10 Things we Learned: Souths back in business, Swans stay alive, Blake’s back and more

We take a look at the biggest moments across a memorable weekend of Sullivan Logistics WAFL, ATCO WAFLW and EGT WAFL Colts action.

Souths back in business

Reigning champs South Fremantle produced a strong finish to get over the line against Claremont and claim the Jimmy Melbourne Cup in Saturday’s heavyweight blockbuster at Revo Fitness Stadium.

The Bulldogs trailed at every change before coming home with a wet sail to turn a three-point three-quarter time deficit into an 11-point victory.

Star midfielder Jake Florenca (29 disposals and five clearances), Matty Parker (25, six clearances and a goal) and Isiah Winder (25, five clearances and a goal) were outstanding, as was young gun Aaron Drage (25, five clearances and a goal) who continues to improve.

Sandover medallist Bailey Rogers (27 disposals and five rebound 50s) returned from a calf injury in style for Claremont, ruckman Oliver Eastland (22 and 31 hit-outs) battled hard in his 150^th game and dangerous small forward Zac Mainwaring (three goals and seven tackles) continued his hot form.

Peel two games clear at the top

Thanks to the above result and a massive win of their own, Peel Thunder are now two games clear atop the Sullivan Logistics WAFL ladder.

The Thunder disposed of an undermanned East Fremantle by 84 points at The Good Grocer Park on Saturday to make it nine wins on the trot.

Swingman Oscar McDonald stood tall up forward with a game-high five majors, defender Hugh Davies took a whopping 15 marks at the other end, Jeremy Sharp (24, four clearances and two goals) returned with a dominant midfield display, youngster Jaren Carr’s improvement continued and recruit Lachlan Tardrew was enormous through the middle with a game-high 31 touches.

Ever-improving midfielder Jack Cleaver was the Sharks’ best with 30 disposals, 12 tackles and 10 clearances in a mammoth performance.

Swans stay alive

Swan Districts have kept their faint finals flame alive with a thrilling hard-fought victory over East Perth at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

The Black Ducks made it back-to-back victories on the back of a seven-goals-to-two second quarter and dominant midfield performance from Josh Cipro, who tallied 34 disposals and 11 clearances.

In-form forward Leigh Kohlmann did the damage in attack, booting five goals to make it nine in two weeks.

Just six points separated the two sides late in the final term before forward Caleb Ernst kicked a stunning checkside goal from the pocket to cap off his best senior outing.

Captain Jesse Turner did Jesse Turner things, finishing with 31 disposals, while Zane Trew was outstanding in his return, kicking two goals, to go with 24 disposals and 11 clearances.

Trew kicked a sensational goal on the run from the midfield in the second term during the Swans’ surge.

Former Docker Jarvis Pina was another important contributor with 24 touches and six marks in the back half, while classy half-back Luke Foley (24 disposals and eight rebound 50s) and goal-kicking midfielder Tom North (24 and two goals) were the Royals’ best alongside defender Jake Soutar (18, 11 marks and a goal) and forward Mitch Schofield (three goals).

Welcome back, Blake

How good is it to see Blake Schlensog back in action?

The dangerous Demons tall played his first game of the season and had an instant impact against West Coast at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

The former Geelong rookie booted two of his three goals in the opening term of Perth’s 62-point thrashing of the Eagles after recovering from a calf injury that’s hampered his season.

Schlensog finished with 3.3 to go with eight marks and two score assists.

The three-headed midfield monster was impressive for the victors, with Charlie Constable, Brandan Parfitt and Corey Byrne combining for 103 disposals, 25 clearances and 20 inside 50s.

Constable had a game-high 39 touches and 11 clearances in a dominant display.

Clarke leads Bernie Naylor Medal race

A six-goal performance from Perth spearhead Aaron Clarke has given him a healthy lead in the Bernie Naylor Medal race.

The Demons sharpshooter dominated in Sunday’s win over the Eagles to take his season tally to 41 majors from 13 games.

Clarke is now eight goals clear of West Perth veteran and reigning WAFL leading goal-kicker Tyler Keitel and Claremont key forward Jaiden Hunter who are both on 33 goals.

Hunter kicked just one goal in the Tigers’ narrow loss to South Fremantle, while Keitel’s Falcons had the bye.

Keitel has remarkably won five Bernie Naylor Medals including the last three.

What a debut!

South Fremantle recruit Kiana Lee produced a debut for the ages, booting six goals in her team’s comfortable win over Peel Thunder at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah on Saturday.

The former Norwood SANFLW player finished with 6.4 to go with eight marks and 14 touches to announce herself as a player to watch.

Fellow recruit Ash Gomes produced a vintage performance in the midfield for the Bulldogs with 26 disposals, five clearances and four inside 50s.

The Thunder farewelled two-time premiership player and flag-winning skipper Krystal Carter who called time on her decorated career.

Same old Jaime

Jaime Henry continues to star in the ATCO WAFLW competition for the ladder-leading Swan Districts.

The Black Ducks ball magnet was easily the leading disposal getter on the ground with 40 to go with seven clearances and five inside 50s in a gritty win over West Perth at HIF Health Insurance Oval in Joondalup on Saturday.

Henry is the hot favourite to win her first Dhara Kerr Medal and has nearly 100 disposals more than any other player in the competition this season with 470 at an average of 33.6.

Up forward, former Docker Ashley Sharp booted two goals to move to 32 for the season, six clear of second-placed Bec Anderson of Claremont in the Joanne Huggins Award leading goal-kicker race.

Tigers leave it late

Claremont booted the last two goals of the match against Perth in win a heart-stopping WAFLW clash by just three points at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

Amy Evans kicked the lead-changing goal at the 12-minute mark of the final term, one minute after Eva Campo’s telling blow.

The win keeps the Tigers just percentage behind ladder leaders Swan Districts.

Former AFLW Eagle and Swan Hayley Bullas was at her brilliant best with 23 disposals and five clearances, two-time Dhara Kerr Medal winner Jayme Harken (29 and four inside 50s) was again prominent, Abby Maynard and Sarah Viney combined for 21 tackles and Matilda Husband did her bit in the ruck.

Dhara Kerr Medal contender Isabella Shannon stood out for the Demons, while Holly Britton also found plenty of it.

Sharks skipper’s memorable milestone

East Fremantle captain Tiani Teakle celebrated her 50^th game in style, with her team defeating East Perth by 11 points at The Good Grocer Park on Sunday.

Teakle did her bit down back, reeling in seven marks and tallying 17 disposals, five intercept possessions and four rebound 50s in an important performance.

The win takes the Sharks to 8-5 and third on the WAFLW ladder, half a game ahead of rivals South Fremantle.

He’s a Jett

East Fremantle gun Jett Abbott inspired his side to a massive win over Peel Thunder in the EGT WAFL Colts at The Good Grocer Park on Saturday morning.

The Aquinas College first XVIII captain finished with 31 disposals, four clearances and a goal in a standout performance in the 49-point victory.

He was one of several eye-catching performances in the Colts alongside State 18s squad member Ethan Turner of East Perth who had his second massive game in a row with 30 disposals and a goal.

Bottom-aged pair – Taj Allan of Swan Districts (27 disposals and five inside 50s) and South Fremantle’s Jack Clarke Medal fancy Chace Vanderhoek (25, six inside 50s, five clearances and a goal) – were also among the stars of the round.

Thunder livewire Xaiver Little provided the highlight of the weekend with a massive hanger inside forward 50 against the Sharks.