The WAFL season began on Good Friday and the Round 1 games couldn’t have been much closer. Three wins by less than a goal, one by eight points and Peel came from behind at three quarter time to beat East Fremantle by 31 points.
An interesting feature of the close games was that each loser had more scores than the victor. And when you consider East Fremantle led 10.11 to 10.4 at three quarter time, the importance of accurate kicking for goal was clear.
At Leederville on Friday both teams had periods of control and moved the ball well. No player was more effective than East Perth full forward Sebit Kuek (pictured) who had a hand in each of his team’s first five goals, kicked two, including the sealer, and was vital in the last quarter.
Kuek did something unusual in the final moments of the game. Swans kicked a goal to get within four points and, after the bounce, the Royals raced to flood the back line. Kuek stayed where he was – a loose man in the forward line. Good strategy, I thought. Of course the runner was out in a flash, “Behind the ball! Behind the ball!”
Hamish Brayshaw was solid throughout and kicked a great goal in the last quarter and Scott Jones made things happen in the ruck. Brayden Noble is becoming a very reliable key forward for Swans and kicked five goals while Tony Notte’s marking was a highlight of the game.
Round 1 scores:
East Perth 12.7 (79) Swan Districts 11.9 (75)
Claremont 9.11 (65) West Perth 8.13 (61)
Peel 17.8 (110) East Fremantle 11.12 (78)
Perth 9.8 (62) West Coast 8.12 (60)
South Fremantle 8.7 (55) Subiaco 6.11 (47)
Subiaco played a stack of first gamers last week due to Covid. This week it’s Claremont’s turn and, to a lesser extent, Peel.
Round 2 matches:
Saturday: South Fremantle vs West Coast; Swan Districts vs East Fremantle; Claremont vs Subiaco.
Sunday: Peel vs West Perth; Perth vs East Perth.
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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/
You’re 2-0 on me this year so far Les. Though this was far more competitive and enjoyable than the AFL Derby.
To my eye you looked a bigger stronger side than last year. Big Scott Jones certainly gave your midfield an armchair ride at the clearances. Swans were too slow trying to be precise with their ball movement. Suspect we need a faster ball movement game to compensate for lack of big bodies.
Hoping for a more even WAFL comp this year with several teams positioned to challenge the perennial Big 3 of Subiaco, South Freo and Claremont. Fingers crossed for a bumper WAFL season and finals action for Swans and Royals.
(Good picture of Brandon – far right).
Thought of you Peter_B when I considered cropping the photo.
East Perth seem to have a lot of chunky blokes (not that there’s anything wrong with that) who might have strength but lack a bit of pace. Kuek (pronounced ‘quick’ according to Tony Micale on Sport FM) is the opposite of chunky.