• South Fremantle’s Blake Schlensog. Photos by Les Everett
WAFL round seven
In a round full of interest and some surprise the performances of the WAFL’s two AFL-linked teams were remarkably contrasting. West Coast, featuring just six AFL-listed players, were absolutely thrashed by East Fremantle. Peel, with five AFL-listed players, kicked eight straight goals in the first quarter and led all day to beat Perth.
At East Fremantle Oval Jonathon Marsh kicked seven goals and Josh Schoenfield starred in the midfield to propel the Sharks into fourth spot with a nice percentage boost. The Eagles managed three goals.
Perth steadied after Peel’s great start at Lathlain Park and for a while victory seemed possible. But it was a great win for the Thunder locals who came into the team to replace Dockers who headed to a Gold Coast hub. Tiny Tyrone Thorne was brilliant for Peel along with experienced midfielders Jackson Merrett and Ben Hancock while Luke Valente played his best game since being drafted by Fremantle. Hayden Busher (three goals) led the Perth fightback.
Hard hit by injury, Subiaco pulled off a surprise by comfortably beating the previously undefeated Claremont at Leederville Oval. Nicholas Martin kicked four goals for the Lions and Michael Braut was brilliant in defence. Alex Manuel kicked three goals for the Tigers.
There were two big comebacks at Arena Joondalup. One by West Perth who kicked just one goal in the first half and trailed Swan Districts by 15 points at three quarter time. The Falcons scored four goals to none in the last quarter. But the biggest comeback was by 36-year-old Jason Salecic who retired after the 2013 grand final but decided to give it another go this year.
Schloithe and Schlensog were difference between the two teams. Haiden Schloithe with his stunning disposal and three goals and Blake Schloensog with his solid and dashing defence. Opponents East Perth were admirable and maybe even a bit unlucky. Defenders Jacob Msando, Taylor North and Brad Fullgrabe were outstanding for the Royals.
• East Perth’s Jacob Msando.
East Fremantle 22.15 (147) West Coast 3.4 (22)
Peel 14.8 (92) Perth 11.11 (77)
Subiaco 13.16 (94) Claremont 7.12 (54)
West Perth 9.8 (62) Swan Districts 8.5 (53)
South Fremantle 10.4 (64) East Perth 8.9 (57)
Ladder: Subiaco 16; Claremont 16; South Fremantle 16; East Fremantle 12; Peel 12; Swan Districts 12; West Perth 8; Perth 8; East Perth 0; West Coast 0.
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