There were only two games in Round 15 in the WAFL but the results were significant.
At Leederville Oval Subiaco thrashed Peel and again cleared out to a three-game margin on the ladder. The Thunder were sloppy but competitive in the second quarter – that was as good as it got. The Lions are not at full strength but they play with great discipline. Chris Phelan was in control all afternoon, Michael Wood kicked three goals in another promising display, Brett Robinson kicked two vital goals in the third quarter and worked strongly in the midfield, Chris Deluca was dangerous in attack, Sam Menegola again looked very good and, like Wood, must have enjoyed performing against the blokes he trained and played with last year. Jordan Lockyer and Charles Le Fanu were good in defence and Leigh Kitchin made another claim for recruit of the year honours. Jacob Ballard is a strong-bodied midfielder and certainly did his bit for Peel, Josh Bootsma was decisive in defence, Brady Grey impressed in the midfield and Jon Griffin was the best ruckman on the ground and kicked two goals.
Subiaco 15.9 (99) Peel Thunder 6.8 (44)
It was a thriller at Bassendean and the home team scored a crucial victory that propelled them to third on the ladder. Tallan Ames seems to have escaped the back line and kicked two important goals in a strong effort for the winners, Joel Houghton had another good game, Adam Faulkner did the hard work in the middle and Nathan Broad and Tony Notte again impressed. Mitchell Fraser had another good game for the Royals, Matt Rosa was lively, Steven Payne did plenty of good work including kicking two goals and Paul Johnson’s work around the ground made him the most important big man in the game.
Swan Districts 9.10 (64) East Perth 8.12 (60)
There are some crucial games next week. Claremont host South Fremantle at the Showgrounds, Peel play East Fremantle at Rushton Park and East Perth meet top team and Leederville co-tenant Subiaco. Wins by South, Peel and Subi will open up a gap between the top five and the rest for the first time in a long time.
The ladder: Subiaco 44; West Perth 32; Swan Districts 28; Peel 28; South Fremantle 28; East Perth 24; Claremont 24; East Fremantle 20; 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/
Go Subi! Any WAFL players looming as likely AFL players in 2016 Les? Or, more specifically, who should the Hawks be looking at?
Cheers
I’ll send a list to the Hawks Rick.
But the ones worth a look would include…
Marcus Adams (West Perth) – built like a body builder but surprisingly athletic as a key defender. Could be a forward too.
Shane Yarran (Subi) – the leading goalscorer has some chinks but glorious skills would make him worth working on.
Aiden Tropiano (Perth) – former East Freo player who could win the Sandover Medal despite the Demons winning just one game so far. Continually wins the ball at clearances.
Sam Menegola (Subi) – also formerly from East Freo. Has had time on the rookie lists at Hawks and Dockers so maybe has had his chance. Lots of injury in the past and this year too but has looked the classic big midfielder since he resumed playing a few weeks ago. Kicks goals.
Francis Watson (Claremont) – Liked him the WA 18s last year and thought he’d be drafted. Looking impressive as a defender and the season in the seniors with the Tigers won’t do him any harm.
I’ll think more on this but have just been asked to do something around the house for a change….
I normally charge the AFL clubs $7.95 a player for this kind of intelligence. Free to you Rick and the Almanac family.