WAFL Recap: Round 18Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - 11:01 AM

East Fremantle locked themselves into the last remaining finals position as South Fremantle once again proved themselves to be the team to beat.

South Fremantle 11.9 (75) v East Perth 4.4 (28)

The Bulldogs separated themselves from the field once again in round 18, comfortably toppling the Royals in a 47-point win in which they kept the home side to just one behind in the first half.

The premiership favourites were led by Aaron Drage, Trey Roscoe (who is now within three goals of the lead in the Bernie Naylor medal race) and Zach Strom up forward who each booted to majors, while Rohan O’Hehir, Ethan Hughes and Jaxon Artemis also impressed.

Tom Blechynden won 29 disposals and laid seven tackles, while Jake Florenca and Matthew Parker were also prolific.

Stan Wright earned 29 disposals in a strong performance for East Perth and Scott Jones won 54 whiteouts and laid 10 tackles, but outside of them and some big ball-winning numbers from Tom North, Angus Scott and Kye Willcocks, the Royals couldn’t connect forward all day.

Perth 15.8 (98) v Peel Thunder 10.9 (69)

The Demons run of alternating wins and losses continued after beating the reigning premiers by 29-points in Mandurah on Saturday.

Perth’s forward line was operating well with the return of key forwards Aaron Clarke (three goals) and Blake Schlensog, who spent far less time in the ruck and capitalised on his time inside 50 to the tune of a season-high and equal WAFL career-high five goals.

Lochlan Paton also booted an equal-career high four majors for the third time this season as he entered the top 10 in the Bernie Naylor medal race.

Star midfielders Brandon Parfitt (39 disposals, five tackles, one goal) and Charlie Constable (34 disposals, five marks, one goal) were at their best for Perth, while James Aish won 36 disposals and took eight marks for the Thunder.

Cooper Simpson played his best game since returning from an extended stint on the sidelines, whilst Brandon Walker, Liam Reidy and Kyelan Sanders, who kicked a career-high three goals, impressed as well.

East Fremantle 8.17 (65) v West Coast 7.6 (48)

The Sharks got a scare from the Eagles who took advantage of some wayward East Fremantle kicking to stay in the game right until the final 10 minutes of the final term.

The home side had 10 scoring shots to two in the opening quarter but were only able to convert once, giving West Coast the chance to lead at halftime.

Milan Murdock (42 disposals, 11 tackles, seven marks, one goal) and Mitchell Zadow (23 disposals, 10 marks, two goals) took control in the second half with dominant performances and led the Sharks to the comeback victory to lock themselves into the finals series.

Tom Joyce won 31 disposals and kicked a goal, while Jack Cleaver, Jed Hagan and Reuben McGuire also impressed, as did youngster Luke Carrello who earned 21 disposals and took six marks on debut.

West Coast were led by Tyrell Dewar and Harley Sparks who kickstarted plenty of drive from half back, while Noah Long (18 disposals, seven tackles, five marks, three goals) was the best of the Eagles.

Claremont 13.6 (84) v Swan Districts 6.10 (46)

The Tigers made easy work of the Black Ducks at Revo Fitness Stadium, kicking 12 goals to one through the first three quarters.

Jaiden Hunter kept himself in the Bernie Naylor Medal race with four goals, whilst Talon Delaney, Kieran Gowdie and Alec Waterman also added multiple goals.

Max Minear was stellar again in what’s been a strong season, as were Jye Bolton, Callan England and Jack Musika.

Jesse Turner, Joe Chalcraft and Josh Cipro combined to post 93 disposals for Swan Districts, but despite winning the inside 50s and clearances, were unable to connect with their forwards outside of their five-goal final quarter.

Subiaco 11.10 (76) v West Perth 11.8 (74)

Subiaco completed the upset of the round, narrowly defeating the Falcons in a game where the margin never exceeded 10 points.

Jack Mayo, Richard Bartlett, Jordan Snadden and Charlie Burke were strong contributors for Subiaco, with Bartlett’s third goal securing the victory late in the final term.

Aaron Black’s second major brought the lead back to four points, but it was all too late.

Shane Nelson wound back the clock with a season-high 36 disposals to go with eight tackles and a goal, while Corey Rundle and AFL U18s All-Australian Sam Swadling were also prolific.

 Keegan Knott booted three goals and Tyler Keitel kicked two to take his season total to 43.