WAFL Round 21: WAFL shuffle continues

Footy at the Claremont Showgrounds is different. Photo by Les Everett

Footy at the Claremont Showgrounds is different. Photo by Les Everett

There was the usual ladder movement in the WAFL following round 21 with Claremont slipping back into the five and East Perth moving to third. However the big story is on TV. Channel Seven telecasts the WAFL these days and they they won’t shows games featuring West Perth as the Falcons have the logo of their major sponsor – Channel Nine – on their jumper. With finals looming and West Perth currently second we have a big issue on our hands. The presidents of the other eight clubs reckon they have the answer – kick the Falcons out of the finals – however negotiations with the WAFC will take place this week.

At the Showgrounds East Fremantle played their best footy in weeks during the first half and a costly upset for Claremont looked on the cards when the Sharks led by over four goals at half time. The Tigers, with everything to play for, dominated the second half and won comfortably. Beau Maister kicked six goals in another outstanding effort for Claremont, Tom Ledger did some good things in the midfield and Corey Yeo maintained his good form. Brandon Ellis kicked four goals for the Sharks and defenders Andrew Stephen and Ryan Lester-Smith provided good run.

Claremont 18.7 (115) East Fremantle 12.8 (80)

At Lathlain Park top team Subiaco trailed at the first break but then went on to thrash bottom team Perth. Kyle Halligan kicked six goals for the Lions, Sam Menegola put in another outstanding performance and Chris Phelan also played well. Callum Walley kicked four goals for the Demons and the reliable Brent Latch did his bit.

Subiaco 22.15 (147) Perth 8.6 (54)

They didn’t come from the clouds this time but West Perth once again came from behind at three quarter time to claim victory. In a high-quality game the Falcons dominated Swans in the last quarter to score an important victory. Aaron Black was at his best for West Perth, Joseph Morrow had his best game for the year and Cory Chambers kicked three goals to play an important part in the win. Justin Simpson again played strongly in defence for Swan Districts and Matt Riggio worked hard in the midfield.

West Perth 14.12 (96) Swan Districts 11.9 (75)

In the game between the aligned clubs Peel looked a bit like the Dockers in the derby with missed targets and an empty forward line making scoring difficult before a late surge of sorts. On the other hand East Perth looked in control from the start. Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls was outstanding for the Royals, Kane Lucas was effective, Malcolm Karpany was lively, Mitchell Fraser continued his good form and Craig Wulff, who has turned himself into an effective small forward of the non-flashy kind, kicked two goals. Clancee Pearce was a strong midfield presence for Thunder along with Brady Grey while Gerald Ugle kicked three goals.

East Perth 13.16 (94) Peel 8.14 (62)

The ladder: Subiaco 60; West Perth 48; East Perth 44; Peel 40; Claremont 36: Swan Districts 36; South Fremantle 32; East Fremantle 20; Perth 8.

The big game next week is Swan Districts vs Claremont at Bassendean. A win for Claremont will finally put the five to bed as Swans have the bye in the last round. If the Tigers lose they’ll need to beat West Perth at Joondalup in the last round.

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. Dear ed. East Perth slipped up to third.

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