NAIDOC Round McDonald’s WAFL Wrap Up

THE top four WAFL teams all recorded victories on Saturday as part of NAIDOC Round with Subiaco, West Perth, Peel Thunder and Claremont all taking another step towards giving the finals positions some clarity.

All four matches took place on Saturday afternoon with Subiaco beating East Perth 12.13 (85) to 9.8 (62) at Medibank Stadium, Peel Thunder defeating East Fremantle 14.8 (92) to 8.18 (66) at Bendigo Bank Stadium, West Perth downing Perth 14.25 (109) to 9.6 (60) at Lathlain Park and Claremont holding on to beat Claremont 9.10 (64) to 8.12 (60) at the Showground.

The NAIDOC Round results leave Subiaco (12-2) three games clear on top ahead of West Perth (9-4), Peel Thunder (8-6) and Claremont (7-6).

Swan Districts (7-7) remains in fifth position despite the bye with South Fremantle (7-7) and East Perth (6-8) not far behind. East Fremantle (5-9) and Perth (1-13) then hold up the ladder with both on significant losing streaks.

Click here for the summary of Round 16 of the WAFL

TEAM OF THE WEEK
BACK: Jack Beeck (C), Jordan Lockyer (S), Tanner Smith (PT)
HALF-BACK: Andrew Strijk (WP), Scott Worthington (S), Matthew Davies (C)
CENTRE: Aaron Black (WP), Ed Langdon (PT), Ryan Neates (C)
HALF-FORWARD: Mitch Morton (P), Michael Wood (S), Hayden Crozier (PT)
FORWARD: Jonathon Griffin (PT), Michael Lourey (WP), Jack Bradshaw (C)
RUCK: Chris Keunen (WP), Shane Nelson (WP), Brendan Lee (EP)
INTERCHANGE: Jacob Green (EF), Brendan Verrier (SF), Sam Menegola (S), Steven Payne (EP)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Matthew Davies had to bide his time for a regular league opportunity at Claremont through the Tigers’ dominance between 2010 and 2013 when they won four straight minor premierships, two flags and played in three grand finals.

However, now he has become one of Claremont’s most important players having played all 24 games of 2013, including the Foxtel Cup, 18 in 2014 and all 13 of 2015.

Not only has he cemented his spot, but the 23-year-old left-footer has been as instrumental as anyone in Claremont’s outstanding recent form winning seven of its last eight games with his ability to set up play coming out of the back-line.

With his ability to read the play, find space, rack up plenty of possessions and use his precision left boot expertly, Davies is a big reason why the Tigers are heading for the finals and he had another 28 possessions in Saturday’s win over South Fremantle.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
Claremont got off to a flying start with seven goals to two in the first quarter, and while the Tigers managed just two more the rest of the game, it was enough to hold on for a four-point win over South Fremantle to improve to fourth position on the ladder.

Jack Bradshaw kicked two of Claremont’s seven goals in the first quarter and then the small forward booted the Tigers only two after that point, both in the third term, to give him four for the match from eight kicks.

Beau Maister and Kepler Bradley both kicked two goals apiece for the Tigers with Ian Richardson working hard as a hard-leading half-forward with 19 possessions and six marks.

Claremont had a host of strong performers through the midfield led by State representative Ryan Neates who finished with 31 possessions, eight inside 50s, five marks and four tackles.

Corey Yeo racked up another 27 disposals and Tom Ledger 25 with Mitch Andrews (16 touches, five marks, 18 hit outs) and Mark Seaby (14 disposals, five marks, 22 hit outs) solid in the ruck despite the strong opposition from Brock Higgins.

Claremont’s defence was also terrific with Jack Beeck limiting the influence of Cory Dell’Olio, Brandon Franz and Jordan McAllister holding down the key position posts, and then Matthew Davies racking up 28 possessions and Oliver Tate 24.

Brendan Verrier put in a tremendous hard working performance on the wing for South Fremantle racking up a game-high 33 possessions while driving the ball inside-50 on four occasions.

Ashton Hams continued his terrific form with another 30 disposals and eight marks for the Bulldogs while Tim Kelly played likely his best game of the season coinciding with NAIDOC Round racking up 30 touches, seven inside 50s, six marks and four tackles.

Marlion Pickett again gave terrific run off half-back with 22 possessions with Blayne Wilson solid despite giving up size on either Kepler Bradley or Beau Maister for much of the day. Wilson also had 21 touches and eight marks.

Captain Ryan Cook also worked hard with 19 possessions and six inside-50 entries with Adam Carter picking up 18 disposals and Kyle Hams 18.

