WAFL Round 9 Wrap

WEST Perth returned to top spot in the WAFL on Saturday by bouncing back with a hard earned win while Claremont and South Fremantle are hot on their heels with Subiaco putting themselves back in the finals mix and Peel Thunder returning to the top five.

Never has the evenness of the WAFL competition being better emphasised than following the Saturday's results which saw West Perth back to top spot, East Fremantle fall from first to fourth, Peel replace Swan Districts in fifth spot and Subiaco to now be just one game from the top five.

All five Round 9 WAFL matches took place on Saturday starting at Optus Stadium with Subiaco making it consecutive wins beating the West Coast Eagles 14.6 (90) to 8.14 (62).

Ryan Borchet continued his terrific form with another five goals for Subiaco while Liam Hickmott racked up 30 possessions and Lachlan Delahunty 27 to go with 14 hit outs. Alex Witherden had 32 touches for West Coast and Josh Browne 26.

Then later on Saturday afternoon, Claremont improved to second spot on the ladder to be just percentage off top spot by beating East Fremantle 14.11 (95) to 11.13 (79) at the WACA Ground.

Tyron Smallwood kicked four goals for Claremont with Jye Bolton amassing 31 possessions. Jonathon Marsh kicked three goals for East Fremantle and Cam Eardley had another 29 touches.

Peel Thunder returned to fifth position as a result of an 18.9 (117) to 7.10 (52) win against East Perth at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah to celebrate the 100th appearance of dual premiership player Blair Bell.

Guy Barnes and Joel Western kicked four goals apiece for Peel with Matt Taberner adding three while Neil Erasmus had 26 touches as did Ethan Hughes and Lloyd Meek dominated the ruck. Tom Medhat kicked another three goals for East Perth and Hamish Brayshaw collected 35 disposals.

West Perth rebounded from losing to East Fremantle last week to reclaim top position by beating Swan Districts 10.8 (68) to 7.8 (50) at Joondalup's Pentanet Stadium.

Mitch Antonio came into the West Perth team and kicked three goals with Aaron Black amassing 34 possessions as did Luke Meadows. Jesse Palmer kicked two goals for Swans with Jesse Turner gathering another 32 touches.

South Fremantle then made it three consecutive wins to move up to third position on the WAFL ladder by beating Perth 12.12 (84) to 6.10 (46) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in the 100th game for the Bulldogs of premiership captain Dylan Main.

Jimmy Miller kicked three goals for South Fremantle with Toby McQuilkin compiling another 31 touches off half-back. Kristian Cary kicked three goals for Perth with Matt Taylor finishing with 25 possessions.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 9

WEST COAST EAGLES 8.14 (62) lost to SUBIACO 14.6 (90)

EAST FREMANTLE 11.13 (79) lost to CLAREMONT 14.11 (95)

PEEL THUNDER 18.9 (117) defeated EAST PERTH 7.10 (52)

WEST PERTH 10.8 (68) defeated SWAN DISTRICTS 7.8 (50)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 12.12 (84) defeated PERTH (6.9 (45)
 

Read the full Round 9 WAFL Summary here.