Round 11 McDonald’s WAFL Wrap Up

SUBIACO moved two games clear on top of the WAFL with a sixth straight win in Round 11 action on Saturday while East Perth, West Perth and South Fremantle all scored impressive wins on the back of five-day breaks.

The only team who didn’t defy the odds and win on a five-day break against a fresher team was East Fremantle as the Sharks went down to the reigning premiers Subiaco, with the Lions winning 15.18 (108) to 8.12 (60) in what ended up being Steve Malaxos’ last game in charge.

East Perth, South Fremantle and West Perth all won in impressive fashion, though, backing up well from playing just on Monday in the traditional WA Day fixtures.

The Royals beat Swan Districts 13.9 (87) to 11.4 (70) at Bassendean’s Steel Blue Oval in front of almost 4000 fans while the Bulldogs downed Perth 17.10 (112) to 11.8 (74) at Fremantle Oval and the Falcons defeated Peel Thunder 17.9 (111) to 17.5 (107) at Mandurah’s Bendigo Bank Stadium.

The Round 11 results leave Subiaco (8-1) clear on top of the ladder with West Perth (6-4), South Fremantle (6-4), East Perth (5-5) and Peel Thunder (5-5) rounding out the top-five.

East Fremantle (5-5) sits just outside the top-five followed by Swan Districts (4-6), Claremont (4-5) and Perth (1-9).

Click here for the summary of Round 11 of the WAFL

TEAM OF THE WEEK
BACK: Adam Guglielmana (SF), Chris Billings (P), Tanner Smith (PT)
HALF-BACK: Andrew Strijk (WP), Marcus Adams (WP), Toby Gianatti (P)
CENTRE: Xavier Ellis (EP), Sam Menegola (S), Max Duffy (PT)
HALF-FORWARD: Ryan Davis (SD), Lachlan Delahunty (S), Matt Johnson (WP)
FORWARD: Leroy Jetta (PT), Josh Pullman (SF), Jack Darling (EP)
RUCK: Paul Johnson (EP), Steven Verrier (SF), Aidan Tropiano (P)
INTERCHANGE: Brett Robinson (S), Connor Blakely (PT), Brendan Lee (EP), Chris Phelan (S)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Not that Subiaco needed any improvement, but the league-leading reigning premiers unveiled another star recruit from over summer on Saturday and Sam Menegola delivered a best on ground performance in the Lions’ 48-point victory over East Fremantle.

Menegola signed with Subiaco on the back of being delisted by Fremantle and he elected to join the reigning premiers rather than return to the club he was drafted from originally, East Fremantle, or stay at Peel Thunder where he played some outstanding football in 2014.

The 23-year-old spent most of Saturday on the ball and despite not having played a game yet in 2015, was simply outstanding finishing with 35 possessions, four tackles and two goals to be clear best afield up against his former team.

He now looms as another versatile weapon that Subiaco can use either as a ball-winning midfielder, hard-leading forward, close-checking or playmaking defender or in run-with roles through the middle.

He has proved that he can play all those roles previously and now that Subiaco has him in its line-up, the next cab off the rank is the return of captain Kyal Horsley and then the Lions will feel they are clos to full strength for the first time in 2015.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
East Perth got off to a slow start in front of a big crowd at Steel Blue Oval, but kicked 11 goals to six after quarter-time to end up beating Swan Districts by 17 points.

Gun West Coast forward Jack Darling made his first appearance of the season after troubles with a foot stress fracture, and he starred up forward for East Perth with the West Perth product booting five goals from 10 possessions and seven marks.

Scott Lycett also provided a good target for the Royals with two goals from eight touches, eight marks and 15 hit outs while Paul Johnson was the best big man on the ground again with 17 disposals, six marks, 39 hit outs and two goals. Craig Wulff also booted two goals for East Perth.