WAFL Round 5 Recap : Eagles Break Through For First WinMonday, May 5, 2025 - 11:57 AM

Round 5 action in the WAFL saw some unexpected results create one of the tightest ladders possible, with four clubs tied on points and separated by just three percent.

There is no longer an undefeated side in the competition, and some fantastic individual brilliance dragged teams to wins.

West Perth (60) v Claremont (69)

Friday night in Joondalup brought the opening game of Round 5 with the Tigers claiming a narrow victory over the Falcons.

Scores were extremely tight after the first two breaks, but Claremont kicked four goals to one in the premiership quarter and, despite a late comeback from West Perth, held on to win by nine points.

Bernie Naylor medal leader Tyler Keitel booted four goals to extend his lead, while Joseph Hinder was superb on the wing amassing 28 disposals, taking eight marks and kicking two goals.

Claremont were led by star Bailey Rogers, who won 29 touches and kicked a goal, while Kieran Gowdie kicked three goals and Benjamin Elliot collected 24 disposals.

South Fremantle (66) v West Coast (82)

In what was the upset of the season so far, the ninth placed Eagles shocked undefeated flag favourites South Fremantle on their home deck, as West Coast used a six goal to one second quarter to propel them to victory.

Trey Ruscoe snagged two goals for the Bulldogs, but fell to equal third in the Bernie Naylor race, while despite the best efforts of Matt Parker (28 disposals, seven tackles, one goal), Tom Blechynden (25 disposals) and Jake Florenca (25 disposals) South dropped to third on the WAFL ladder.

Clay Hall led the Eagles at the coalface, winning 30 disposals and laying eight tackles, while half-back Tyrell Dewar (26 disposals, seven marks) provided plenty of run and carry.

Lucca Grego battled hard for his 24 disposals and the Eagles had four multiple goalkickers in Malakai Champion, Coen Livingstone,
Jobe Shanahan and Bailey Williams.

Thomas Edwards-Baldwin booted the opening goal in his 50th WAFL match, while reigning best and fairest Harley Sparks (22 disposals, eight marks) made a successful return from a three-week layoff with concussion.

Perth (70) v Subiaco (54)

The Demons continued their fantastic start to the season, overcoming the loss of injured midfield star Brandan Parfitt.

With Parfitt missing, fellow midfield star Charlie Constable won 36 disposals and laid eight tackles, while Perth were also lifted by impressive performances from Michael Randall and Corey Byrne.

Aaron Clarke was unusually inaccurate, but still kicked two goals, as did Zack Derkson,
Blake Schlensog and Noah Cachard, who also collected 27 touches and took six marks.

Ryan Borchet kicked three goals for the Lions, and Jack Mayo chipped in with two, but the visitors kicked six behinds before their second goal as Perth led for almost the entirety of the game.

Greg Clark found the footy 30 times and kicked a goal to lead Subiaco, who now drop to 1-4 in eighth place.

Perth find themselves in a four-way tie for first place, separated only by three percent.

East Perth (86) v Peel Thunder (48)

The reigning premiers continue to struggle to open the season, still having won just a single game from their first five outings against the winless Swan Districts.

They managed just seven goals for the game, four coming from Corey Tregenza and Charlie Nicholls in just his second game of league football.

No Thunder player collected more than 20 touches as East Perth ran amok, pushing themselves to the top of the ladder.

Angus Scott racked up 39 disposals, the second most of his career, while Hamish Brayshaw (32 disposals, eight tackles, six marks, one goal) was also dominant on Saturday.

Tom North continues to find plenty of the ball, as did Zachary Raykos and Stanley Wright.

William Cassidy has made a fine start to his WAFL League career, booting two goals and laying six tackles, while Mitchell Schofield and Ben Middleton also slotted two goals apiece for the Royals.

Swan Districts (57) v East Fremantle (102)

The Sharks kicked 11 goals to 4 after halftime to claim an impressive away win at Steel Blue Oval and move to second on the WAFL ladder.

The big names all starred, Milan Murdock (31 disposals, seven marks, six tackles, one goal), Kyle Baskerville (30 disposals, five marks, five tackles) and Cameron Eardley (28 disposals, five marks) all getting in on the action.

Harrison Marsh booted three goals from 22 touches, while Austin Ball and Jarrad Jansen both kicked multiples.

Cody Leggett raced to second in the Bernie Naylor medal tally after kicking 11 goals in two weeks.

For Swans, who fell to 0-5 in what’s been a disastrous start to the year, Jesse Turner can hold his head high after a hardworking 32 disposal effort in which he kicked a goal.

The black ducks have struggled to find avenues to goal this season outside of Leigh Kohlmann, who slotted another five on the weekend.