WAFL Round 17 WrapSunday, August 6, 2023 - 10:38 PM - by Chris Pike

EAST Fremantle made it six straight wins to shoot to the top of the WAFL ladder with another victory in Round 17 on Saturday while there were also impressive triumphs for Peel Thunder, West Perth and Swan Districts.

There were four matches in Round 17 of the WAFL with each game taking place on Saturday afternoon with the Sharks rising to top spot, the Thunder consolidating their top five spot, the Falcons keeping themselves in touch and Swans making it a third consecutive victory.

The Round 17 action got underway at Steel Blue Oval with Swan Districts winning a third consecutive match and beating South Fremantle for the second time in a season for the first time since 2014.

After a tight battle for three quarters, Swans kicked the only five goals of the final term to beat the Bulldogs 13.9 (87) to 7.8 (50) to continue their late season momentum.

Peel was also able to snap a two-game losing streak with a comprehensive performance to beat the West Coast Eagles 19.18 (132) to 5.4 (34) at Mandurah's Lane Group Stadium.

The win improves the Thunder to a 10-5 record on the season to remain solid in a finals position while the Eagles remain winless in 15 attempts this season.

It was then a rematch of last year's preliminary final with East Fremantle hosting Claremont at the WACA Ground, and it was the Sharks who kicked seven goals to three in the second half to beat the Tigers 11.10 (76) to 7.14 (56).

The victory is a sixth in-a-row for East Fremantle who now sit on top of the WAFL ladder with three rounds of the season remaining with an 11-4 record while Claremont has lost three straight matches to now be 10-5 and down in fifth place.

West Perth was then able to continue its dominance against Perth with the 17.12 (114) to 11.8 (74) victory at Joondalup's Pentanet Stadium in the first ever WAFL Pride Game.

The Falcons kicked nine goals to one in the second quarter to set up the eventual victory that gives them 24 wins in the last 25 meetings they have had with the Demons.

Leederville Oval co-tenants Subiaco and East Perth had the bye in Round 17 with every team now having three games to play over the last three rounds of the home and away season.

Meanwhile, Round 17 of the Colts started with a thriller at Steel Blue Oval with Swan Districts beating South Fremantle 9.11 (65) to 9.6 (60) on the back of kicking the last two goals of the game from Lewis Zolnier-Owens and Cody Ryan.

Zolnier-Owens also kicked four goals for the game for Swan Districts while Chayse Martinson racked up 29 possessions (eight tackles), Harrison Creighton 15 and Tom Cathcart 15.

Harrison Heaton kicked three goals for South Fremantle, Peter Gioulis two and Hudson Pivac two with Jordan Douglas gathering 24 touches, Jacob Whan 23, Fred Rodriguez 22, Mitch Geier 21, Tarkyn Etherington 21 and Toby Whan 20.

Perth then scored the 11.9 (75) to 6.3 (39) Colts victory against West Perth at Pentanet Stadium with Michael Hall kicking three goals and Robert Warrell two. Noah Cachard amassed 25 disposals, Kalib Dempster-Park 24, Jake Watson 22, Cooper Moore 19 and Coen Livingstone 19 to go with 36 hit outs.

Jye Skender kicked two goals for the Falcons with Matt Galjaardt picking up 26 touches, Trent Hiscock 16, Callum Smith 16 and Jack Wooden 16.

The last of the Colts matches took place at the WACA Ground with East Fremantle beating Claremont 12.12 (84) to 6.10 (46).

Jack Cocking kicked six goals for the Sharks and Dante Wiseman three while James Spadanuda racked up 27 disposals, Presley Campbell 20, Phoenix Knight 20, Mitchell Zadow 20, Chadd Dunscombe 19, Jack Eastaugh 19 and Luca Gangemi 19.

Ryan Lazar kicked two goals for the Tigers with Kai Dehavilland gathering 25 touches, Joe Fonti 24 and Max Rohr 16 to go with 11 hit outs.

Round 17 of the Reserves began with South Fremantle scoring the nail-biting 9.9 (63) to 8.10 (58) win against Swan Districts despite Swans finishing off with the last three goals to set up the tight finish.

Kaden Harbour kicked three goals for the Bulldogs, Mackenzie Nield two and Nathan Spooner two. Jacob Sax gathered 26 touches, Jarrod Salmeri 22, Toby Dodds 22 and Mitch Sinnott 19.

Kristian Caporn kicked two goals for Swans from his four kicks with Mitch Bain amassing 30 possessions, Max Chipper 27, Lewis Tester 21 and Luke Kelly 20.

West Perth's Reserves scored a strong 15.10 (100) to 9.8 (62) victory against Perth with Keegan Knott, Zak Patterson, Logan Foley, Corey Rundle and Zarne Robis all kicking two goals for the Falcons.

