Peel Thunder have taken a grip on a finals spot after a powerful victory over East Perth at Leederville Oval.
The Royals began well and controlled things for the first 15 minutes until Peel began get organised and dominated the second and third quarters. Strong midfield work from Tendai Mzungu, Andrew Haydon and Matt De Boer got the Thunder going, Matt Taberner moved well in the forward line and kicked two goals, Jon Griffin won the ruck battle and Anthony Morabito (pictured) was effective in defence. Tom Gorter was good in defence for East Perth and Sam Powell-Pepper made a promising league debut.
Peel Thunder 13.11 (89) East Perth 7.11 (53)
At Bassendean Jye Bolton put in another brilliant performance as Claremont made it hard for Swan Districts for score and moved up the ladder with a 54-point victory. Beau Maister booted five goals for the Tigers, Mitch Andrews was strong in the ruck and Tom Shanahan put in another disciplined performance. Young defenders Laurence Grescos and Brandon Erceg were outstanding for Swans and Matt Riggio and Todd Banfield maintained their good form.
Claremont 14.15 (99) Swan Districts 6.9 (45)
Perth gave plenty of cheek at Festive Oval in Carnarvon but second placed South Fremantle got on top during the third quarter and ran away with the game in the last. Mason Shaw kicked five goals, Ben Saunders four and Haiden Schloithe three for the Bulldogs and Dylan Main and Brendan Verrier were good performers. Michael Sinclair again good for the Demons and Cody Ninyette kicked two goals in a promising debut.
South Fremantle 17.11 (113) Perth 11.10 (76)
At Kingsway Reserve in Wanneroo Subiaco made short work of West Perth. Adam Cockie was strong in the midfield along with Leigh Kitchen and Chris Phelan and Brett Stevenson kicked three goals. Andrew Strijk kicked four of West Perth’s five goals, Dean Munns kept Kyal Horsley quiet and Shane Nelson was in brilliant form before a facial injury in the last quarter put him hospital.
Subiaco 12.17 (89) West Perth 5.7 (37)
The ladder:
Subiaco 56
South Fremantle 48
West Perth 44
Peel 40
East Perth 36
East Fremantle 32
Claremont 20
Perth 24
Swan Districts 8
Next week:
South Fremantle v Swan Districts
Perth v East Fremantle
East Perth v Subiaco
West Perth v Claremont.
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
You summarised the Swans and Claremont game perfectly Les. Funnily Swans dominated possession for long periods but lacked a marking forward and butchered the ball in the midfield consistently.
Beau Maister was the difference and his marking and straight kicking dominated our key defenders in Notte and Ames (which is a big effort as they have been in good form). Young Laurence Grescos had his best game for Swans as a running, rebounding defender. Brandon Erceg (my nephew – unbiased) took Jake Waterman to the cleaners after his 5 goal debut. Had 4 disposals this week. Talent only takes you so far without effort.
The consolation from a 9 goal loss was that the Swans players had a crack and were in the game until half way through the last quarter. Next season………….