WAFL round 11…
The new digital scoreboard at Rushton Park. Photos by Les Everett
All eyes on West Perth’s Kris Shannon as he drives the ball out of defence.
West Perth and Peel put on a goal kicking clinic at Rushton Park. The lead changed regularly and Thunder were in attack when the final siren sounded. Luke Meadows, who kicked three goals, was an extraordinarily effective player for the Falcons, big defenders Nic Rodda and Marcus Adams are in fine form, the highly skilled Matthew Johnson kicked four goals, Jay Van Berlo and Aaron Black were good in the midfield, Kris Shannon worked hard and Tyler Keitel kicked three goals on debut.
Tyler Keitel marks strongly in the goal square.
Young midfielders Connor Blakely and Jacob Ballard showed dash and strength for Peel, Brendan Jones used the ball well in defence, Jack Hannah was effective in the ruck, Max Duffy and Leroy Jetta each kicked four goals, Tendai Mzungu did his best to get his team over the line and Ethan Hughes did some good things in the back line.
West Perth 17.9?(111) Peel Thunder 17.5?(107)
Subiaco have been off the scene for a few weeks. Their return would have done nothing for confidence of the other eight teams. The Lions beat East Fremantle by 48 points and added salt to the Shark pain by unveiling new recruit Sam Menegola, who has spent time on the Hawthorn and Fremantle lists, against his original club. Menegola was the best player on the ground, Brett Robinson had another strong game and ruckman David Madut played probably his best game at league level.
Brock O’Brien worked hard in defence for East Fremantle and Sean Henson returned to form.
Subiaco 15.18?(108) East Fremantle 8.12?(60)
It was tight until three quarter time at Fremantle Oval but South ran away from Perth with a seven-goal last quarter to strengthen their place in the top five. Josh Pullman kicked four goals in a brilliant performance for the Bulldogs, youngster Jacob Dragovich again showed dash and Steven Verrier had another good game in defence. Outstanding Demon AidanTropiano was the best midfielder on the ground and Cody Leggett and Jarryd Morton each kicked three goals.
South Fremantle 17.10?(112) v Perth 11.8?(74)
Jack Darling made a five-goal return to football at Bassendean in East Perth’s 17-point win over Swan Districts. Paul Johnson again dominated the ruck and Mitchell Fraser provided great run. Ryan Davis kicked three goals in another fine effort for Swans (put him in your Sandover black book,) Adam Faulkner worked hard in the midfield and Matthew Jukes kicked three goals. The win sent the Royals back into the top five.
East Perth 13.9?(87) Swan Districts ?11.4?(70)
The ladder: Subiaco 32; West Perth 24; South Fremantle 24; East Perth 20; Peel 20; East Fremantle 20; Swan Districts 16; Claremont 16; Perth 4.
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/
I was down in Mandurah for that game and was the best WAFL game I’ve seen in quite a while. I think 15 points or so may have been the biggest lead during the entire game. Kietel had a fantastic debut and he also has been given the legendary Paul Mifka’s #37.
This afternoon Steve Malaxos resigned as coach of East Fremantle.