Round 15 Match ReportsSunday, July 15, 2018 - 7:09 AM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO asserted its dominance over the WAFL in 2018 once again on Saturday with a 10-goal win over the second placed South Fremantle while Perth and East Perth recorded wins to take them into fourth and fifth position respectively.

There were three matches in Round 15 of the WAFL with each taking place on Saturday afternoon and in the end it saw Subiaco make it 13 straight to open the season while Perth beat Peel and East Perth thrashed Swan Districts to see both move into the top five.

The day got underway with Subiaco ending up kicking the last eight goals of the game to beat South Fremantle 13.10 (88) to 3.10 (28) at Leederville Oval.

Perth also finished strongly to come from behind to beat Peel Thunder 10.15 (75) to 10.7 (67) at Lathlain Park to improve to fourth position while East Perth moved back to fifth with an 18.7 (115) to 8.6 (54) victory over Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval.

The day got underway at Leederville Oval with Subiaco potentially receiving its biggest challenge of the season at the hands of the second placed South Fremantle.

The Bulldogs started brightly with the first two goals of the contest to Steven Edwards and Ben Saunders before Subiaco responded with the last three of the first term.

Subiaco then kicked the only goal of the second quarter to lead by 14 points at half-time. Another two goals to one in the third term and the Lions were up by 19 points at the last change.

Subiaco went on to dominate the last term with the seven goals to romp to the 60-point triumph for a 13th straight win of 2018.

The conditions certainly didn’t invite an attractive brand of football and both teams made plenty more mistakes than they are accustomed to, but Subiaco got rolling in the end.

Tom Edwards-Baldwin kicked three goals and Braden Fimmano two while Ben Sokol once again enjoyed taking on his original club with two goals, 22 possessions and 11 marks.

Kyal Horsley was superb for Subiaco with 30 possessions while Hayden Kennedy finished with 28, Lachlan Delahunty 28, Josh Deluca 26, Chris Phelan 26, Leigh Kitchin 23, Greg Clark 22, Ben Sokol 22 and Aaron Heal 20.

Ben Saunders kicked two goals for South Fremantle while Jacob Dragovich gathered 26 disposals, Haiden Schloithe 25, Dylan Main 24, Marlion Pickett 24, Ryan Cook 22, Shaun Bewick 21 and Nick Suban 21.

Then at Lathlain Park, Perth hosted Peel Thunder with both teams knowing they would move into the top five with a victory.

Peel started strongly with the premiers of the past two seasons kicking four goals to two in the first quarter and the Thunder were still up by 11 points at the main break.

Peel went on to kick another four goals to three in the third quarter to still be in control with a 16-point advantage.

But the Demons went on to kick the opening four goals of the last quarter to open up a match-winning advantage and to end up winning by eight points to move into fourth position on the ladder.

Perth's dynamic forward duo of Cody Ninyette and Michael Bennell were again impressive, with Ninyette kicking three goals and Bennell two while Brant Colledge kicked two goals also to go with 28 possessions.

Cody Leggett also finished with 32 possessions for the Demons, Clint Jones 29, Corey Yeo 29 and Michael Sinclair 24.

Brady Grey returned from injury for Peel and was their only multiple goalkicker, booting two.

Danyle Pearce might have been told his AFL career will end at the end of 2018 but he remains in outstanding form in the WAFL for Peel and racked up another 34 possessions.

Ben Hancock also finished with 24 disposals for the Thunder, Mitch Crowden 20, Keegan Power 20, Harley Bennell 19, Ben Howlett 18 and Taylin Duman 18.

The last game of the round took place at Steel Blue Oval with Swan Districts hosting East Perth with Swans on a four-game losing run and the Royals having lost six straight.

The finals hopes of the winner would be significantly boosted and that soon became clear it would be the Royals as they piled on seven goals to two in the opening quarter.

East Perth then further rammed home its advantage with six goals to one behind in the third quarter on the way to an emphatic and crucial 61-point victory to move into fifth position on the ladder and send Swans outside of the top five.

Liam Ryan and Jack Petruccelle kicked three goals each for East Perth with Will Maginness, Hamish Brayshaw and Brendon Ah Chee kicking two goals apiece.

Dom Sheed amassed 37 possessions for the Royals, Patrick McGinnity 25, Brayshaw 25, Jackson Nelson 25, Mitch Dobson 23, Shayne Hille 20, Luke Partington 20 and Matthew Allen 20.

Nathan Vardy finished with 16 disposals, 66 hit outs and a goal in the ruck.

Matthew Rogers and Corey Gault kicked two goals each for Swan Districts.

Jesse Turner collected 29 possessions for Swans, Matt Riggio 26, Tobe Watson 24, Freddie Clutterbuck 21 and Rhys Palmer 20.

It also proved to be the 65th and last WAFL appearance for Swan Districts of Todd Banfield who announced his retirement.

ROUND 15 WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
Subiaco 13.10 (88) defeated South Fremantle 3.10 (28)
Perth 10.15 (75) defeated Peel Thunder 10.7 (67)
Swan Districts 8.6 (54) lost to East Perth 18.7 (115)

RESERVES
Subiaco 7.7 (49) defeated South Fremantle 1.5 (11)
Perth 10.13 (73) defeated Peel Thunder 4.15 (39)
Swan Districts 9.8 (62) defeated East Perth 8.13 (61)

COLTS
Subiaco 7.12 (54) defeated South Fremantle 3.9 (27)
Perth 7.8 (50) lost to Peel Thunder 14.11 (95)
Swan Districts 7.6 (48) lost to East Perth 7.11 (53)

Click the graphics below for specific match reports.