Alec Johnson collected 23 possessions, Blake Wilhelm 21, Foley 20 (19 hit outs), Callum Johnson 17 and Rohan Scurria 16.

Nash Miller kicked three goals for Perth and Christian Martin two with Brodie Gray gathering 22 touches, Mitch Browne 18 and Zach Moody 17.

East Fremantle's Reserves also defeated Claremont 15.16 (106) to 7.7 (49) at the WACA Ground with Luke Yeo kicking three goals and two each to Ethan Paholski, Austin Ball and Lachlan Blakiston.

Josh Schoenfeld racked up 28 touches, Ryan Lester-Smith 26, Enrique Aiken-Featherstone 24, Matt Williamson 23 and Josh Ritchie 21.

Jason Carter and Dylan Mulligan kicked two goals each for Claremont while Morgan Davies collected 25 disposals, Sam Alvarez 22, Bailey Bennett 18 and Menno Inverarity 18.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 17

SWAN DISTRICTS 13.9 (87) defeated SOUTH FREMANTLE 7.8 (50)

Swan Districts was able to keep its winning form going to be ending the season with some momentum after Saturday's 37-point victory at home against South Fremantle.

Swans were back home at Steel Blue Oval to play host to the Bulldogs on Saturday fresh off the bye and two straight wins while South Fremantle was attempting to bounce back from a rare derby loss last Saturday.

It was a tight contest for the first three quarters but Swan Districts then dominated the final term with five goals to nil on the way to the eventual 13.9 (87) to 7.8 (50) victory.

The result means that Swans have now won three straight games this season and have beaten South Fremantle in the same season both times for the first time since 2014.

Reigning Swan Districts fairest and best winner, and vice-captain Jesse Turner produced a remarkable performance made up of 35 possessions, nine marks and three goals.

Captain Chris Jones also kicked three goals for the black-and-whites with Jesse Palmer adding two.

Aidan Clarke also had a brilliant afternoon in the middle for Swan Districts amassing 41 possessions while Jackson McLachlan had 25 touches, Jehb O'Donohue 20 and Josh Cipro 20.

Down back, Tobe Watson was superb as well with 31 possessions and 10 marks while Tony Notte had 18 touches and six marks, Lachlan Riley 17 disposals and seven marks, and Jarvis Pina another 16 possessions.

Brandon Donaldson and Jack Blechynden kicked two goals apiece for South Fremantle.

The shining light of the day for South Fremantle was debutant Aaron Drage. The 20-year-old had been building some impressive ball winning form in the reserves and translated that to league level on Saturday where he finished with 23 possessions, four marks, three tackles and three inside-50 entries.

Glenn Byron also picked up 22 touches for the Bulldogs, Tom Blechynden 17 despite the tag from Swans of Jehb O'Donohue, Caleb Stephens 16, Jacob Dragovich 15 and Jimmy Miller 13 mostly in the ruck to go with 30 hit outs.

Swan Districts made the perfect start when in-form forward Tom Edwards marked strongly and goaled in just over a minute before celebrating with the Bassendean locals showing off his pride in the black-and-white jumper.

Swans then had the first two goals of the game when Jackson McLachlan marked inside-50 and converted, but South Fremantle got on the board shortly after thanks to Aiden Hall.

Jesse Palmer kicked Swans' third goal of the quarter but then the Bulldogs got one back just before three quarter-time from Brandon Donaldson to cut the margin at the first break to six points.

Swan Districts then made a strong start to the second term as well with goals to vice-captain Jesse Turner and captain Chris Jones to push out to a 20-point lead.

However, South Fremantle hit back with the last two goals of the half thanks to Dylan Main and Donaldson and once more the Bulldogs were able to cut the Swans lead back to six points at the main break.

South Fremantle opened up the second half with a goal to Manfred Kelly and suddenly it was just a one-point ball game. A behind soon after to the Bulldogs and scores were all square.

Swans responded with the next two goals courtesy of Brad Lynch and Jiah Reidy, but then South Fremantle also hit back and it was Jack Blechynden having his best moments at league level.

He started off by marking on the lead and slotting a good long goal outside 50. He then marked on the goal line to kick another, and the Bulldogs were in front by a point.

Swan Districts did answer after the three quarter-time siren, though, with Jones kicking truly and that saw the black-and-whites up by five at the last change.

The game was right up for grabs at the final break but it wouldn’t stay that way for long with Turner and Jones again adding to their goalkicking days to start the last term for Swans.

Brayden Noble kicked truly soon after to stretch the lead for the home team to 23 points before goals to Palmer and Turner sealed the eventual 37-point triumph for Swans to give them three straight victories.

