WAFL Round 16: Top of the table slaughter

WAFL round 16

THE much-anticipated meeting of top teams Claremont and Swan Districts in round 16 of the WAFL turned out to be fizzier – unless you’re a fan of the Tigers who won the game by 97 points.

I was over at Leederville Oval watching another high scoring encounter between East Perth and Peel. The Royals controlled the first half and led by 34 points at half time but the game changed in the third quarter. The Thunder used a high rotation policy and switched player positions continually and seemed to confuse the Royals. Six consecutive goals gave Peel the lead before East Perth’s experienced heads settled things down. The Royals kicked five goals in a row and held off the Thunder who kept at it until the final siren. Michael Swan’s ability to do the right things at important times made him invaluable, Adam Selwood worked hard in the midfield as did Freddie Clutterbuck, Garry Moss used the ball well, Josh Smith kicked four goals and Daniel Macualey was enterprising in defence.

Jesse Crichton played with great enthusiasm after being dropped by the Dockers and kicked two goals, Peter Faulks was solid in the backline while Lee Spurr, Kris Thornton and Tom Sheridan were also good players. Young ruckman Mitch Leyendekkers also deserves a mentions for his tireless efforts against the best ruck combination in the competition.

East Perth 17.19 (121) Peel 14.8 (92)

 

Tom Lee kicked seven goals and Kane Mitchell five in the demolition at Claremont Oval. The absence of Ashley Hansen left a big hole in the Swans line up and they were never in the game. Luke Blackwell and Jarryd Morton were among many winners for the Tigers. Ruckman Wes Lammie had another good games for Swan Districts along with Michael Walters and Marlon Motlop.

Claremont 19.17 (131) Swan Districts 5.4 (34)

 

A brilliant performance from Brennan Stack, who kicked five goals, was a spark for Perth who kicked six goals to two in the third quarter to take control of their game against South Fremantle. Aaron Elari and Ross Young controlled the midfield and Tim Noakes kicked four goals.

Ryan Cook was South’s best player with Alex Grima and ruckman Sean Tighe again showing their promise.

Perth 18.12 (120) South Fremantle 12.14 (86).

The ladder: Claremont 40; Swan Districts 40; East Perth 38; East Fremantle 36; West Perth 26; Subiaco 24; Perth 16; South Fremantle 12; Peel 12.

www.australianrules.com.au

 

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

Comments

  1. Neil Belford says

    So Les – are the Royals going to win the flag. Seeing as how the top four looks set it is imperative that none of the other three do (what have I got against the Swans I hear you ask – Gary Sidebottom).

  2. Good to see those old feelings still stir deep inside Neil.
    Claremont have class, and not just the class system, on their side.
    East Fremantle have some big games coming up and could emerge as genuine contenders if they do well and even tumble out of the four if they don’t. They are very young but talented.
    East Perth have loads spirit… you wouldn’t want to play them in a grand final.
    Who knows what last Saturdays result will do for Swans.

    By the way the 2000s was East Fremantle’s first decade without a premiership….

  3. Dennis Gedling says

    Wow, interesting stat about the Sharks. Hard to believe it’s been 14 years since they put us to the sword when Dimmer first took us over.

    Claremont have to be favourites even before they put the Swans to the sword last weekend.

  4. Swannies can roll Claremont – if we have everyone on the park. Last weekend doesn’t count given the injuries and AFL callups to our best players. Whatever happens it will be the most even WAFL finals for years.

  5. Good point Mr B. Claremont thrashed Swans during 2010 too. I wonder if the first year coach at the Tigers will be found out on grand final day… by, for instance, Tony Micale.

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