10 Things we Learned: Riddle me that, Dhara Kerr Medal winner stars, Souths hold on and more

We take a look at what’s happening across the Sullivan Logistics WAFL, ATCO WAFLW and EGT WAFL Colts competitions in our weekly wrap.

What a week for Riddle

Fremantle-listed ruck Aiden Riddle had the best week of his AFL career, kicking an after-the-siren winner for Peel Thunder against Claremont in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash in Mandurah.

Days after signing a two-year contract extension, Riddle put a dagger in the hearts of the club he was drafted from with a calmly-slotted set shot after taking a huge contested mark.

The goal sealed the Thunder’s club-record eighth win in a row to go outright top of the WAFL ladder.

It came after Peel lost Sandover Medal favourite Jeremy Sharp and acting captain Scott Tuia to illness pre-game.

Defender Hugh Davies was best-on-ground for the Thunder, while livewire forward Zac Mainwaring starred for the Tigers with four goals.

Dhara Kerr medallist makes a statement

Subiaco gun Krstel Petrevski is making a charge for back-to-back Dhara Kerr Medals, producing her second best-on-ground performance in as many weeks.

Petrevski racked up a game-high 38 disposals, eight clearances and a goal in a dominant display as the Lions won their second game in a row after a five-game losing streak.

The former West Coast and Melbourne AFLW player had strong support in the midfield from Lisa Steane (29 disposals, nine tackles, five clearances and a goal) and Paige Sheppard (28, nine tackles, three clearances and a goal) as Subiaco kept their finals hopes alive with a 30-point win over Peel Thunder at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday.

The trio combined for a remarkable 95 disposals, 20 tackles, 16 clearances, 13 inside 50s and three goals.

Souths back on track

South Fremantle re-ignited their premiership defence with a hard-fought one-point win over a fast-finishing Subiaco at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Lions kicked a staggering seven goals to none in the final term to give the Bulldogs an almighty scare, but the home side hung on for a crucial victory in the context of the top-five race.

Matthew Parker was outstanding for the victors, gathering 22 possessions, laying 12 tackles and kicking a goal.

Jake Florenca and Isiah Winder also stood tall in a midfield group missing Tom Blechynden who was a late out.

WAFLW ladder leaders get the job done

Top-two outfits Swan Districts and Claremont won comfortably over East Fremantle and West Perth respectively, with both teams finishing the round with 11-3 records.

The Black Ducks still are ahead of Claremont on percentage after prevailing over the Sharks by 27 points with Dhara Kerr Medal favourite Jaime Henry tallying 35 disposals and laying seven tackles, with her midfield partner in crime Jessica Cox (25 and six clearances) also prominent.

Former Docker Ash Sharp kicked two majors to take her season tally to a competition-high 30 majors, while at the other end State 16s representative Lara Fuller booted three in a breakout performance for the Sharks.

At Revo Fitness Stadium on Sunday, Claremont disposed of West Perth a whopping 68 points.

Two-time Dhara Kerr Medal winner Jayme Harken did Jayme Harken things on her way to a game-high 28 disposals, six clearances and six tackles, in-form forward Bec Anderson kicked three goals and ruck Matilda Husband (22 disposals, 29 hit-outs and five clearances) was sensational.

Former AFLW star Hayley Bullas (14 disposals, five tackles and two goals) was another standout, while skipper Rachel Ortlepp pulled out the Sophie Cunningham pointing celebration during her two-goal performance.

Bottom-ager a Jack Clarke Medal favourite

South Fremantle young gun Chace Vanderhoek is putting together quite the bottom-aged EGT WAFL Colts campaign for South Fremantle.

Vanderhoek once again stuffed the stats sheet in the Bulldogs’ 15-point win over Subiaco at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday morning with 26 disposals, eight clearances, seven tackles, five inside 50s and a goal.

The 17-year-old ticked over the 300-disposal mark for the season, averaging 27.4 per game, and has the second-most touches in the competition behind West Perth ball magnet Luca Boczar (308).

The Bulldogs are percentage ahead of reigning premiers Claremont on the ladder, with both teams on 9-2 after winning over the weekend.

Eagles’ stunning turnaround

West Coast prevailed under the Friday night lights of Mineral Resources Park on the back of a stunning turnaround against East Fremantle.

