Round 9 McDonald’s WAFL Results

SOUTH Fremantle celebrated the 100th game of its captain to remain on top of the WAFL ladder with a win over Peel Thunder on Saturday while Subiaco and East Perth both bounced back from losses to East Fremantle, and the Sharks won for a third straight time.

All four Round 9 WAFL matches took place on Saturday afternoon with South Fremantle kicking the last seven goals to beat Peel Thunder 16.11 (107) to 9.12 (66) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval to celebrate the 100th game of captain Ryan Cook.

Subiaco suffered its first loss of the season last week but bounced back well at the Showground beating Claremont 17.13 (115) to 11.5 (71).

East Perth suffered a loss to East Fremantle as well before a bye last week, and the Royals delivered a comfortable 17.12 (114) to 3.5 (23) victory over Swan Districts at Medibank Stadium.

East Fremantle scored a third straight victory beating Perth 16.12 (108) to 10.9 (69) at ATOM Stadium.

The round’s results leave South Fremantle (7-1) on top of the ladder percentage ahead of Subiaco (7-1).

East Fremantle remains third (5-3) ahead of Peel Thunder (4-4) and East Perth (4-4). West Perth (4-4) is just outside the top five followed by Claremont (2-6), Perth (2-6) and Swan Districts (1-7).

Little separated South Fremantle and Peel for much of the afternoon at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. The Bulldogs continued to hold a slender lead every time the Thunder threatened to hit the lead, and the visitors were building some momentum with the first two goals of the last quarter.

However, from there South Fremantle took over with the last seven goals of the contest to win by 41 points to retain top spot on the ladder and hand Peel a second straight loss.

It was the perfect way for the Bulldogs to celebrate the 100th game of captain Ryan Cook and he finished with 27 possessions and 12 marks.

It was also the 100th game with Peel for Rory O’Brien and the five-time fairest and best winner at two clubs, and 2013 Sandover Medallist, finished with 26 disposals and six marks.

Ben Saunders and Josh Pullman were two important inclusions for South Fremantle at either end of the ground with the former kicking three goals from 11 touches and six marks, and the latter doing well in his key defensive role with eight touches and seven marks opposed to Peel’s tall forwards.

South Fremantle also unveiled another debutant with midfielder Jake Florenca playing his first league game and delivering 16 disposals and a goal.

Ashton Hams shook off the tag of Brady Grey to rack up 35 possessions for the Bulldogs with Adam McIntosh finishing with 23 touches (12 marks), Blayne Wilson 23 (10 marks), Tim Kelly 22 (two goals), Adam Guglielmana 22 (eight marks) and Jacob Dragovich 21.

Michael Barlow and Matt De Boer had days out in the Peel midfield in an attempt to win back their spots at Fremantle. Barlow finished with 39 possessions and 12 marks, and De Boer 39 disposals, eight tackles and six inside 50s.

Michael Apeness kicked two goals for Peel in his first league game of the season with Brady Grey collecting 21 disposals, Darcy Tucker 19, Sam Collins 17, Josh Deluca 17 and Brayden Lawler 17.

Subiaco hadn’t lost since Round 20 of last year and that was just by a point before last week’s 80-point thumping at the hands of East Fremantle.

That left some questions over how the Lions would respond but there should have been no queries with them shaking off Claremont after a competitive first half with six goals to two in the third quarter setting up the eventual 44-point victory.

Hamish Shepheard went goalless last week but returned to form on Saturday kicking six goals from 17 possessions and 10 marks. Second-gamer Liam Ryan also booted four goals and Clancy Wheeler two to go with 21 touches and six marks.

Lachlan Delahunty racked up 27 possessions for Subiaco, Craig Hoskins 24, Kyal Horsley 23, Chris Phelan 22, debutant Max Walters 20 and Simon Moore 20.

Claremont has now lost its last four matches and Beau Maister, Darcy Cameron and Haydn Busher all failed to kick a goal against Subiaco. Jack Richardson did boot three along with two to Ian Richardson, Jack Bradshaw and Jye Bolton.

Ryan Neates finished with 29 possessions for the Tigers, Bolton 28, Tom Ledger 24, Jake Murphy 23, Ian Richardson 23, Ryan Lim 21 and Brandon Franz 18 to go with 12 marks.

East Fremantle continued its impressive form backing up wins over East Perth and Subiaco with a 39-point victory over Perth.

The Sharks set up the victory with the advantage of the breeze in the first quarter with six goals to two. Another six goals to three in the second term saw the Sharks lead by 46 points at half-time. Despite Perth outscoring East Fremantle in the second half, the Sharks cruised to the 39-point win.

It was a surprise packet bobbing up in the East Fremantle forward-line as well with captain Jamie McNamara playing out of the forward pocket delivering five goals. He had never previously kicked more than two goals in any of his 117 games for the Sharks.

His strong marking was a particularly highlight especially his screamer on the back of Michael Sinclair in the first quarter.

As well as McNamara’s five goals, George Hampson and Brock O’Brien did as they pleased for the Sharks.

Hampson split his time between forward and the midfield finishing with 30 possessions and four goals with O’Brien racking up 37 disposals and 21 marks off half-back.

Brett Peake kicked another three goals for East Fremantle and Liam Anthony two despite Perth’s Cody Leggett doing well on the wing limiting him to 17 possessions.

Sean Henson also had 26 disposals for the Sharks, Dion Anthony 22, Ryan Lester-Smith 22 and Jayden Schofield 22.

Perth had 10 individual goal scorers with Aidan Tropiano racking up 33 possessions, Julian Jacobs 32, Clint Jones 31, Liam McKenna 27 and Zac Fisher 23. Brent Latch was terrific in defence keeping Matthew Watson scoreless while having 20 touches and six marks himself.