WAFL – Round 23: Three into two won’t go

WAFL

By Les Everett

STRANGE things happened at Fremantle Oval on Saturday. East Perth kicked the first five goals and were looking very much like a premiership contender despite the absence of the competition’s leading goalscorer Josh Smith. The Bulldogs found something in the second quarter when each team kicked five goals. The second half was the kind of goal orgy that would make Ross Lyon livid. South scored 15.1 and the Royals scored 10.4 giving the home team an unlikely 12-point win. Marlon Pickett kicked three goals in an impress debut for the Bulldogs, evergreen midfielder Kris Miller kicked five goals as did talented forward Ben Saunders. Dylan Ross was solid, Paul Mugambwa kicked three goals and Adam Guglielmana was creative. Adam Selwood kicked five goals for East Perth, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls had another good game and Arthur Bennell impressed with four goals.

South Fremantle 22.13 (145) East Perth 21.7 (133)

 

Swan Districts jumped East Fremantle at Bassendean and then had to overcome a fightback that actually won back the lead for the Sharks in the last quarter. Led by youngster Charlie Cameron, who kicked five goals, Swans took control and went on to win by 23 points. Aaron Elari was strong in the midfield for the home team and Tallan Ames dominant in defence. Mark McGough did his bit for East Fremantle and Brett Peake played his best game of the year and scored three goals.

Swan Districts 14.19 (103) 12.8 (80)

 

Claremont ended Perth’s faint finals fantasy at Lathlain Park but the Demons fought the game out and went down by just 15 points after leading by 12 at quarter time. Jake Murphy was outstanding in the midfield for the Tigers and kicked three goals, Luke Blackwell is back to his best and James Thomson worked hard in defence. Brennan Stack kicked four goals for the Demons and Brett Hodge put in his usual high quality performance.

Claremont 14.12 (96) Perth 12.9 (81)

 

Peel had already secured the wooden spoon but their 45-point loss to Subiaco at Leederville Oval confirmed their status. George Hampson was outstanding for the Lions, Aidan Parker played forward and kicked three goals while big men Clancy Wheeler and Andrew McDougall were strong performers. Jesse Chrichton was the best Thunder player, Matt Orzel kicked three goals and Brendan Jones made sure his last WAFL game was a good one.

Subiaco 18.14 (122) Peel 12.5 (77)

 

All this means there are three very live games on Saturday. East Fremantle must beat top Claremont and then hope either East Perth lose to Subiaco or Swan Districts lose to West Perth so they can sneak into the four. All three contenders are also in contention to host the first semi final. In the other game Perth host Subiaco.

The ladder: Claremont 68; West Perth 52; Swan Districts 44; East Perth 44; East Fremantle 40; Perth 36; South Fremantle 24; Subiaco 24; Peel 12.

 

• Marlon Pickett about to kick a goal during his impressive debut for South Fremantle. Photo by Les Everett

 

 

About Les Everett

A Footy Almanac veteran, Les Everett is the author of Gravel Rash: 100 Years of Goldfields Football and Fremantle Dockers: An Illustrated History. He is the footyalmanac.com WAFL correspondent and uses the money he makes from that role to pay for his expensive websites australianrules.com.au and talkingfrankie.com and fund the extravagant Vin Maskell at scoreboardpressure.com

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