PEEL THUNDER 19.18 (132) defeated WEST COAST EAGLES 5.4 (34)

Peel Thunder returned to the WAFL winner's list in emphatic fashion on Saturday with an eventual 98-point victory against the West Coast Eagles at Lane Group Stadium.

Peel had lost its past two matches prior to a bye last weekend to leave the Thunder a little vulnerable in fifth position and not being able to afford a slip up at home to the winless Eagles on Saturday afternoon.

Peel started the game on fire with six goals to one in the first quarter and another six to two in the second to set up the eventual 19.18 (132) to 5.4 (34) victory.

Blair Bell has been an important midfielder for a lot of this season in cameo roles for Peel but he returned to his premiership winning role as a forward on Saturday to end up kicking four goals from 19 possessions and 10 marks.

Fremantle forward Matt Taberner also made his return at league level for Peel after a game in the reserves and showed good signs with three goals from nine kicks and eight marks.

Ruckman Liam Reidy kicked two goals to go with 13 touches and 26 hit outs with Ben Middleton and Tom Emmett also kicking two goals apiece. Emmett laid 10 tackles as well.

Peel captain Ben Hancock continued his brilliant form too approaching his 150-game with the club with another 33 possessions, seven inside 50s, four marks and three tackles.

Will Brodie finished with 31 touches, Brady Grey 26, Karl Worner 26, Travis Colyer 22, Nathan Wilson 20 and Ethan Stanley 17.

All five of West Coast's goals came from single sources with Josh Browne collecting 29 possessions, Ethan Hansen 23, Luke Foley 20 and Jordyn Baker 17.

Peel started strongly with the first goal of the game courtesy of Travis Colyer and then after a string of behinds, 10 minutes later and Blair Bell added the second of the day for the Thunder.

Matt Taberner then kicked two quick goals before Nathan O'Driscoll and Ben Middleton ensured Peel opened up the contest with the first six goals.

West Coast did get one back before quarter-time through Tyrell Dewar but Peel was still 36 points up by the first break.

Josh Burke kicked the first goal of the second term with West Coast cutting the deficit to 31 points but the Thunder hit back quickly with quick goals to Bell and Tom Emmett.

Bell soon added his third of the first half with Emmett kicking a second with Michael Sellwood and Will Brodie joining in the fun with the Thunder's lead growing to 72 points.

Again West Coast did close the half with the last goal thanks to John Levien but all that did was cut the Peel lead to 66 points at the last break.

The goals dried up in the third quarter with only three of them kicked but they all went the way of Peel through Liam Reidy, Taberner and Nathan Wilson with the lead of the home side ballooning to 86 points.

The Eagles were able to kick the first goal of the final term but Peel responded with the next two and Bell ended up adding his fourth to cap a big day with the Thunder ending up scoring the 98-point victory.

EAST FREMANTLE 11.10 (76) defeated CLAREMONT 7.14 (56)

East Fremantle remains the hottest team in the WAFL and is now on top of the ladder with proof of it after beating Claremont by 20 points at the WACA Ground despite the absence of Jonathon Marsh.

Marsh played a critical role in the Sharks' derby breakthrough win the previous Saturday, but was a late withdrawal on Saturday and while East Fremantle was still missing prime on-baller Milan Murdock, they couldn’t be denied.

Claremont did dominate the opening quarter with seven scoring shots to one to lead by 11 points while still being in front by four points at half-time, but East Fremantle took over from there.

The Sharks kicked seven goals to three in the second half on the way to the 11.10 (76) to 7.14 (56) win to take them to top spot on the ladder with three rounds remaining with six wins in-a-row.

Claremont has now lost three straight matches for the first time since 2018 to be just holding on to fifth position with a 10-5 record ahead of the 8-7 West Perth.

Former Peel premiership winning small forward Brayden Lawler is proving an important addition for East Fremantle this season and he kicked four goals from nine kicks and six marks on Saturday.

Dillon O'Reilly also showed his value as a marking option in attack with three goals from 10 kicks and seven marks.

Tom Joyce made his return for the Sharks in the midfield and racked up 28 possessions with Kyle Baskerville gathering 26 touches, Jarrad Jansen 24, Luke English 23, Harry Marsh 23, Tom Bennett 23, Cam Eardley 22, Jackson McDonald 21 and Hugh Dixon 21 to go with 15 hit outs.

Alex Manuel was Claremont's only multiple goal scorer kicking three with Max Minear again struggling as the main target with just two points and two kicks while the Tigers even tried ever reliable 101-game defender Declan Hardisty who had his moments with 1.4 from 10 kicks.

Teia Miles spent more of the game on the wing than his usual attacking defensive role for the Tigers and racked up 30 possessions along with six marks and four tackles.

