Latest News

Round 19 McDonald's WAFL Wrap UpWednesday, August 5, 2015 - 10:46 PM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO moved four games clear on top of the WAFL ladder with a win in Round 19 of the 2015 season while East Perth consolidated fourth spot, Claremont moved into fifth and Perth ended its 11-game losing run by recording its second victory of the year.

Three of the four games took place on Saturday afternoon with Subiaco taking three quarters to shake off South Fremantle, but eventually doing so with seven goals to one in the last quarter to win 16.8 (104) to 9.6 (60) at Medibank Stadium.

Claremont kicked the first and last three goals at the Claremont Showground to score a crucial 13.11 (89) to 10.14 (74) win over Swan Districts while Perth defeated East Fremantle 13.10 (88) to 10.9 (69) at Lathlain Park.

Then on Sunday afternoon, East Perth won on the last goal of the game to beat West Perth 10.12 (72) to 9.14 (68) in a thriller at Medibank Stadium.

The round's results leave Subiaco (14-2) clear on top of the ladder with West Perth (10-6), Peel Thunder (10-6), East Perth (9-8) and Claremont (8-8) making up the rest of the top five.

Swan Districts (8-9) and South Fremantle (8-9) are just percentage out of the top five while East Fremantle (5-11) and Perth (2-15) make up the bottom two places.

Click here for the summary of Round 19 of the WAFL 

TEAM OF THE WEEK (times named this season)
BACK: Charles Le Fanu (S, 4), Marcus Adams (WP, 5), Jared Bell (P, 5)    
HALF-BACK: Sam Butler (EP, 1), Justin Simpson (SD, 5), Andrew Strijk (WP, 6)
CENTRE: Aaron Black (WP, 7), Corey Yeo (C, 6), Ryan Neates (C, 5)
HALF-FORWARD: Michael Wood (S, 3), Tom Lamb (EP, 1), Ashton Hams (SF, 7)
FORWARD: Brock O'Brien (EF, 8), Beau Maister (C, 1), Brennan Stack (P, 1)
RUCK: Paul Johnson (EP, 7), Sam Menegola (S, 7), Brendan Lee (EP, 7)
INTERCHANGE: Chris Phelan (S, 6), Patrick McGinnity (EP, 2), Liam McKenna (P, 4), Adam Faulkner (SD, 2)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sam Menegola continued his stunning and dominant form for Subiaco on Saturday with yet another best on ground performance as the Lions beat South Fremantle to move four games clear on top of the WAFL ladder.

Menegola was never able to crack it for an AFL debut in four years in the system split between Hawthorn and Fremantle, but when he was healthy while with the Dockers, he showed the ability at both East Fremantle and Peel to play some of the football he's now playing in 2015.

He likely would have received an AFL chance if the 23-year-old wasn’t cruelled by injury and again that saw him miss the first 10 rounds of the 2015 season after signing with Subiaco.

However, he came in with a bang in Round 11 for the Lions and now has continued on with eight dominant performances since and remarkably despite missing the first half of the season, is a real Sandover Medal prospect given the amount of five-vote performances he has now delivered.

He again was by far the best player on the ground on Saturday with 35 possessions 11 marks and three goals as Subiaco beat South Fremantle by 44 points, and while he could win a Sandover Medal, more importantly in this form it's another reason the Lions are the raging premiership favourites.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
Claremont and Swan Districts did battle over fifth position on Saturday at the Claremont Showground with little separating the two teams most of the afternoon.

Swans did look to be in a strong position midway through the last quarter, but then Claremont kicked the last three goals of the game to record the 15-point win to sit in fifth place and to push Swans outside of the top five.

Beau Maister played his best game of the season at full-forward for Claremont kicking four goals from 13 possessions and 10 marks with Jack Bradshaw adding an important three goals while Matthew Palfrey booted two.

