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WAFL Round 11 Preview - Minnows Match of the Round

PEEL THUNDER v PERTH @ RUSHTON PARK
For the first time ever a clash between these two sides probably earns the rating of ‘Match of the Round’.

Both sides have been big improvers this season, however, there is still a feeling among many WAFL pundits that one or both clubs will fall off the pace in the second half of the season.

Perth currently sits in third place on the ladder and will move to second if they can overcome their relatively poor record at Rushton Park (seven wins/seven losses).

The Thunder have won their last two against the Demons and a third consecutive win this Saturday will bridge the gap between the two teams to just half a game and keep Peel well and truly in the hunt for finals action this season.

The midfield clash will be a highlight with Perth’s Ross Young, Troy Cook, Sam Butler and Jarrod Kayler-Thomson doing battle with the Thunder’s Simon Rosa, Luke Hammond, Daniel Haines and Brock O’Brien.

Prediction: Demons by 13 points.

SOUTH FREMANTLE v EAST FREMANTLE @ FREMANTLE OVAL
The traditional Fremantle Derby on Foundation Day is a highlight of any WAFL season and this one should be no different.

South Fremantle kept pace with league leaders Subiaco for a half last week but was eventually blown away and they will be keen to bounce back against their arch-rivals.

The Sharks appeared to have turned the corner before last round, however, their lacklustre performance against Perth has all but quashed dreams of a mid-season charge towards the finals.

In recent years the Bulldogs have owned Foundation Day, winning the last five Foundation Day battles and with the plenty of experience in their line-up they should be too strong again.

Prediction: Bulldogs by 41 points.

EAST PERTH v WEST PERTH @ MEDIBANK STADIUM
When these two teams first met this year East Perth claimed an impressive victory and looked set to make a bright start to the season. The Falcons were disappointing and many wondered if they would be at the tail end of the ladder in 2008.

How things have changed!

West Perth’s past month has been outstanding with only a draw against the in-from Perth preventing them from claiming a clean sweep of their past four matches.

In contrast, the Royals sit on the bottom of the table and have struggled to find any sort of consistency over the first ten rounds.

With a forward line featuring Mark and Brent LeCras, Adam Campbell and Troy Longmuir, it is difficult to see how East Perth can challenge the visitors this week.

However, there is nothing like a derby to fire up the underdogs.

Prediction: Falcons by 26 points.

CLAREMONT v SUBIACO @ CLAREMONT OVAL
When the fixtures were drawn up at the start of the season this match loomed as one of the must-see clashes of the year.

Ten weeks later it appears the most clear-cut of the four Round 11 games.

Subiaco overcame a determined South Fremantle last week to protect their undefeated record, while Claremont battled hard against West Perth but were blown away in the second half.

The Tiger line-up is only a shadow of its 2007 group, missing Daniel Bandy, Chad Jones, Tom Matson, Aaron Jarvis and Rory Walton while Sandover Medallists Anthony Jones and Jaxon Crabb are well below their best form.

It will take a Herculean effort from last year’s Minor Premiers to match it with the reigning champions this week.

Prediction: Lions by 52 points.