WAFL Round 7: Lions top Dogs by Les Everett

WAFL round seven…

After Subiaco kicked seven goals in the second quarter to take a 36-point lead into half time it looked like the top-of-the-table match at Fremantle Oval on Saturday was going to be a fizzer. With former Bulldog Ben Sokol kicking five goals from five kicks for the half, the Lions were too well organised and too slick. After half time the previously unbeaten South Fremantle showed great spirit with an enterprising back line keeping Subi to three behinds while the slightly wasteful forwards scored 4.5. After two misses from Ashton Hams and a goal from Marlion Pickett the Bulldogs were within a goal and it was game on. Typically the Lions steadied, their strong midfielders got back on top and the challenge was over.

Sokol (above) finished with seven goals, Kyal Horsley and Leigh Kitchen were effective, Clancy Wheeler had a great impact on the game, Aaron Heal was good in defence and Hamish Shepheard kicked three goals.

Shane Hockey was South’s best player with another solid effort in close, Marlion Pickett (above) spent a bit more time in attack and proved dangerous, Jacob Dragovich kicked three goals in his first game of the season and beanpole ruckman Josh Branchi marked well and capped his game with a brilliant goal on the run from the boundary late in the last quarter.

Subiaco remain the only unbeaten team.

Subiaco 15.16 (106) South Fremantle 10.15 (75)

At Kulin Oval 280km south-east of Perth West Perth and Claremont staged an entertaining encounter with the Falcons running out seven-point winners after trailing at each break. The best-on-ground award presented after the game went to West Perth’s Joel Lesson who kicked four goals, Andrew Strijk was on target early and also kicked four goals while Luke Meadows and Shane Nelson continued their outstanding form.

Darcy Cameron again marked strongly and kicked four goals and looks to be the best prospect in the WAFL. Ryan Neates was also in strong form along with Zac Langdon in his second game.

West Perth 15.11 (101) Claremont 15.4 (94)

At Rushton Park Peel found some accuracy and some scoring power in thrashing Perth by 77 points. The Thunder kicked seven straight goals in the first quarter to set the pattern. Shane Yarran, in his first game of the year and first for Peel since being drafted, kicked three early goals, Clancy Pearce dominated the midfield along with Nick Suban, who kicked three goals, and Matt De Boer. Captain Gerald Ugle kicked three goals as did youngster Matt Uebergang.

Peel 19.9 (123) Perth 7.4 (46)

On Sunday at Leederville Oval East Perth kicked the first four goals and were 26 points up before East Fremantle did anything. And that was about that for the Royals who failed to score in the second quarter and couldn’t cope with hard running Sharks Cameron Eardley, Jamie McNamara, Liam Anthony and Dion Anthony. George Hampson was a star in the forward line where he kicked three goals and caused all sorts of trouble. Brock O’Brien was creative in defence, James Bristow worked hard in the ruck and Brandon Ellis took a couple of strong marks.

East Perth didn’t have many four quarter performers but Steven Payne, Shayne Hille, Craig Wulff (two goals) and Kane Lucas all battled away while Nathan Blee was good in defence.

East Fremantle 13.15 (93) East Perth 8.8 (56)

The ladder: Subiaco 24; South Fremanlte 20; Peel 16; East Fremantle 12; East Perth 12; West Perth 12; Claremont 8; Swan Districts 4; Perth 4.

Next week: Claremont vs South Fremantle; Subiaco vs East Fremantle; West Perth vs Peel; Perth vs Swan Districts.