South Fremantle earned its upset win over West Perth in round five, playing like it had something to prove.
The Dogs were relentless against the Falcons, laying 10 more tackles than the reigning premier in their 23-point victory.
It wasn't pretty at times, but it was effective. While the Dogs had almost 60 more touches, they did overuse it at times and got themselves in trouble.
But this time they got the chocolates.
It was the class of Haiden Schloithe, Aston Hams and Ben Saunders (seven goals) that got them over the line for their first win of the season.
The Falcons had pretty much the same side on the paddock as the one that beat East Perth by 100 points a week earlier.
In fact, the one change was James Batterham making way for Sandover medallist Andrew Krakouer.
Go figure.
For the second time this season West Perth has lost a game after having more inside 50 entries than its opponent.
***
Swan Districts came from 18 points behind early in the final term to beat Perth by one point at Lathlain Park.
The Demons led by only one point at the last break, but kicked away early in the term - and looked set for a win.
For a team that was supposed to finish bottom, the Swans are doing OK, with consecutive wins over Peel, South Fremantle and Perth.
Adam Faulkner continues to impress at Bassendean and his 30 touches, 10 marks, six tackles and four inside 50 entries went a long way to seeing Swan Districts win.
So did three goals each from Tim Geappen and Ricky Cary.
***
Subiaco showed it is the real deal on the weekend, beating East Perth by 23 points.
The AFL count showed the Royals with 13 West Coast-listed players, including experience from Sam Butler and Pat McGinnity.
If the Eagles three-ruckman tactic isn't being used in the AFL, then it's likely to be in effect with East Perth.
Callum Sinclair, Scott Lycett and Paul Johnson were all very good for the Royals.
But despite East Perth getting first hand on the ball, it was the carry of George Hampson (five goals), Frank Stockley, and Shaun Hildebrandt that saw the Lions win the game.
***
Talking of ball carriers, East Fremantle had plenty of them in its 16-point win over Peel Thunder.
Rory and Brock O'Brien, Brett Peake and Bradd Dalziell each had their fair share of possessions in their win.
Peel had a few handy performances by Fremantle-listed players.
Anthony Morabito has become the WAFL's answer to Nic Naitanui insofar that everyone wants to know how he is going - and his rehab from a third knee reconstruction appears to be well on track.
His 19 touches was his fourth solid game this season (he's averaging 21 possessions per game). Big Jon Griffin is also coming back from a knee and had 30 hit-outs, while Garrick Ibbotson who looked down at out with a shoulder injury during the Dockers 58-point loss to Hawthorn in round three, was also very good.
Ladder:
20: Subiaco (162%); 12: East Frem (112%), Swan Dist (108%), East Perth (97%); 8: West Perth (121%), Perth (113%); 4: South Frem (79%), Clarmeont (53%); 0: Peel (77%).
This week (Round 6):
Friday, April 25
Swan Dist v West Perth, Steel Blue Oval
East Frem v South Frem, East Frem Oval
Saturday, April 26
East Perth v Perth, Medibank Stadium
Claremont v Peel Thunder, Show Grounds
Round 5 results
SOUTH FREMANTLE 4.2 8.3 11.7 15.8 (98)
WEST PERTH 2.2 3.6 7.9 10.15 (75)
GOALS – SOUTH FREMANTLE: Saunders 7; White 4; Bewick, Kelly, B Verrier, Cook. WEST PERTH: Tsalikis 2; Strijk, Jones, Crisp, Browne, Krakouer, Fowler, van Berlo, Adams.
BEST – SOUTH FREMANTLE: Schloithe, Saunders, Hams, White, Higgins, Kelly. WEST PERTH: Kerr, Hunt, Black, van Berlo, Strijk.
At Arena Joondalup.
SWAN DISTRICTS 5.1 8.3 11.4 14.8 (92)
PERTH 3.6 4.9 10.11 13.13 (91)
GOALS – SWAN DISTRICTS: Davis, Geappen, Cary 3; Rogers, Jukes 2; Notte. PERTH: Moody 3; Bevan 2; O'Sullivan, Ugle, Stack, Florio, C Morton, Power, Lynch, Collard.
BEST - SWANS: Faulkner, Boekhorst, N Blakely, Casserly, Cary, Davis. PERTH: Power, M Morton, Florio, Bevan.
At Lathlain Park.
SUBIACO 6.3 8.5 10.6 16.10 (106)
EAST PERTH 0.2 6.6 12.9 12.10 (82)
GOALS – SUBIACO: Hampson 5; Boland 4; DeLuca 2; Phelan, Stockley, Kayler-Thomson, Joyce, Mahoney. EAST PERTH: Lycett 5; Wulff 2; McGinnity, Clutterbuck, McInnes, Oakley-Nicholls, Dobson.
BEST – SUBIACO: Hampson, Bristow, Stockley, Delahunty, Joyce, Latham. EAST PERTH: Lycett, Wulff, McGovern, Colledge, Butler.
At Medibank Stadium.
EAST FREMANTLE 4.5 6.7 10.12 12.14 86
PEEL 2.3 6.3 7.7 10.8 68
GOALS – EAST FREMANTLE: Dalziell, Perham 2; R O’Brien, Boyle, Eardley, Peake, Dorotich, O’Brien, Henson, A Tropiano. PEEL: Moller 3; M Brown 2, Apeness, Sheridan, Hannath, Jones, Dann.
BEST - EAST FREMANTLE: B O’Brien, R O’Brien, Dalziell, Stephen, Eardley. PEEL: Sheridan, B Jones, Hannath, Silvagni, M Brown, Moller.
UMPIRES: S Parry, J Orr, T McPhee
CROWD: 2000 (approx) at Bendigo Bank Stadium
