Swan Districts are still a game clear on top of the ladder after Round 9 of the West Australian Football League (WAFL) Colts season in a round where two local derbies took place.

The Black and Whites were too strong for fellow top four contender Perth, as they registered a comfortable 13.6 (84) to 6.4 (40) win at Bassendean Oval. The Swans led at every break and were never challenged, led by Denver Grainger-Barrass who claimed best afield honours in his team. Ruckman Blake Rowlinson was also among the best with a solid 26 hit outs, while Riley Garcia was prolific with 28 disposals. For the Demons, livewire Blake Little toiled all day and was named as best, while Sydney Stack (19 disposals) and Zac Casey (23 disposals, seven tackles) worked all day in the midfield, collecting impressive numbers.

Claremont have continued their underwhelming start to the season after falling away against Peel Thunder at Claremont Oval, losing 7.8 (50) to 12.14 (86). The Tigers, who have made the past four straight WAFL Colts grand finals are languishing in second last on the ladder at the halfway mark of the season. For the Thunder though, impressive performances from Jye Kimptom, Bailey Taylor and Lachlan Riley (20 disposals) helped give them the late ascendency. Oliver Henderson was named the Tigers’ best, while Lachlan Southern and Max Grant (20 disposals) were strong contributors, as the Tigers face a tough ask ahead against the Swan Districts in Round 10.

In the Perth Derby, an inaccurate West Perth cost themselves a chance to leap into the top five, after losing to East Perth 3.15 (33) to 6.10 (46) at Arena Joondalup. The Royals, who are still at the foot of the ladder, nabbed their second win of the season, led by Yugusuk Soka, who was named best with 16 disposals and three marks, while defender Jordan Hayden and midfielder Jarrod Hamer-Mathew (22 disposals and two goals) also put in impressive performances. For the Falcons, Jamie Dowen (12 disposals, four tackles) was named as the best player, while Alec Johnson (23 disposals) and Jaxon Prior (21 disposals) were consistent all day.

While in the Fremantle Derby, East Fremantle nabbed a victory over cross town rivals South Fremantle, wining 10.8 (68) to 8.6 (54) at Fremantle Oval. Down by two goals at the main break, the Sharks rallied to kick seven goals to three in the second half to storm home with a win. Led by Jake Diggle and Tom Wright (11 disposals, 10 tackles), the South’s could not find an answer to the second half onslaught. Impressing for the Bulldogs was Manfred Kelly with a 17 disposals, four tackle game, while ruckman Benjamin Pears (27 hitouts) and Toby McQuilkan (18 disposals) toiled hard all day.