Ryan Neates and Corey Yeo have had outstanding seasons in the midfield for Claremont, and both were terrific again on Saturday with Neates finishing with 33 possessions and nine inside 50s, and Yeo 32 disposals, seven marks, seven inside-50 entries and a goal.

Captain Jake Murphy continues to build form as well now that he's back from injury and he had 26 possessions, seven marks and a goal in the win on Saturday while Tom Swift hasn’t had the return season he hoped either, but he's now building form with another 23 touches to go with six inside-50 entries and five tackles.

Ryan Lim also had 22 possessions for the Tigers, Ian Richardson 20 and Keifer Yu 18 with Mitch Andrews replacing Mark Seaby in the ruck and finishing the afternoon with 14 disposals and 41 hit outs.

Ricky Cary worked hard from full-forward for Swan Districts finishing with 17 possessions, nine marks and three goals with Rudy Riddoch also booting two majors for the black-and-whites.

Adam Faulkner worked tirelessly in the midfield for Swans and racked up 33 possessions and seven marks with Aaron Elari also finishing with 32 disposals, 10 marks and seven inside-50 entries.

Matt Riggio also amassed 29 touches for Swan Districts to go with eight inside 50s, six marks and five tackles.

Swans' back-line provided good rebound led by Justin Simpson who had 24 possessions and nine marks in his first game since Round 10 thanks to a thumb injury. Jacob Burnham also had 22 possessions and Nathan Broad 21 out of defence for the black-and-whites.

Subiaco trailed South Fremantle for much of the first half on Saturday and only led by a goal at three quarter-time, but put its foot down in the last term to win by 44 points and again it was Sam Menegola the star with 35 possessions, 11 marks, eight inside-50 entries and three goals.

Michael Wood stood up in the absence of Lachlan Delahunty, Rhys Waters and then Matt Boland from early in the game to kick five goals for the Lions with Kyle Halligan also adding two majors.

Chris Phelan continued his outstanding consistent season in the midfield for Subiaco with another 26 possessions, eight tackles, four inside 50s and a goal while Scott Hancock has enjoyed his move from East Fremantle with another 24 disposals.

Brett Robinson returned to the Subiaco team and had 23 possessions, seven marks and a goal with captain Kyal Horsley gathering 21 touches and laying six tackles and Clancy Wheeler provided a strong centre half-forward target with 19 disposals, seven marks and nine hit outs.

Charles Le Fanu was terrific in the back-line holding Cory Dell'Olio to nine touches and one goal with Jordan Lockyer, Aaron Heal, Hayden Kennedy, Darren Rumble and Wayde Twomey forming a strong defensive unit.

Jordan Bestry again worked hard in the ruck to finish with 13 possessions, five marks and 32 hit outs.

Ashton Hams was celebrating his 150th game with the Bulldogs to earn life membership at South Fremantle and he worked tirelessly all afternoon finishing with 36 possessions, five marks, four tackles, three inside 50s and a goal.

Josh Pullman provided a strong target in attack for the Bulldogs kicking three goals from 10 possessions and seven marks while Haiden Schloithe added two majors from 17 disposals and six inside-50 entries.

Jarrod Parry returned from a foot injury and worked hard in the midfield for 23 possessions in his first game since Round 13 as well for South Fremantle with Tim Kelly also gathering 21 disposals and Anthony Collica 20 in his first game since Round 5.

Jacob Dragovich worked hard across half-forward for South Fremantle with 19 possessions and a goal while in the back-line Adam Guglielmana had 18 disposals and Marlion Pickett 17.

Josh Branchi toiled hard in the ruck with some support from Brock Higgins ending up with 11 possessions, four marks and 32 hit outs in just his fifth league appearance.

South Fremantle's day was also further soured with a shoulder injury to dual premiership veteran Craig White in the dying minutes with Blayne Wilson, Steven Verrier and Ryan Cook already on the injured list.

