10 Things we Learned: WAFLW epic, Hine-Baston the hero, WAFL comebacks and more

We take a look at the talking points across the Sullivan Logistics WAFL, ATCO WAFLW and EGT WAFL Colts in our weekly column.

Souths extinguish Swans’ finals flame

South Fremantle ended Swan Districts’ finals hopes with a stunning comeback win at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

The Bulldogs trailed at every change in the low-scoring affair before storming home with a four-goals-to-none final term to prevail by 11 points.

Simpson medallist Hamish Free was dominant in the ruck, tallying 42 hit-outs to go with 23 disposals and eight clearances, while Jake Florenca and Tom Blechynden did the damage in the midfield and Isiah Winder impressed in the engine-room and up forward where he kicked a crucial final-quarter goal.

Former Big Bash cricketer Clint Hinchliffe was the Black Ducks’ best, continuing his brilliant debut season at the club with a career-high 33 disposals and nine clearances, with defender Brandon Erceg also important.

The add injury to insult, captain and reigning Swan Medal winner Jesse Turner suffered a hamstring injury before half-time and didn’t take any further part in the match.

Hine-Baston the hero for Demons

Young gun Oscar Hine-Baston came up clutch in Perth’s come-from-behind victory over East Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

Hine-Baston slotted through the match-winning goal in the dying seconds as the Demons recovered from a 24-point deficit late in the third quarter to win by three.

Bernie Naylor Medal leader Aaron Clarke was also important late, kicking two final-quarter goals to take his season tally to 43, six ahead of second-placed West Perth veteran and five-time winner Tyler Keitel.

At the other end, former Collingwood defender Charlie Dean was instrumental, reeling in 14 marks in his 23-possession performance.

Dynamic midfielder duo Brandan Parfitt (23 disposals, four clearances and a goal) and Charlie Constable (22, six inside 50s and four clearances) did their bit in the midfield, while youngster Jack Cleaver worked hard for East Fremantle with a game-high 24 disposals and 10 tackles.

 

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Lions on the charge in WAFLW

Subiaco’s late-season surge has continued in the ATCO WAFLW, knocking off reigning premiers Claremont by one point in an epic clash at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Sunday.

Eva Popovsky was the hero for the Lions, kicking the match-winning goal midway through the final term.

Subiaco’s midfield trio of Paige Sheppard, Lisa Steane and reigning Dhara Kerr Medal winner Krstel Petrevski starred once again, combining for 85 disposals, 29 tackles, 20 clearances and 13 inside 50s, with former Eagle Annabel Johnson also impressing with 22 disposals and two goals.

Former West Coast star Hayley Bullas, two-time Dhara Kerr Medal winner Jayme Harken and ruck Matilda Husband were the Tigers’ best.

Subi win see-sawing affair

Subiaco got over the line last against an improved West Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

In a crazy contest with 14 lead changes, the Lions kicked the last three goals to overcome a seven-point final-quarter deficit.

Ryan Borchet celebrated his return from a wrist injury with a four-goal performance for Subiaco and reigning fairest-and-best winner Jack Mayo also kicked four, while five-time Bernie Naylor Medal winner Tyler Keitel did the damage for the Falcons with 4.5.

Skipper Greg Clark (28 disposals and four clearances) led the way for Subiaco.

Young gun Kane Bevan couldn’t have done much more in his return for West Perth, tallying 33 disposals, nine clearances, kicking a goal and taking a Kia Mark of the Week contender.

 

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The Chace is on

Bottom-ager Chace Vanderhoek is the player to beat in the Jack Clarke Medal race.

The South Fremantle young gun produced another best-on-ground performance in Saturday’s EGT WAFL Colts win over Swan Districts in Fremantle.

Vanderhoek racked up 29 disposals, seven clearances and kicked two goals in a brilliant display.

He’s tallied 355 disposals for the season, 30 more than any other player in the competition.

The Bulldogs are now two games clear atop the Colts ladder ahead of their bye this weekend.

State 18s guns return in Colts

With the AFL National Under-18s Championships done for another year, the EGT WAFL Colts welcomed back a host of WA State 18s stars.

Bottom-ager James Artemis was instrumental in East Fremantle’s win over Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday night with 21 disposals, 13 tackles six inside 50s and a goal as his AFL Draft stocks for next year continue to rise, while State teammates Finlay Yeo (20 disposals and six tackles) and Marcus Motton (19 and four rebound 50s) also performed strongly

Livewire forward Cam Maynard produced an eye-catching three-goal performance in ladder leaders South Fremantle’s victory over Swan Districts, with Byron Foster (20 disposals and 17 hit-outs) important in the ruck.

Pocket rocket Kyan Perera was among the best in Subiaco’s hard-fought win over West Perth.

Young Falcon pushes case for senior debut

West Perth blooded exciting tall forward Harvey Spawton-Guy in the Reserves and he didn’t disappoint.

Spawton-Guy booted 3.2 and took nine marks to be named among the best in Saturday’s win over Subiaco to push his case for a senior debut.

The 196cm talent is coming off a strong AFL National Under-18s Championships campaign for WA, kicking six goals and averaging four marks per game across the carnival.

Coach Paul Sanzone hasn’t been afraid to debut youngsters in the seniors, with draftees Sam Swadling and Jacob Farrow both getting opportunities at league level after the Under-18s Champs last year.

WAFLW young guns earn All-Australian honours

WA pair Cara Dziegielewski and Mia Carlshausen have been rewarded for their strong AFLW National Under-18s Championships with selection in the All-Australian Team.

West Perth product Dziegielewski was the Black Swans’ standout for the carnival, impressing with her consistent impact in the ruck across the four games.

She finished the carnival with 21 disposals, 44 hit-outs and six tackles in another sensational performance against the Allies, averaging 16.5 disposals, 32 hit-outs and 5.5 tackles over the four games.

Dziegielewski, who also took out the State 18s Girls MVP Award, was joined in the AFLW Under-18s All-Australian Team by Demons defender Carlshausen.

It was her second All-Australian selection in as many years.

AFLW Draft prospects making their mark in WAFLW

West Perth pair Lexi Strachan and Cara Dziegielewski were among the AFLW Draft prospects to shine in their return to the ATCO WAFLW competition over the weekend.

WA co-captain Strachan racked up a game-high 28 disposals, seven marks, four clearances and a goal in her return from State 18s duties in the Falcons’ loss to Perth at HIF Health Insurance Oval on Saturday, while Dziegielewski impressed in the ruck with 20 disposals, 20 hit-outs, four clearances and eight tackles.

Demons defender Mia Carlshausen did her bit for the victors with 21 touches and nine rebound 50s.

Fellow State 18s squad member Cienna Leslie (20 disposals and a goal) had a massive game in East Fremantle’s win over Peel Thunder, while Tiama Collard (29 disposals and six inside 50s) was among the Thunder’s best.

Subiaco were bolstered by a host of WA 18s players including co-captain Macy Fair who made her long-awaited WAFLW debut, 15-year-old Caitlin Boss and Under-16s All-Australian Bea Crane.

Hew beauty

Perth Reserves player Jett Hewer had a day out in his team’s thrashing of East Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

Hewer booted a whopping eight goals in a dominant display, outscoring the opposition on his own.

The 18-year-old has kicked multiple goals in his last four outings, taking his season tally to 17 majors from six games.