PEEL Thunder has kept pace with top-of-the-table Swan Districts after a solid victory on the weekend, while Subiaco is not going away either following a 40-point win over East Perth.

Claremont 7.9 (51) defeated West Perth 7.7 (49)

Claremont has survived a close encounter to knock off West Perth by two points on the weekend. Trailing by 11 points at quarter time, the Tigers booted the only three goals of the second term to regain the lead by the main break and take a seven-point advantage into half-time. Both sides managed a goal in the third term and then the Falcons pushed hard in the final quarter, booting three goals to two, falling just short of the Tigers in the end.

Returning from West Australian duty during the National Under 18 Championships bye for the state, Tigers’ Rylie Morgannotched up 26 disposals, three marks, six inside 50s and laid seven tackles. Max Grant also had 26 disposals, while laying four tackles, and Thomas Baldwin had 22 and seven. Nathan Pearce took seven marks to go with his 21 disposals, while Isaac Barton booted two goals from 16 disposals. Angus Longmire and Jordon Reid were influential in the ruck with a combined 47 hitouts.

Nathan Murray racked up 34 disposals, five marks, four tackles, five inside 50s and a goal for the Falcons, while Jaxon Prior also found a heap of the ball with 32 disposals, seven marks, five inside 50s and three tackles. Eamon Gilbert was a standout in the ruck and across the ground, having 26 hitouts to go with 17 disposals, four marks, four tackles, three inside 50s and a goal. Henry Ryan laid a game-high 10 tackles, while Tom Medhat was solid with 23 disposals, four marks and five tackles.

Perth 10.5 (65) defeated by East Fremantle 14.9 (93)

A five goals to three final quarter has resulted in East Fremantle racing away from Perth to record a 28-point away win. The Sharks raced out of the blocks to boot five first quarter goals and lead by 20 points at the first change. By half-time they held a 15-point advantage, then put the foot down in the second half to run away with the game. Perth had more disposals than their opponents, but East Fremantle was dominant in the ruck, amassing 63 hitouts to their opposition’s 14.

Corey Robinson and Trent Rivers both had 18 disposals for the winners, while Edward Curley booted three goals up forward from 14 disposals and five marks. Max Murphy took six marks to go with his 17 disposals and two inside 50s, while Cody Smith booted a goal to go with his 16 disposals and six marks. The dominant ruckman on the ground by far was Nicholas Watson, who finished with a whopping 48 hitouts for the game.

Perth had its top-end talent return to the side after West Australian duties but could not get over the line despite some impressive individual performances. Luke English had his best game of the year with 40 disposals, 10 marks, four tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal, while Sydney Stack racked up 33 disposals, five tackles and five inside 50s. Ian Hillbooted three goals from 14 disposals, while Maverick Hamilton had 27 disposals, six marks, six inside 50s, three tackles and a goal. Ethan Hansen was the other major ball winner with 22 disposals, four marks, three inside 50s and a goal.

East Perth 6.4 (40) defeated by Subiaco 11.21 (87)

Subiaco has heaped more pressure on cellar dwellers East Perth with a commanding 47-point victory away from home. The Lions restricted their opponents to just four behinds in the first half, before the Royals came out firing to boot five goals in the third term. It was a case of too little, too late, but there was some consolation for East Perth, forcing the Lions to boot 2.12 in the final term and restrict the final margin getting out any more.

In returning from West Australian duties, Luke Foley had 27 touches, three marks, 10 inside 50s and laid nine tackles, while Will Hickmott was also important with 24 disposals, two marks and five tackles. Tristan Hobley was the most prominent ball winner, racking up 32 disposals, five marks, five tackles and four inside 50s, while Zane Shellabear Healey and Jacob Peletier both had 23 disposals. Prominent goal kicker Jack Mayo was limited to 1.3, but instead Nicholas Martin stepped up, booting 3.2 from 16 disposals and four marks.

For the Royals, Louis Miller had 28 disposals, four marks, four inside 50s and three tackles, while Damon Greaves was the other big ball winner with 27 disposals, six marks and five tackles. Rhai-Arn Cox was the only multiple goal kicker with two majors from nine disposals and four marks, while Eric Bashemule and Rory Sparks both recorded 18 disposals and six marks each.

South Fremantle 6.6 (42) defeated by Peel Thunder 11.10 (76)

Peel Thunder has moved to within percentage of ladder leaders Swan Districts, albeit with the Black Swans having a game in hand. The Thunder came from behind to power home in the last quarter against South Fremantle, booting six goals to zero and record a comfortable 34-point win. The Bulldogs looked good in the first three quarters, holding a two-point lead at the final break, but a 6.1 to 0.1 final quarter in favour of the visitors put to bed any chance of an upset.

Jackson Perry was the top disposal winner for the Thunder, notching up 23 disposals, four marks, three tackles and five inside 50s. Brad Oldfield was also prolific with 21 disposals, nine tackles and five inside 50s, while Michael Randallbooted a goal from 19 touches and six tackles. James Sturrock also managed 19 disposals and three marks, while Jarrod Fazioli kicked a goal from 15 disposals. Ben Middleton and Lachlan Cullen were the major goal kickers with three majors each. Billy Chambers had a day out in the ruck with 43 hitouts.

For the Bulldogs, Tom Blechynden had 23 touches, nine marks, four tackles and two inside 50s, while Matthew Wardlaid a game-high 10 tackles to go with 20 disposals and four marks. Toby McQuilkin, Enrique Aiken-Featherstone and Neil Irani all had 16 touches, while Thomas Weston booted two goals to be the only multiple goal kicker for the home side. Regan Spooner laid six tackles to go with his 13 touches.