The Eagles trailed by 36 points during the second term before turning the game on its head to win by 39.

Former Adelaide Crow Harry Schoenberg starred with 28 disposals, eight inside 50s, seven clearances and two goals including a brilliant effort on the run in the third quarter.

Midfield bull Elijah Hewett got better as the game went on to finish with 26 disposals, nine tackles and seven clearances, Sandy Brock was outstanding in defence and captain Callum Jamieson did his bit up forward with a game-high four goals.

Tom Joyce led the way for the Sharks with 29 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal.

The WAFL’s new ruck star

Swan Districts recruit Lucas Impey produced a ruck masterclass as his team ended a three-game losing streak against West Perth at HIF Health Insurance Oval on Saturday.

The talented teenager’s tap work was elite, giving his midfield first use time and time again during his 45 hit-out performance as the Black Ducks prevailed by 25 points in a see-sawing contest.

Captain Jesse Turner looks well on his way to another Swan Medal, racking up a game-high 33 disposals to go with four inside 50s, while former Big Bash cricketer Clint Hinchliffe (25, five inside 50s and three clearances) continued his impressive debut season, Chase Loftus (26, six clearances and two goals) had his best game at league level, ex-Docker Jarvis Pina was outstanding in the back half and spearhead Leigh Kohlmann returned to form with a four-goal haul.

Veteran Shane Nelson wound back the clock with a vintage display for the injury-hit Falcons which included an EGT Goal of the Year contender from the boundary in the opening term.

Former State 18s representative Lochlain Carpenter was switched from defence to the forward-line in the second half and showed plenty, booting three goals to keep West Perth in it, while reigning Bernie Naylor Medal Tyler Keitel did well as a makeshift defender.

There was also a special moment for second-gamer Harley Cummings, the son of champion AFL goal-kicker Scott, who slotted through his first senior goal for Swan Districts.

Son of a gun shines for Demons colts

West Coast father-son prospect Will Jones caught the eye in Perth’s WAFL Colts victory over East Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday morning.

Talented winger Jones, the son of 2006 West Coast premiership star Rowan Jones, talled 23 touches and seven inside 50s as the Demons made it back-to-back wins after knocking off ladder leaders South Fremantle the previous round.

State 18s squad member Ethan Turner provided a couple of highlights for East Perth with two stunning goals on the run.

Royals defy injury troubles

Last year’s grand finalists East Perth defied their massive injury list with a strong win over Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday.

Missing co-captains Hamish Brayshaw, Christian Ameduri and several other stars including Cooper Stephens, Stan Wright and Harrison Macreadie, the Royals brushed past the Demons in style, winning by 51 points in one-sided affair.

Explosive midfielder-forward Tyler Lindberg, who’s been in and out of the side this season, was best-afield for the Royals with 25 disposals, 12 inside 50s, six clearances and two goals, while ruckman Scott Jones was at his brilliant best and Tom Graham and Mitch Schofield chipped in with three goals apiece.

Comeback kids

The AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys and Girls both produced remarkable comeback wins against Vic Country in Melbourne over the weekend.

The State 18s Boys got the job done in remarkable fashion at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

WA clawed their way back from 33 points down late in the first half to take the lead early in the final term in the midst of a nine-goals-to-three second half, finishing 10.16 (76) to 9.6 (60) victors for their second win of the carnival.

Claremont colts premiership stars Heath Mellody, George Gale, Harper Banfield, Benji van Rooyen and Noah Braun all impressed for Western Australia.

Mellody got some more midfield time in the absence of injured South Fremantle bull Lucas Robinson and made the most of it, finishing with 32 disposals including a 12-possesion third term to help turn the game on its head.

The State 18s Girls followed suit the next morning for their first win of the AFLW National Under-18s Championship.

The Black Swans stormed home from 17 points down at three-quarter time against Vic Country to prevail by seven in an epic victory at Kennedy Community Centre.

WA remarkably kicked four goals to none in a final-quarter assault.

Highly-rated 15-year-old Subiaco talent Caitlin Boss sealed the deal late in the final term of a memorable win after WA trailed by as much as 19 points.

Boss showed she will be one to watch in coming years, with her lively display including 13 disposals and four tackles.

Claremont’s Hannah Seaborn and Perth’s Niah Catto were both important contributors in attack, finishing with two goals apiece.