Perth ended up winning over East Fremantle with the Sharks now having lost nine straight since winning five of the first seven games of the season, and rightfully believing they were genuine contenders after narrowly losing last year's preliminary final.

However, the loss to Perth is yet another blow for East Fremantle in a season that is ending horribly with caretaker coach Brad Dodd still winless since replacing Steve Malaxos.

Perth scored its first win since beating Claremont in Round 5 for the Demons second win of the year, and second in their last 31 matches.

Hard working midfielders Liam McKenna (32 possessions, two goals) and Aidan Tropiano (31 touches) were again terrific while Jarryd Morton finished with 31 disposals and 10 marks despite spending time on Brock O'Brien in defence.

Brennan Stack kicked four goals for the Demons with Callum Walley and Michael Sinclair both kicking two while Jared Bell was again terrific in defence with 23 touches.

Brock O'Brien kicked five goals for East Fremantle with Liam Anthony collecting 35 possessions, Matthew Bannister 24, Rory O'Brien 23, Cameron Eardley 22 and Jamie McNamara 21.

Tom Lamb was the key focal point in attack all day for East Perth and he ended up kicking four goals to go with 16 possessions and seven marks.

Ruckman Paul Johnson was also terrific with two goals to go with 15 disposals and 27 hit outs.

Patrick McGinnity showed he's not far away from an AFL call up for the Eagles with another strong showing with 30 possessions, seven tackles and a goal.

Royals co-captain Brendan Lee worked tirelessly all day and finished with 28 possessions and a goal with Steven Payne collecting 28 disposals, Sam Butler 24, Mitch Fraser 21, Corey Adamson 21 and Nathan Blee 19 in defence while having a good battle with Lourey.

Reigning Sandover Medallist Aaron Black was West Perth's best working hard all afternoon both on the wing and on the ball finishing with 29 possessions, nine marks and a goal.

Michael Lourey ended up kicking three goals for West Perth from 13 possessions and six marks, but he was the Falcons' only multiple goalscorer.

Andrew Strijk worked hard for West Perth with 25 possessions and 11 marks with Ray Bartholomew playing his best game of the season with 24 disposals and 10 marks.

Laine Rasmussen finished with 21 touches, Steven Browne 19 and Marcus Adams 19 along with 13 marks and six tackles as he started the game running with Brant Colledge, and finished off on a wing.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
Swan Districts' reserves beat Claremont on Saturday at the Claremont Showground 11.11 (77) to 9.8 (62) to move to second spot on the ladder.

Dylan Nelson kicked three goals for Swans with Chad Daniels, Steven Wityk and Nelson Ansey all adding two apiece.

Albert Dean compiled 33 possessions for the black-and-whites, Jacob Coniglio 33, Ben Whitsed 28, Roderick Manton 25 and Tom Smirk 22. Troy Yukich had 40 hit outs.

Keegan Knott and Eddie Simpson kicked two goals each for Claremont with Tom Willett gathering 24 possessions, Matthew Goyder 22, John Williams 21, Bailey Rogers 21 and Chaz Flint 20.

South Fremantle maintained its hold on top of the reserves ladder beating Subiaco 12.11 (83) to 11.9 (75) at Medibank Stadium on Saturday.

Kaiden Matera and Kade Stewart kicked three goals each for South Fremantle with John Sgherza adding two while James Laurino racked up 35 possessions, Tim Stewart 31, Brendan Verrier 30, Matthew Gundry 19, Dylan Ross 19 and Bailey Matera 19. 

Shane Yarran might be leading the league's goalkicking race but he found himself in the reserves on Saturday and kicked three goals for Subiaco with Mitch McPhee adding two.

Matt Bogensperger had 22 possessions for the Lions, Max Walters 22, Braden Fimmano 19 and Reece Blechynden 18 while David Madut had 48 hit outs in the ruck.

East Fremantle's reserves won a thriller over an inaccurate Perth 11.11 (77) to 9.20 (74) at Lathlain Park with Brandon Ellis kicking four goals for the Sharks with Jeff Carter adding two and Tom Bowey two.

