WAFL Round 1: All smiles and Sharks on top

Trent Manzone (West Perth) executes an almost-look-away handball at Fremantle Oval. [Source: Les Everett]

 

 

The first round of the WAFL season has been completed and everyone should be at least a little bit happy.

 

 

Let’s have a look at the losers.

 

 

Swan Districts scored 18.1 (109). You don’t post a score like that very often so it’s something to be proud of…even if it was 18 points off the winning score. Strong form from Sandover Medal winner Sam Fisher was a highlight.

 

 

East Perth kicked five goals in a row in the first quarter and fought the game out despite losing ruckman Scott Jones early and Tom Edwards-Baldwin to one of the worst examples of a dangerous tackle I’ve seen. Ajang Ajang was impressive.

 

 

West Perth kept coming at the premiers and, as usual, look like a team full of spirit. Tyler Keitel and Keegan Knott each kicked four goals.

 

 

Aligned teams West Coast and Peel also lost but they are not in the results-based business. The Eagles would be pleased by former Peel player Isiah Winder who kicked five goals. Sam Sturt’s five goals for Peel might be enough to get him back into the AFL with the Dockers next weekend.

 

 

And the winners?

 

 

South Freo’s Cody Ninyette [Source: Les Everett]

South Fremantle look stronger than they were in 2020. Matthew Parker is back and was brilliant in the midfield, Cam McCarthy is back and looked in need of a run. Cody Ninyette has proved to be a handy pick up – he kicked five goals.

 

 

Subiaco used defender Aaron Heal (four goals) and Michael Braut (three) as forwards but it was devastating work of midfielders Leigh Kitchin in particular and Harry Marsh that really made the difference.

 

 

Claremont were five goals down in the second quarter but the WAFL’s best player Jye Bolton led his team out of the mire. Alex Manuel kicked four goals.

 

 

East Fremantle are on top of the ladder. They’ve recruited well. Josh Schoenfield was a star on Good Friday while Luke Strnadica controlled the ruck.

 

 

Chris Masten was at his hard running best for Perth and fellow tough midfielder Brady Grey also started the season well.

 

 

All happy? Good. Seeya next week.

 

 

Round 1

Claremont 20.13 (133) Swan Districts 18.1 (109)

Subiaco 15.14 (104) East Perth 11.10 (76)

South Fremantle 16.10 (106) West Perth 13.7 (85)

Perth 16.12 (108) West Coast 15.5 (95)

East Fremantle 15.16 (106) Peel 11.8 (74)

 

 

 

Jimmy Miller celebrates Nick Suban’s sealer for South Fremantle [Source: 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/

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