Round 18 WAFL Wrap Up

THE top three WAFL teams all recorded victories on Saturday but two of them only did so by coming from behind at three quarter-time but the results do mean that the finals positions are now well and truly set after Round 18 of the 2014 season.

Conditions right across the four venues made it difficult to play attractive football but it certainly created for some fascinating fixtures.

In the end, East Perth beat West Perth 5.9 (39) to 2.6 (18) at Leederville’s Medibank Stadium, Subiaco defeated South Fremantle 13.15 (93) to 12.12 (84) at Fremantle Oval, Swan Districts downed Perth 11.11 (77) to 10.11 (71) and Claremont won over East Fremantle 7.10 (52) to 4.11 (35) at the Claremont Showground.

The round’s results mean that East Perth (13-2) remains clear on top of the ladder ahead of Subiaco (12-4), Swan Districts (12-4) and East Fremantle (10-6).

There is then a big gap back to the fifth-placed Claremont (7-9) followed by West Perth (6-9), South Fremantle (4-11), Perth (3-13) and Peel Thunder (3-12).

Click here for the summary of Round 18 of the WAFL

THE BIG WINNERS
The second-placed Subiaco and third-placed Swan Districts were both in trouble on Saturday at three quarter-time, but each of the finals bound teams proved too strong for their opponents languishing at the bottom of the table.

Subiaco was still 11 points behind South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on Saturday at three quarter-time, but took advantage of a Bulldogs team down two men on the bench and kicked five goals to two in the final quarter to win by nine points.

That kept the Lions in second position in the ladder and kept their hopes for the minor premiership still alive as well heading into this Saturday’s clash with the league-leading East Perth in the battle of the Medibank Stadium co-tenants.

Swan Districts, meanwhile, once again found itself all but dead and buried at three quarter-time against Perth at Steel Blue Oval.

Swans were 31 points behind the Demons at the last change, but managed to kick six goals to one in the final quarter to snatch the six-point victory and keep their hopes of a top two finish alive.

THE BIG LOSERS
East Fremantle had a chance to keep its hopes alive of still either earning a double chance or at least a home first semi-final with a win against Claremont at the Showground on Saturday, but the Sharks were never in the hunt.

East Fremantle was never in the contest against a Claremont team that is now in terrific form despite being all but out of finals contention.

Claremont again showed just how good a job coach Michael Broadbridge has done rebuilding a team in just half a season with the Tigers now the in-form team of the competition alongside East Perth.

However, East Fremantle will be disappointed to have missed a chance to give itself a chance of still finishing higher than fourth.

The good news, though, is that the Sharks look guaranteed of finishing in fourth position to return to the finals for the first time since losing the 2012 grand final to Claremont.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
East Perth maintained top spot on the ladder with a 21-point win over West Perth despite the horrible conditions at Medibank Stadium.

Despite kicking only five goals for the day, given the condition of the Leederville ground that was enough for the Royals to beat the Falcons by 21 points in the third grand final rematch of 2014 since West Perth claimed last year’s WAFL premiership.

Paul Johnson, Jamie Cripps, Fraser McInnes, Callum Sinclair and Josh Smith were East Perth’s goalkickers for the day in the huge puddles of water and mud-covered ground.

Steven Payne continued his breakout season on the wing for East Perth with another 32 possessions and six tackles.

Craig Wulff finished with another 28 disposals, six tackles and six inside 50s to possibly move one step closer to what would be a remarkable Sandover Medal victory for the 31-year-old veteran of 238 matches for East Perth.

Wulff’s fellow co-captain Brendan Lee also did well with 27 possessions and nine tackles with Sinclair adding 23 touches and 35 hit outs, and Johnson 14 disposals and 40 hit outs.

Blayne Wilson also had 19 touches and five marks for East Perth, Mitch Howlett 19 possessions and five tackles, Mitchell Fraser 18 disposals and five tackles and Freddie Clutterbuck 17 possessions, six tackles and four inside-50 entries.

Shane Nelson and Aaron Black both worked tirelessly in the midfield for West Perth in the atrocious conditions finishing with 22 possessions apiece.

As well as kicking a goal, Rohan Kerr played well with 20 disposals, five tackles and three inside-50 entries with Jordan Jones also finishing with 18 possessions, Brayden Antonio 17, Laine Rasmussen 16 and Marcus Adams 15.

Luke Tedesco, Matt Guadagnin and Jay van Berlo all fought hard laying seven tackles each with Rasmussen also laying six, and Adams, Ray Bartholomew and Drew Rohde five each.

Two players also made their official WAFL debuts for West Perth despite having made several Foxtel Cup appearances already. Max Alexander finished with seven points while Mitch van Berlo had 10 disposals and three tackles on debut.

Subiaco took three quarters to shake off South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval, but eventually did so thanks to a five-goal to two final quarter to win by nine points and remain in second position on the ladder, and remain a chance to take top spot from East Perth this Saturday.

Subiaco captain Kyal Horsley was again outstanding with 29 possessions, six inside-50 entries and a goal with ruckman Andrew McDougall again standing tall with 21 disposals, five marks, 31 hit outs, five inside 50s and two goals.

Rhys Waters and Matt Boland both also kicked two goals apiece for the Lions.

Jason Bristow worked hard on the ball for 22 disposals and seven tackles for Subiaco with George Hampson adding 22 possessions, Wayde Twomey 19, Waters 16 and Simon Moore 16 to go with seven tackles and the match-sealing goal late in the final quarter.

Jarrod Parry played the best game of his 15-match league career with the Bulldogs finishing with 32 possessions and eight marks.

Alistair Gillespie was also playing just his fourth league match of the year and again impressed at centre half-forward and with stints in the ruck finishing with 22 possessions, eight marks, nine hit outs, six inside-50 entries and two goals.

No. 1 ruckman Brock Higgins again worked hard for the Bulldogs with 24 touches, six marks and 29 hit outs.

Haiden Schloithe gathered another 24 possessions for South Fremantle with Shaun Bewick finishing with 22 disposals, Tim Kelly 22 (and 10 tackles), Brendan Verrier 22 and James Sellar 18 to go with eight marks and 10 hit outs.

Craig White kicked another three goals as well for the Bulldogs with Saunders and Anthony Collica adding two apiece.

For the second time in its last five matches, Swan Districts was disappointing for three quarters against a team near the bottom of the ladder falling 31 points behind Perth at home on Saturday, but again the black-and-whites found a way to win.

Like they did back at Fremantle Oval in Round 13 to beat South Fremantle, Swans delivered a stunning last quarter kicking six goals to one to prevail by six points in what is a crucial victory.

Graham Jetta led the way all day for Swan Districts with a best on ground performance in his 101st match for Swan Districts finishing with 28 possessions, six marks, four tackles and a goal.

Aaron Elari wasn’t far behind in the running for best on ground honours as he haunted his former side with 24 possessions, seven tackles, five marks, three inside 50s and two goals.

Another former Perth player, half-forward Matthew Rogers was also a strong contributor for the black-and-whites with 20 disposals and a goal.

Full-forward Ricky Cary booted three goals from 12 touches and six marks.