Sean Henson had 30 possessions for East Fremantle, Jake Schleicher 25, Jack Perham 22, Dylan Coulthard 19, Aaron Holmes and Carl Green 19.

Lachlan Dennis, Blake Borrett and Kayle Phillips all kicked two goals for Perth with Kieran Hug racking up 30 disposals, Brent Edmonds 31, Scott Moore 24, Mitchell Henderson 21 and Hayden Tanner 19.

Meanwhile, East Perth's reserves consolidated their place in the top five with a 14.14 (98) to 11.4 (70) win over West Perth at Medibank Stadium.

Daniel Perkins kicked three goals from 22 possessions and 11 marks for East Perth with Tom Shanahan outstanding with 33 disposals and two goals. Kester Decker also kicked two goals for the Royals.

Rowell Powell racked up 30 touches for East Perth, Mitch Howlett 25, Tom Gorter 23 and Brandon Hughes 19.

Tyson Moulton kicked four goals for West Perth and Chris Franklin two while Troy Manners gathered 24 possessions, Dean Munns 23 (17 tackles), Martin Geraghty 19 and Mitch Peirce 17.

Max Alexander (seven possessions, three marks) and Marc Crisp (seven disposals, one goal) both made successful returns as well for West Perth after long injury layoffs.

REDiMED COLTS RISING STARS
Claremont's colts scored a 10.13 (73) to 7.5 (47) win over Swan Districts at the Claremont Showground in a battle of the top two teams, and in a rematch of last year's grand final.

Declan Mountford and Russell Wynne kicked three goals each for the Tigers with Tom Gajewski also booting two while Mountford racked up 25 possessions, Matt Guelfi 25, Gajewski 22, Sam Petrevski-Seton 22, Wynne 21, Aden Wilkins 21 and Ryan Murphy 20. Jeremy Goddard had 37 hit outs.

Lochie Huntley kicked two goals for Swan Districts with Aidan Clarke gathering 26 possessions, Levi Ridley 22, Brayden Hackett 18 and Vincent Adams 18.

South Fremantle's colts beat Subiaco 10.10 (70) to 6.5 (41) at Medibank Stadium to improve to fourth spot on the ladder with Brandon Colbung kicking three goals, Jake Florenca two and Brandon Donaldson two.

Florenca compiled 34 possessions for the Bulldogs, Daniel Burke 30, Donaldson 23, Jesse Mudge 21, Miles Barritt 20, Jamie Foster 20 and Dylan Brown 19.

Luke Halligan kicked three goals for Subiaco with Jack Beverley gathering 27 possessions, Ethan Burnett 26, Bailey Nylander 24, Sean Foley 21 and Josh Hatch 20.

East Fremantle's colts remained in third position on the ladder with a nail-biting 8.9 (57) to 8.8 (56) victory at Lathlain Park.

Luke Strnadica and Sam Lewis kicked two goals each for the Sharks while Jordan Snadden picked up 22 disposals, Oliver Parish 20, Peter Delaney 20, Tom Bennett 19 and Nick Menegola 18.

Quinton Narkle and Corey Byrne kicked two majors each for Perth with Byrne also racking up 25 possessions, Chapman Jones 19 and Zareth Roe 17.

East Perth's colts started off the day at Medibank Stadium beating West Perth 13.6 (84) to 10.11 (71) with Mitch Dobson outstanding for the Royals with 27 possessions and four goals.

Jake Dugan, Nathan Eaton and Daniel Russo all kicked two apiece for East Perth with Stan Wright gathering 23 possessions, Tarir Bayok 23 and Jake Lewis 17.

Ethan Mullane kicked three goals for West Perth with Ethan Hills adding two but it was Clint Hinchcliffe who was the star for the Falcons with 36 possessions, six tackles, 14 entries inside-50 and two goals.