WAFL Round Six
A big crowd turned out for the Anzac Day Monday holiday Fremantle derby at Fremantle Oval and the visitors were just a little too slick. The Bulldogs began well but the Sharks midfield led by Cameron Eardley and Rory O’Brien took control. Big men Robbie Young (East) and Brock Higgins (South) had a great duel and each deserved to be named among the best for their team – perhaps the best. Boston Williamson did some nice things for East Fremantle and tall forward Jack Perham was a good presence. The Bulldogs got some exciting run from Marlon Pickett and youngster Jacob Dragovich, who made an impressive debut, captain Ryan Cook kicked two important goals and worked hard all afternoon. Ben Saunders had three kicks, one a behind after the final siren, kicked two goals but provided what could be the highlight of the season with a towering mark in the last quarter.
East Fremantle 13.15 (93) South Fremantle 11.10 (76)
West Perth staged a last gasp comeback to pull off an important win at home over Swan Districts and slip into the top five. The Falcons kicked six goals to three in the last quarter to win by seven points. Shane Nelson was excellent in the midfield, Matthew Fowler and Matthew Johnson each kicked three goals while Laine Rasmussen and Aidan Lynch were strong players. Ryan Davis and Jake Nuich each kicked three goals for Swans and Nathan Broad and Josh Simpson got plenty of the ball.
West Perth 12.12 (84) Swan Districts 12.5 (77)
On Saturday Peel, normally the bottom team, had a comfortable victory over this year’s bottom team Claremont. The thing that has made Thunder better this year, apart from the good form of the Dockers and their growing depth, is the inclusion and form of handy players Gerald Ugle, who kicked three goals on Saturday, Leroy Jetta, Josh Bootsma and youngster Braydon Lawler along with inspirational skipper Brendan Jones. Max Duffy kicked three goals against the Tigers and Josh Ballard and Hayden Crozier were dynamic in the midfield. Darcy Cameron kicked three goals for Claremont while Ryan Neates and Matthew Davies worked hard.
Peel 16.12(108) Claremont 11.15 (81)
A funny thing happened at Lathlain Park where East Perth decided to use Kyle Anderson at full forward. Best known as a close checking defender, Anderson enjoyed the change and kicked seven goals as the Royals thumped Perth. He has now kicked eight goals in 67 games. Paul Johnson returned to his best in the ruck, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Brendan Lee and Stephen Payne kept up their good form and Tom Barrass again showed a bit in defence. Dene White kicked three goals for the Demons and Jarad Bell and Aidan Tropiano were again good.
East Perth 20.18 (138) Perth 5.5 (35)
The ladder: Subiaco 16; Peel 16; East Fremantle 16; East Perth 12; West Perth 12; South Fremantle 12; Swan Districts 8; Perth 4; Claremont 0.
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/
Great win for the cardies. Turned the radio off in the disgust at around the 17 minutes mark of the last quarter. I’m tempted to go and see West Perth play Claremont at the Showgrounds following the Geelong game just to see if it’s depressing as everyone says it is.