Brock Higgins worked tirelessly in the ruck up against premiership pair Mitch Andrews and Mark Seaby, and was able to hold his own with 11 touches and 22 hit outs despite giving up plenty of size and without any help.

Haiden Schloithe was again South Fremantle’s most dangerous option in attack kicking three second half goals with Ben Saunders and Jacob Dragovich out injured, and Josh Pullman and Paul Mugambwa looking for form and fitness in the reserves.

East Perth certainly made Subiaco earn it but in the end the Lions pulled away with five goals to two in the final quarter in the battle of the Medibank Stadium co-tenants to remain three games clear on top of the WAFL ladder.

Despite missing Lachlan Delahunty, Matt Boland, Rhys Waters and Chris Deluca from the forward-line, Darren Rumble and Wayde Twomey from defence, and David Madut from the ruck, Subiaco still had enough depth to record the 23-point victory.

The Lions midfield was again terrific with Leigh Kitchin leading the way with 25 possessions and eight marks with Brett Robinson racking up 26 disposals, six marks, five inside-50 entries and a goal.

Sam Menegola had another 22 touches, 10 tackles, eight marks, five inside 50s and two goals for Subiaco with captain Kyal Horsley gathering 20 possessions and Chris Phelan 17.

The undermanned forward-line still found a way to end up with 12 goals led by Michael Wood who kicked three to go with 18 possessions and five marks. Kyle Halligan also kicked three goals from eight kicks.

Subiaco’s defence again held up well led by Jordan Lockyer (24 possessions, nine marks, eight tackles) and Scott Worthington (20 touches, six marks).

East Perth worked hard and for the second straight week had more possessions and inside-50 entries than their opponents, but didn’t have a key forward who could make an impact and ended up losing.

Co-captain Craig Wulff was East Perth’s only multiple goalkicker booting three majors from his 12 possessions.

Wulff’s co-captain Brendan Lee was terrific in the midfield for the Royals with 26 possessions, six inside 50s and a goal while reigning fairest and best Steven Payne racked up 30 disposals, Brant Colledge 29 and Garry Moss had 23 touches and eight marks across half-back.

Paul Johnson again worked hard in the ruck for the Royals and finished with 17 possessions, 31 hit outs and a goal while Fraser McInnes backed him up with 18 disposals, six marks, 10 tackles and 20 hit outs.

East Perth’s back-line had several strong performers as well with Paddy Brophy finishing with 20 possessions while Jackson Nelson had 19 touches, Corey Adamson 19 and Tom Barrass 14 to go with seven marks.

Peel Thunder got off to a slow start at home to East Fremantle on Saturday but finished strongly with five goals to one in the last quarter to end up winning by 26 points with some tremendous performances from AFL and WAFL-listed players alike.

Jonathon Griffin was superb both in the ruck and when resting forward for the Thunder ending up with 13 possessions, five marks, 31 hit outs and three goals.

Sean Hurley also went forward and kicked two goals for Peel with Leroy Jetta adding two majors and Gerald Ugle kicked two as well to go with 22 possessions and eight marks.

Ed Langdon returned to the Peel line-up and racked up 34 possessions and 13 marks while Cameron Sutcliffe finished with 30 disposals and nine marks, Jacob Ballard 28 and five tackles, Hayden Crozier 27, Brendon Jones 26, Connor Blakely 25, Josh Deluca 24, Brady Grey 23 and Lachie Weller 22.

Tanner Smith again was the star of Peel’s back-line as he continues to string the together the best run of form in his injury-plagued career.

East Fremantle might have now lost seven straight matches to fall further out of finals contention, but there was one great bright spot on Saturday and that was the debut of Jacob Green who compiled 26 possessions, six inside-50 entries and four marks.

Captain Rory O’Brien also worked tirelessly for the Sharks ending the afternoon against his old side with 31 possessions, six tackles and five marks while Jamie McNamara racked up 31 disposals, seven marks and five tackles.

Liam Anthony compiled 24 touches and five tackles as well for East Fremantle while Cameron Eardley added 27 disposals, seven inside-50 entries, six marks and a goal.

Brock O’Brien started the game on fire and ended up with 19 possessions and two goals but he also kicked five behinds after continually taking pot shots on goal from well outside 50.

Shane Nelson and Aaron Black finished one and two in the Sandover Medal count last year and both were again outstanding in Saturday’s big win over Perth with Nelson racking up another 38 possessions while Black finished with 33 disposals, 10 marks and three goals.

It is the first time that Black has kicked three goals in his 98-game league career.