WAFL Round 12 RecapTuesday, July 1, 2025 - 9:31 AM

The WAFL produced one of the games of the year at the weekend, while a side under pressure found a way to win.

Claremont 13.18 (96) v West Coast 6.9 (45)

Claremont remained within reach of the Bulldogs with a resounding 51-point win over the Eagles at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

The Eagles, as has been the case in many games this season, came out of the blocks well putting the opening two goals on the board, but a five goal to zero second term gave the Tigers a lead that they never let slip.

Alec Waterman led all goalkickers with four and was strong all day, as were Kieran Gowdie (3) and Jaiden Hunter (2).

It was a fiery game, partly due to the tight tag on Jye Bolton which he fought through to win 21 disposals, while Bailey Rogers and Benjamin Elliot each won 27 possessions and Oliver Eastland won the ruck battle convincingly.

Rhett Bazzo (30 disposals, 10 marks) stood tall down back for West Coast and has put together a strong run of form since returning from injury, and Tom Gross battled hard inside to earn 28 disposals.

Josh Burke was swung forward again and booted three goals for the Eagles, while Malakai Champion and Jack Eastough each performed admirably.

South Fremantle 10.9 (69) v Perth 7.5 (47)

A five goal to one second term bolstered the ladder leaders to victory over the persistent Demons, who continue to show they are around the mark this season.

While they won’t be happy with just moral wins, Perth’s midfield excelled again with Charlie Constable (35 disposals, eight tackles) and Brandon Parfitt (31 disposals, nine tackles, one goal) among the best.

Matthew Taylor also won 27 disposals and took six marks, while Blake Schlensog also played well.

It was Brandon Donaldson however that was the difference in the end, booting a goal in each quarter to steady the Bulldogs.

The usual suspects Jake Florenca, Tom Blechynden, Aaron Drage and Isiah Winder all collected plenty of the football and Zach Strom won 20 disposals and 18 hit outs, both season highs.

Perth still sit on the edge of the top five, but two and a half games clear of Peel in sixth.

East Perth 13.8 (86) v Swan Districts 7.4 (46)

The fairytale finish to Tony Notte’s WAFL career wasn’t to be at Steel Blue Oval after the champion announced his immediate retirement during the week.

Swans hung around but were eventually run over by the Royals as Harrison Macreadie, Kye Wilcocks and Tom North led East Perth over the top.

Angus Scott found the football 31 times and Scott Jones won 46 hit outs, while Liam Tedesco and Coby Burgiel marked everything in sight, combining to take 23 to go with 41 disposals.

Thomas Medhat and Zachary Raykos did the damage on the scoreboard with three a piece.

Skipper Jesse Turner gave everything, winning 35 disposals, taking 15 marks and kicking a goal and fellow midfielders Jye Chalcraft and Josh Cipro had lots of the footy.

Swans games record holder Tony Notte, in game 323, kicked a final quarter goal to see out a tremendous career that will be enshrined in WAFL history forever.

Subiaco 16.7 (103) v East Fremantle 16.6 (102)

The Sharks and the Lions played out a thriller at Sullivan Logistics Stadium with Subiaco emerging one-point victors to give their season a heartbeat.

It was back-to-back wins for the home side in a game of swings and runs that came down to the final seconds.

The Lions did the early damage before East Fremantle hit back with seven goals to two in the second quarter, but the Lions fought back to within two points at three quarter time.

Benjamin Golding gave them a 10-point buffer midway through the final period, before Reuben McGuire reigned the margin in to just four points.

In the final minutes Jed Hagan missed a snap from the pocket and Milan Murdock couldn’t convert streaming inside 50 as Patrick Mullane got a desperate fingertip in on the goal-line to save it.

The last minute saw Jack Mayo and Jarrod Richards take huge pack marks to seal it and give the Lions a much needed win.

Murdock was brilliant despite the loss, winning 31 disposals and laying eight tackles, whilst Mitchell Zadow, Hagan and McGuire all booted three goals.

Richard Bartlett and Ryan Borchet each nailed three for Subiaco and second gamer Sonny Siano continues to impress, kicking another two himself.

East Fremantle continue to slide on the ladder with a blockbuster matchup against the Demons next week.

West Perth 11.12 (78) v Peel Thunder 10.9 (69)

After a tumultuous week, the Falcons showed plenty of heart to run out nine point winners over Peel Thunder.

The margin was within three-and-a-half goals for the entire game and Peel got within a point at the 18-minute mark of the final term, before Sandon Page in game 10 stepped up to finish a late goal.

Tyler Keitel responded with 25 disposals, 13 marks and two goals, as did Riley Sprigg with 17 possessions, 39 hit outs and a goal.

Jack DeMarte booted three goals for West Perth as they took 117 marks as a side.

Peel, deprived of AFL-listed players, have now dropped two in a row after they had seemingly gotten their season back on track and require a win against the Royals next week to stay within reach of the top five.

Jaren Carr, Josh Draper, Quinton Narkle and Brandon Walker all produced strong performances.

Charlie Nicholls kicked three for the visitors, while Jack Sears and Narkle each kicked two.