THE 2021 WAFL Colts season rolled on into Round 6 on the weekend, with the four fixtures split evenly across Saturday and Sunday. On the latter day at Leederville Oval, both games were decided by less than two goals as Subiaco took out a grand final rematch over Claremont, and East Perth strengthened its position atop the table. We recap all the action and highlight the outstanding players in our weekly wrap.

WEST PERTH 3.0 | 4.3 | 7.4 | 8.5 (53) SWAN DISTRICTS 4.3 | 6.5 | 7.7 | 10.7 (67)

Swan Districts moved up to second on the WAFL Colts table with a 14-point win over West Perth on Saturday, with a pair of midfielders enjoying a day out for either side. Swans running machine Max Chipper racked up 34 disposals and booted three goals in a best afield performance, as Falcons jet Luke Reilly followed closely with 32 touches and two majors. The latter also laid 10 tackles, a feat matched by prolific Swans midfielder Benjamin Hewett. Key defender-turned-forward Rhett Bazzo also made a rare outing for Swan Districts during the PSA season, but was held goalless by Nat Dimanlig. The West Perth utility was forced into an improvised defensive role for this clash, and came up trumps despite his side’s loss. Lochlan Paton proved another to stand up for the Falcons, notching 26 disposals while again finding the goals. Speaking of, Zarne Robis finished as West’s only other multiple goalkicker, as Swans’ Noah Hannan also booted two majors.

GOALS:

West Perth: L. Reilly 2, Z. Robis 2, L. Paton, D. Dixon, I. Demarte, T. Ross Swan Districts: M. Chipper 3, N. Hannan 2, B. Jones, B. Fawcett, L. Taylor, T. Metcalf, D. Jones

PERTH 1.2 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 7.5 (47) PEEL THUNDER 2.1 | 4.3 | 7.4 | 10.6 (66)

Peel Thunder came out on top in the battle of winless sides on Saturday, defeating Perth by 19 points at Mineral Resources Park. Top Peel draft prospect Luke Polson showed his versatility with a massive 28 disposals and six marks, while also booting a goal in the win. Teammate Bodie Kitchingham led all comers alongside Perth rebound machine Jack Avery, as both players notched over 20 kicks each in their 31-disposal performances. Harry Quartermaine (five goals) and Deklyn Grocott (25 disposals, two goals) scrounged all of Perth’s major scores, proving integral as the Demons fought to stay in the contest. Brady Hough was Peel’s lone multiple goalkicker, snaring three from 23 touches as he showcased a high amount of class through midfield. Ethan Donaghy also ticked over 20 disposals and found the big sticks for Peel, as Menno Inverarity (22 disposals) continues to prove prolific for Perth.

GOALS:

Perth: H. Quartermaine 5, D. Grocott 2 Peel: B. Hough 3, K. Levitt, J. Klepzig, E. Donaghy, R. Vidovich, J. Edwards, C. Bourke, L. Polson

SUBIACO 1.3 | 6.4 | 11.5 | 11.7 (73) CLAREMONT 4.2 | 7.3 | 8.5 | 10.7 (67)

Reigning premier Subiaco took out Sunday afternoon’s grand final rematch, holding on to knock off Claremont by six points in a thriller at Leederville Oval. The result sees the teams essentially switch places, with Subiaco sneaking into the top five and the Tigers sliding down to sixth. Jacob Evitt and Jed Kemp highlighted their ball winning strength, leading all comers with 28 disposals apiece as the former also snared two goals. Talon Delacey was Claremont’s prime move, winning 26 touches and booting a major in typically eye-catching fashion. Marking defender Blake Morris showcased his intercept and rebounding qualities with a game-high six marks among his 19 disposals, proving composed across half-back for the victors. Meanwhile, debutant Koltyn Tholstrup thrust his name into the spotlight with three goals, with the 15-year-old a lively forward not eligible to be drafted until 2023. Tyzreise Clark also snared a pair for Subiaco, as two Tigers matched that feat to top the Claremont scoresheet.

GOALS:

Subiaco: K. Tholstrup 3, J. Evitt 2, T. Clark 2, J. Quarrell, C. Dean, E. Bolton, B. Corderoy Claremont: J. Farquharson 2, P. Coles 2, K. Blurton, T. Delacey, B. Ramshaw, D. Mulligan, J. Stretch, L. Tangney

SOUTH FREMANTLE 2.1 | 4.3 | 8.5 | 10.5 (65) EAST PERTH 3.2 | 6.3 | 8.5 | 11.7 (73)

In the round’s final fixture, East Perth moved clear atop the WAFL Colts table with an eight-point win over South Fremantle at Leederville Oval, capping off an enthralling double-header. Jake Littleton (23 disposals) and Jayden Peak (20) joined Bulldogs ball winner Caleb Stephens as the only players to tick over 20 touches, with Peak also registering a major in the win. Teammate Oscar Armstrong (18 disposals, one goal) was in a similar boat, while Ethan Regan impressed with 10 marks. Jye Amiss was typically reliable in front of the big sticks for the Royals, booting a game-high three goals. Meanwhile, Fremantle Next Generation Academy (NGA) small forward Chase Bourne finished among a quartet of Bulldogs to snag two goals, as South fell just short of a fourth victory.

GOALS:

South Fremantle: L. Brandis 2, J. Plunkett 2, H. Elphick 2, C. Bourne 2, A. Fraser, K. Foster East Perth: J. Amiss 3, T. Graham 2, J. Chadwick 2, J. Peak, O. Armstrong, J. Tunstill, S. Soka

Image Credit: Brian Conduit via West Perth Football Club