WITH another WAFL weekend in the books, a couple of upsets headlined the Round 4 action as the competition begins to take shape in 2023. All top five clubs currently boast 3-1 records in what shapes as an intriguing finals race.
East Fremantle did enough to hold off a plucky Perth outfit, running out winners by 28 points at the WACA. The Demons took it right up to the Sharks for two and a half quarters before the hosts’ added class and experience saw them pull away in the second half, and record their third consecutive victory.
Peel Thunder returned to the winners list with an impressive 33-point win over the ladder leading East Perth at Leederville Oval. After the Royals booted five goals in the first term, the Thunder remarkably held them to just one goal after quarter time while kicking 10 themselves to run out comprehensive victors.
Subiaco rounded out an exceptional fortnight, backing up its win over Claremont last week by upsetting reigning premier West Perth by 21 points in Joondalup. In a tightly fought encounter, the Lions edged ahead in the second term and defended stoically thereafter, holding the potent Falcons forward line to just 45 points in the win.
Swan Districts recorded its first triumph of the season, beating South Fremantle by 18 points at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. The Swans set up their win with a five-goal to nil first term and were able to hold the Bulldogs at arm’s length for the rest of the contest, notching up a much needed victory after three narrow defeats to start the season.
Claremont took the chance for an early-season percentage booster, belting West Coast to the tune of 111 points. Featuring just five AFL-listed players, the Eagles produced a more competitive display for much of the contest before running out of steam late, as the Tigers piled on eight goals to nil in the final term to resign the Eagles to a third straight triple-figure defeat.
DRAFT PROSPECTS:
After reportedly attracting interest from clubs ahead of the mid-season draft, 19-year-old small forward Robert Hansen Jr produced another exciting performance, registering 11 disposals and six inside 50 entries. While it was not the most prolific display, Hansen Jr showed flashes of quality, with his lightning pace causing the Falcons defence headaches and seeing him named amongst the Lions best players.
In the same game, Koltyn Tholstrup (11 disposals), and Luker Kentfield (seven disposals, one goal) were solid contributors in the Lions’ victory. Elsewhere, Clay Hall featured for Peel in the Thunder’s win over East Perth, and managed 13 disposals in a quieter outing after his 27-disposal game last week. Meanwhile, Roan O’Hehir had 14 disposals for South Fremantle.
MATURE-AGE WATCH – Toby McQuilkin
The South Fremantle defender continued his terrific start to the season, as he registered 29 disposals and four marks against Swan Districts. The 22-year-old accumulated plenty of football across half-back, using his neat foot skills to set up several forward thrusts for the Bulldogs as the team’s main distributor.
McQuilkin first put himself on the radar of AFL clubs after a breakout performance in the 2021 Grand Final, and has continued to attract interest since, earning a state combine invite last season and training with West Coast as an SPP prospect. He has taken his game to a new level in 2023, averaging a career-high 25 disposals and will likely be considered again as a mature-age option.
