IT was a thrilling day of WAFL action for International Round with Subiaco, Perth and South Fremantle all pulling off stunning upsets to beat more fancied opponents while Claremont further stretched its lead atop the ladder.There was a massive crowd of over 6000 people at Arena Joondalup to see Subiaco storm home in the second half and beat West Perth 15.10 (100) to 14.14 (98).
Perth came from behind to beat East Perth 19.12 (126) to 17.7 (109) at Leederville's Medibank Stadium with South Fremantle winning a thrilling derby over East Fremantle 16.13 (109) to 15.15 (105) at East Fremantle Oval and Claremont did as expected by beating Peel 20.12 (132) to 7.9 (51) at Claremont Oval.
West Perth kicked six of the first seven goals against Subiaco and led by 31 points late in the first quarter, and still by 28 at half-time but the Lions got going after the long break. That included a run of six goals in nine minutes in the third term, but the game was still up for grabs in the dying stages.
Two goals for West Perth to Darcy Barden and then one to Shane Nelson put West Perth back on top with time running out, but two long bombs on goal for Subiaco eventually saw 17-year-old Chris Deluca crumb the ball at the foot of the pack, and snap through the winning goal for the Lions.
Blake Broadhurst kicked five goals for Subiaco and Jack Anthony four with Callum Sinclair outstanding with 28 possessions and 37 hit outs. Barden kicked three goals for West Perth with Brent LeCras picking up 28 possessions and Mark Hutchings 26.
East Perth kicked seven goals to Perth's three in the second quarter to appear to set up a crucial win at Medibank Stadium. The Royals still led by 20 points at three quarter-time, but the Demons stormed home with nine goals to three in the last term for the 17-point victory.
Simon Donovan and Leon Davis both kicked four goals for Perth with Nick Lower outstanding with 34 possessions. Adam Prior kicked four for East Perth in the absence of Josh Smith with Craig Wulff gathering 26 disposals.
East Fremantle looked comfortably in control against South Fremantle leading by 15 points at quarter-time, 11 at half-time and 13 at three quarter-time, but the Bulldogs roared home with six goals to three in the final term to win by four points.
Jarrad Winter starred with a career-best five goals for South Fremantle with Ben Saunders adding four and Jayden Woods gathering a career-high 27 possessions.
Jack Perham, Brock O'Brien and Callum Leslie all kicked three goals for East Fremantle with Rory O'Brien picking up 29 possessions and Mark McGough 28.
Claremont set up its win over Peel with 17 goals to just five after quarter-time to run away 81-point winners to further cement its spot atop the ladder to now appear certain of a third straight minor premiership.
Tom Lee continued his outstanding form for the Tigers kicking four goals with Alroy Gilligan and Jack Bradshaw adding three, and Kane Mitchell racking up a team-high 25 possessions. Kristin Thornton, Brad Holmes and Matt Orzel all kicked two goals each for Peel.
Click here for the full summary of the Round 21 results across all grades this weekend
