Last week we mentioned the importance of round four for Subiaco, Swan Districts and Perth. Well they all won – by margins of one point, nine points and one point – and so the ladder has bunched up with only the Eagles looking to be without hope.
West Perth went to the top of the ladder with a victory over South Fremantle; a volley by Max Walters with seconds to go gave Subi their first win of the season and Perth hung on to beat Peel with Sam Stubbs kicking four goals. Neil Erasmus did something that’s crept in this year – he lined up for Peel after playing part of the last quarter for Fremantle night before. Bailey Banfield and Jake Waterman have done the same thing. I can’t recall it happening in the past.
I watched the game from Bassendean on TV. It always seemed Claremont would take over but Swans kept at it and some bold play and fantastic high marking in defence were rewarded. Jesse Turner was powerful in the midfield, Tony Notte and Nathan Ireland stopped attacks with their marking in the back line while Chris Jones kicked five goals. Lachlan Martinis provided run from defence for the Tigers, Ryan Lim probably ensured himself a spot in the WAFL team and Jye Bolton is again a talking point for 1. gaining 51 disposals; 2. not being in the WAFL squad.
The WAFL will play the SANFL at Perth Stadium on Sunday as a curtain raiser to the AFL blockbuster between the top and bottom teams.
Round four continues with East Fremantle playing West Coast at East Fremantle Oval*. The game was postponed for a week because West Coast didn’t have enough players.
Swan Districts 11.14 (80) Claremont 10.11 (71)
Subiaco 12.12 (84) East Perth 12.11 (83)
Perth 13.10 (88) Peel 13.9 (87)
West Perth 9.9 (63) South Fremantle 8.7 (55)
Ladder: West Perth 12; Claremont 12; South Fremantle 8; East Perth 8; Peel 8; Swan Districts 8; East Fremantle 8; Perth 8; Subiaco 4; West Coast 0.
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