayne Wilson outstanding not only holding Tyler Keitel goalless, but finishing with 26 possessions and six marks.

Zac Strom also came back into the Bulldogs team and did a terrific job keeping Michael Lourey not only goalless, but to just three kicks for the game while 100-gamer Guglielmana and Adam McIntosh helped to keep Matt Johnson and Steve Potente to one goal apiece.

Ashton Hams again worked tirelessly all afternoon for the Bulldogs with 30 possessions, six tackles, four inside-50 entries and a goal while captain Ryan Cook amassed 26 disposals to go with eight marks and five inside 50s.

Marlion Pickett provided good run and drive out of defence for South Fremantle with 22 disposals with Tim Kelly collecting 20 touches, Kyle Hams 20, Steven Verrier 17 and Jacob Dragovich 17.

Brock Higgins battled away manfully in the ruck finishing the game with 14 possessions and 35 hit outs.

East Perth responded from a loss the previous Sunday to Peel Thunder by outplaying the struggling East Fremantle in the first and last quarters at Medibank Stadium on Saturday to win by 21 points and improve to fourth position, while the Sharks are losing touch having lost five straight.

Murray Newman regained some impressive form for East Perth as a small forward and kicked three goals from 14 possessions and seven marks while Fraser McInnes worked hard both up forward and in the ruck, finishing with 16 disposals, 15 hit outs and two goals.

Co-captain Craig Wulff also kicked two goals from 20 possessions for East Perth while Mark Hutchings was the other multiple goalscorer with two as he delivered a best on ground performance in the midfield with 31 possessions and six tackles as well.

Kane Lucas also is continuing to build a strong body of work in his first season with West Coast while playing with East Perth, collecting another 30 possessions to go with six marks and four inside-50 entries.

Paul Johnson had another strong game in the ruck with 16 touches and 38 hit outs with Steven Payne amassing 28 possessions, Brendan Lee 24, Nathan Blee 21 and Mitch Fraser 18.

It was another tough afternoon in the end for East Fremantle despite some outstanding performances in the midfield.

Captain Rory O'Brien battled away for 33 possessions for East Fremantle in his 100th game with the Sharks, and 192nd overall split between there and Peel Thunder.

Jamie McNamara also had 30 disposals, seven marks and seven inside-50 entries, Liam Anthony 27 touches, eight marks and two goals, Cameron Eardley 25 possessions and two goals, and Sean Henson 21 touches and a goal.

However, despite the amount of ball those midfielders won, their misfiring forward-line failed to capitalise with Jack Perham, Rob Young and Julian Locantro all goalless.

Swan Districts kicked the only two goals of the first quarter and then the first of the third to be appear on track for a comfortable and important win over Perth at Lathlain Park, but the Demons had other ideas with five goals to two in the second term to lead at half-time.

However, Swans dominated the second half with eight goals to two to end up winning by 31 points to rise to third position on the WAFL ladder.

Veteran premiership centre half-forward Tim Geappen kicked three of the first four goals of the game for Swans and finished with 17 possessions and five marks while Matthew Jukes, Ricky Cary and Matt Rogers all helped to make for a lively forward-line booting two goals apiece.

Matt Riggio also kicked two goals for Swans to go with a strong performance in the midfield where he racked up 25 possessions, took eight marks and drove the ball inside-50 on seven occasions.

Simpson Medallist Ryan Davis also worked hard for the black-and-whites finishing with 23 disposals, 10 tackles and 12 inside-50 entries while Aaron Elari was one of a host of players in the game up against his old club, and had 25 touches.

Jacob Burnham was outstanding and creative off half-back for Swans also with 26 possessions while Tony Notte had a strong influence on the contest with 18 touches and nine marks in his 151st appearance for Swan Districts.

Nathan Blakely did well in the ruck finishing with 15 possessions, seven tackles and 44 hit outs even though former Swan Districts defender and makeshift ruckman David Johnston worked hard up against him with 14 touches and 26 hit outs.

Callum Collard had a bright patch in the second quarter for Perth kicking his three goals with Mitch Morton also booting three, but the Demons did sorely miss the presence of the suspended Jarryd Morton who kicked seven goals the previous Sunday against Claremont.

Aidan Tropiano racked up another 29 possessions for Perth to continue his remarkable first full season for the Demons while captain Dene White worked hard for 26 disposals, six inside 50s and four tackles.

Two more 2015 recruits, Liam McKenna (25 possessions) and Jacob Payne (22) made strong contributions as well for the Demons with Jared Bell and Chris Billings solid in the back-line.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
Subiaco's reserves scored a comfortable 17.13 (115) to 10.7 (67) win over Claremont at the Showground as well on Saturday keeping the Tigers scoreless in the final quarter while the Lions kicked 4.6 themselves.

Cody Grace kicked three goals for Subiaco as did Jeremy Woodley while premiership full-forward Matt Boland played his first game of the season and kicked two. Craig Hoskins and Sean Bradley also booted two majors for the Lions.

Matt Bogensperger compiled 20 possessions, Simon Moore 19, Max Walters 19 and Hoskins 18.

Keegan Knott kicked four goals for Claremont and Matthew Palfrey two with Isaac Baum picking up 24 possessions and Ben Higgs 23.

South Fremantle's reserves remain on top of the ladder following a strong 14.11 (95) to 10.4 (64) win over West Perth at HBF Arena on Saturday.

Ben Sokol continued to work hard across half-forward with another four goals from 22 possessions and seven marks for the Bulldogs with John Sgherza, Kaiden Matera and Lachie Harris all kicking two majors apiece as well.

Toby Bairstow responded in style to losing his place in the league team for South Fremantle by amassing 38 possessions in the reserves while Shaun Bewick gathered 30 disposals, James Laurino 24, Matthew Gundry 22, Simon Panizza 22 and Sgherza 21.

Josh Branchi worked hard in the ruck with 31 hit outs to go with 10 touches and a goal.

Callum Papertalk kicked four goals for the Falcons from just five kicks while Brent Fotheringham continued to put his hand up for a league debut at his third WAFL club with another three goals from 17 disposals and seven marks.

Brayden Antonio also kicked two goals for West Perth to go with 26 possessions while Blake Wilhelm racked up 29 disposals, Trent Manzone 29, Broderick Walton 24. Tim Sutherland worked hard in the ruck with 12 touches, five marks and 29 hit outs.

East Perth's reserves recorded a thumping 20.9 (129) to 6.7 (43) win over East Fremantle at Medibank Stadium with Tom Shanahan (30 possessions, five goals) and Mitch Howlett (32 disposals, four goals) both dominating.

Kester Decke, Alex Ridley and Trent Bradshaw all kicked two goals each as well for the Royals with Zac Dent picking up 26 touches, Tom Hodgson 24, Tom Omodei 24, Dylan Main 21, Will Young 21 and Beau Chatley 21.

Tom Bowey and Adrian Ricciardello kicked two goals each for East Fremantle with Barry Barone finishing with 30 possessions, Dion Anthony 25 and Ricciardello 21.

Swan Districts' reserves beat Perth 15.16 (106) to 12.8 (80) on Saturday at Lathlain Park with Rudy Riddoch and Dylan Nelson all kicking five goals apiece for Swans.

Ben Whitsed amassed 29 possessions for the black-and-whites, David McKay 23, Jesse Turner 18 and Jason Daniels 18.

Callum Walley, Hayden Tanner and Kurtis Chester all kicked two goals each for Perth with Kayle Phillips collecting 20 possessions, Blake Borrett 19 (19 hit outs), Cameron Jones 18 and Chester 18.