WAFL Round 11 Recap - Subi, Swan Districts cause boiloversTuesday, June 24, 2025 - 8:41 AM

The weekend saw mixed results across the Sullivan Logistics WAFL season with huge upsets, coaching turmoil, a tightening Bernie Naylor race and milestones.

Claremont 14.9 (93) v West Perth 9.7 (61)

It has been a brutal fallout for the Falcons from the weekend’s defeat with head coach Jason Salecic departing the role after just 28 games in charge.

The former captain and two-time premiership player led the club to just four wins last year, their worst result in 45 years.

Salecic finished his tenure with just seven victories and has been replaced by head development coach Paul Sanzone for the rest of the year.

On Saturday, West Perth were dominated by Oliver Eastland in the ruck, with the Tigers star collecting 29 disposals, 41 hit outs and five marks.

Tyler Keitel kicked two second half goals from 28 disposals and seven marks to climb within two of competition leader Trey Ruscoe, while Zak Patterson, Keegan Knott and Darcy Dixon all nailed multiple goals as well.

For Claremont, the win moves them into outright second on the ladder and a matchup with the last placed Eagles this week.

Jye Bolton, Sam Alvarez, Talon Delacey, Benjamin Elliot and Bailey Rogers all performed well in the victory.

South Fremantle 11.8 (74) v Peel Thunder 5.9 (39)

The reigning premiers took on the flag favourites in Mandurah and Peel welcomed back some big names in Michael Walters, Jaeger O’Meara and Brandon Walker, but the firepower wasn’t enough to quell the raging Bulldogs who stormed to their ninth victory of the season.

Interestingly South Fremantle’s only loss of the year came against the bottom placed West Coast.

Jake Florenca, as he has been all year was instrumental with 29 disposals, 10 tackles and a goal while Matthew Ward booted a career high three goals.

Isiah Winder, Matthew Parker, Tom Blechynden and Jamaine Jones were their usual prolific selves, and the ruck battle between current Docker Liam Reidy (13 disposals, five tackles, 52 hit outs) and former Kangaroo Hamish Free (20 disposals, 41 hit outs, one goal) proved intense.

The Thunder lost star midfielder Will Brodie early and despite big performances from Scott Tuia, Quinton Narkle, Oscar McDonald, Traye Bennell and O’Meara, the result went against them convincingly, the Bulldogs propelled by a five goal to zero third term.

Bernie Naylor Medal leader Trey Ruscoe managed just three behinds.

Swan Districts 10.6 (66) v East Fremantle 4.10 (34)

One of two major upsets of the round, Swan Districts went to the home of the Sharks and earned the four points.

Josh Cipro stamped his authority in his second game back from injury, posting 34 disposals, nine tackles and a goal in a dominant display, while fellow midfielders Jye Chalcraft and Jesse Turner combined for 57 possessions and 18 tackles.

Jackson McLachlan, Jehb O’Donohue and Leigh Kohlmann each kicked multiple majors and second-gamer Tom Smith won 51 hit outs.

Milan Murdock was outstanding for the home side, collecting 31 disposals and laying an equal career high 18 tackles.

Jarrad Jansen kicked a goal from his 20 disposals and eight tackles, but the contributors were slim for East Fremantle who slipped to third on the ladder.

Swans take on the Royals next week in a matchup that could prove pivotal for the finals race in the latter half of the season.

Subiaco 8.5 (53) v East Perth 5.13 (43)

The Lions claimed their second win of the season to move out of the wooden spoon position on Saturday evening, as a debutant provided the spark in toiling conditions.

Despite the heavy downpour, Sonny Siano looked every bit a league level player as his cleanliness and competitiveness shone through, picking the slippery ball up with ease and taking several marks overhead.

Siano kicked two impressive goals and took five marks, while Jack Mayo and Stefan Giro also kicked two goals each, the latter also gathering 29 disposals.

Liam Hickmott and Michael Braut had strong performances, as did skipper Greg Clark.

The party was spoiled for Hamish Brayshaw’s 100th game despite the Royals midfield producing some big numbers as Tom North (36), Angus Scott (32), Liam Tedesco (27) and Brayshaw (29) all found plenty of the football.

Zachary Raykos was the only multiple goalkicker for the Royals, while Kye Wilcocks and Scott Jones also played great games.

East Perth, though still a game and a half clear of the reigning premiers, now have Peel starting to breathe down their necks as they cling to fifth spot on the ladder.