Ben Edwards also collected 25 touches, Callan England 25, Jye Bolton 22, Ben Elliott 20 and Jack Lewsey 19 while ruckman Oliver Eastland was strong again with 25 disposals, 38 hit outs and nine marks.

Debutant Daniel Curtin was impressive as well with 21 touches and four marks while doing well defensively limiting Cody Leggett to eight touches and one goal.

Claremont made the perfect start when Jye Bolton kicked the first goal of the game but East Fremantle responded soon after courtesy of Cody Leggett.

It was almost 10 more minutes before the next goal and that came thanks to Tyron Smallwood before the Tigers took an 11-point advantage into the quarter-time break.

Brayden Lawler and Anthony Treacy traded goals for their respective teams to start the second quarter before the Sharks did string a couple together through Ben McGuire and Dillon O'Reilly to grab the lead.

Just into time-on of the second quarter and Claremont was back in front thanks to unlikely forward Declan Hardisty, and the Tigers were still narrowly on top by four points at the long break.

East Fremantle then took control with the first four goals of the second half after a couple of Claremont misses from Hardisty. 

O'Reilly, Cam Eardley, Lawler and Chris Walker kicked the goals for the Sharks who went up by 19 points and were still leading by 13 despite a Tigers goal from Alex Manuel just before three quarter-time. 

The Tigers were right back in the contest to start the last term with another goal to Manuel, but they couldn’t get closer than seven points.

O'Reilly responded for the Sharks before Lawler added another and East Fremantle would end up winning by 20 points to make it six wins in-a-row and to shoot to top spot in the WAFL after Round 17.

WEST PERTH 17.12 (114) defeated PERTH 11.8 (74)

West Perth produced a dominant first three quarters to set up the eventual 40-point win against Perth at Pentanet Stadium on Saturday to keep the Falcons in the finals hunt.

The Falcons' premiership defence remains hanging by a thread in sixth position but they have no choice but to keep winning and hope a team above them falls over so had to win on Saturday at home to the Demons in the first ever WAFL Pride Game.

West Perth would end up kicking 17 goals to five in the first three quarters and ended up winning 17.12 (114) to 11.8 (74) but that lost percentage in the final term could end up being crucial.

West Perth has now won three in-a-row to improve to an 8-7 record on the season to be two games behind the fifth placed Claremont with three matches remaining.

The tall forward combination for West Perth of Tyler Keitel and Noah Pegoraro worked a treat as they combined for 10 goals with Keitel kicking six to regain the lead in the Bernie Naylor Medal race from 18 touches and four marks.

Pegoraro is a premiership and State player at centre half-back, but is now looming as a crucial forward option for the Falcons and also kicked four goals from 18 disposals and 10 marks.

Joe Hinder's run is making him one of the more damaging players in the competition and he kicked two goals with 15 possessions and seven inside-50 entries.

Reigning Grand Final Simpson Medallist Luke Meadows was brilliant for West Perth with 29 possessions while Shane Nelson racked up 27 disposals, Zac Guadagnin 22, 100-gamer Tyson Moulton 21, Koopah Todd 20 and Ben Johnson 18.

Sam Stubbs was the only multiple goal scorer in the game for Perth with three from 13 disposals and four marks.

Jack Cooley collected another 33 possessions for Perth while Charlie Thompson finished with another 26 touches, Corey Byrne 22, Trent Manzone 22, Jack Avery 21, Dakota Baldwin-Wright 18 (16 hit outs) and Jacob Coniglio 17.

It took only three and-a-half minutes for West Perth two tall forward targets to get on the board with goals from Tyler Keitel and Noah Pegoraro. 

A few minutes later and Pegoraro had his second of the day before Perth did get on the board and it was former West Perth veteran wingman Trent Manzone who kicked truly for the Demons on his old home ground.

Perth then added another courtesy of Sam Stubbs to work back into the contest and another from Kristian Cary just before quarter-time had the West Perth lead back to a point and it was game on.

Pegoraro then added a third goal up to the two-minute mark of the second term for West Perth before Mitch Peirce extended the lead to 15, and two quick goals from Keitel took it out to a 27-point advantage.

Griffith Julian added another for the Falcons before Perth was able to stem the tide thanks to Simon Hayward.

However, West Perth weren’t done with yet and finished the half with goals to Darcy Dixon, Joe Hinder, Koopah Todd and Luke Meadows to be in control leading by 54 points at half-time.

It was Keitel who put the result to bed to start the third quarter with three goals in just over seven minutes and suddenly the lead for the Falcons was out to 72 points.

A fourth goal to Pegoraro as well just before three quarter-time saw West Perth still in control by 77 points going into the final term.

To Perth's credit they were able to kick the only five goals of the last quarter including a couple more to Stubbs but all it did in the end was cut the final winning margin of West Perth to 40 points, but that lost percentage could be costly in the finals race.