WAFL: Top four book their places
It was getting gloomy when Jimmy Miller pulled in this mark for South Freo in the last quarter. [Les Everett]
WAFL Round 18
Strong wins by the top four teams has ensured finals involvement but there’s still the prospect of some shuffling.
‘He’s back baby!’ was the call from team mates as Mason Shaw slotted goals in his emphatic return to form at Fremantle Oval. Shaw kicked five as South Fremantle thrashed Subiaco. The talented Steven Edwards returned for the Bulldogs showing some of his customary dash and Jimmy Miller kicked three goals and was responsible for a brilliant bit of ruck work that resulted in a goal by Dylan Main.
The best game was at Claremont where Peel almost reeled in a 44-point deficit with six goals in a row in the third quarter. The Tigers did enough in a tight last quarter to win by 15 points. Oliver Eastland was important in the ruck for the Tigers and midfielder Ben Edwards kicked two goals in a dynamic display. Neil Erasmus kicked three of Peel’s third quarter goals and Liam Henry again caught the eye.
East Fremantle and Swan Districts are both a bit banged up and there was only four points between them at half time in their clash at the WACA. The Sharks kicked 14 goals to two in second half. Ryan Lester-Smith has been pretty good for East Fremantle this year and did well in the midfield. Jon Marsh kicked four goals.
In the Perth derby at East Fremantle Oval (these are extraordinary times) the Falcons pulled away in the second half to record an easy victory. Former East Perth forward Mitch Dobson kicked four goals for West Perth as did Keegan Knott.
In the late televised game at Lathlain Park the score at quarter time was Perth 4.3 (27) West Coast 0.0. (0) – surely the Eagles have set some sort of record for scoreless quarters. The Demons went on to ensure the wooden spoon remains in West Coast (wherever that is). Exciting prospects Harry Quartermaine and Simon Hayward each kicked three goals. The official crowd was ‘about 1,800’ – the best of the round.
The big game this Saturday is at Claremont between the Tigers and the Sharks. A win will take East Fremantle into second place.
There could also be an interesting game at Rushton Park between Peel and West Coast. There is a chance the Eagles will include players who have finished the season in the AFL team. There’s also chance Fremantle players Nathan Fyfe and Matt Taberner will have a run for the Thunder.
Results
Perth 13.11 (89) d West Coast 6.6 (42)
Claremont 13.11 (89) d Peel 11.8 (74)
South Fremantle 19.18 (132) d Subiaco 6.8 (44)
West Perth 17.12 (144) d East Perth 6.8 (44)
East Fremantle 20.15 (135) d Swan Districts 8.9 (57)
Ladder
West Perth 50
Claremont 48
East Fremantle 44
South Fremantle 42
Peel 36
Swan Districts 36
East Perth 24
Subiaco 24
Perth 12
West Coast 4
Round 19
Saturday: Claremont v East Fremantle, Peel v West Coast, Subiaco v Perth, Swan Districts v West Perth
Sunday: South Fremantle v East Perth
The Bulldogs did a job on Subiaco [Les Everett]
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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. Co-founder with Vin Maskell of scoreboardpressure.com. Founder of australianrules.com.au and the Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/abandonedcricketpitches/
East Perth coach Jeremy Barnard and Perth’s Garry Moss were sacked today.
Reason #3,476 not to take my tips or bet on anything that talks. I’m notoriously pessimistic about most things including my footy teams. Sat down pre-game in the first sun of spring and looked out across the wide firm green WACA after 2 months of muddy grounds and confidently declared “Swans will win by 6 goals today”. Well I was only 19 goals out! Yikes, I feel like a Central Bank economist.
East Freo were only bigger, faster, stronger and way more skilled than Swans. We hung in the first half despite being well down on possessions and inside 50’s. After half time it was 15 goals to 2. 402 disposals to 273. 69 I50’s to 37. A shame not a game.
My only conclusions were that Swans collectively got stage fright on the biggest occasion of the season. Only Tony Notte and Will Collins held their own in defence. And Notte hurt his knee in the 3Q and will be nervously waiting scan results. Not a great way to celebrate 279 games and becoming the second highest games played for Swans behind 4x Sandover Medallist Billy Walker. Watching Tony’s marking and unassuming generous team man personality has been one of the great joys of being involved with WAFL the last few years.
Fortunately Claremont beat Peel and Swans still have a finals pulse if we can win our last 2 games, starting with ladder leaders West Perth at home. Onwards.