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WAFL Preview - Round 16
Posted Jul 10, 2008 - 20:28 PM
SOUTH FREMANTLE v PERTH @ FREMANTLE OVAL
Two sides coming off disappointing losses meet in a crucial ‘eight-point game’ at Fremantle Oval on Friday night in a match that could have a huge bearing on the final make-up of the final four in season 2008.
South Fremantle appeared to have Claremont’s measure last weekend before a second half fightback from the bottom-placed Tigers left the Bulldogs wondering what had happened.
Injury continues to haunt the Red and Whites with the likes of Andrew Siegert, Heath Black, Tim Malseed, Paul Mugambwa and Shane Tipuamantamerri all ruled out this week although their loss has been offset somewhat by the return of experienced quartet Jaimie Graham, Paul Duffield, Rob Haddrill and Kyle Hams.
It has been a similar story at EfTel Oval this week as Perth tries to put the pieces together following their meek surrender against Swan Districts last Saturday.
The Demons are also licking their wounds with recruit Ross Young, certain to be leading the club Best & Fairest voting at this stage, nursing a broken collar bone and likely to be missing for up to six weeks.
South Fremantle has enjoyed total dominance over Perth at Fremantle Oval in recent seasons having won 14 of their past 15 clashes at the port but few battles over that time would have held as much significance as this one will.
PREDICTION: Bulldogs by 25 points
PEEL THUNDER v SUBIACO @ RUSHTON PARK
Peel will be hoping that history repeats itself this weekend when they host ladder leaders Subiaco at Rushton Park on Saturday.
It was just over a season ago (Round 15, 2007) when the Thunder produced arguably their greatest-ever victory when they snuck past the Lions by eight points at the same venue.
The task appears almost as difficult this time around for the home team as they look to avenge a 117-point drubbing from the last time these two teams met.
Subiaco amassed a remarkable 62 scoring shots on that occasion and, despite appearing to be below their best in recent weeks, they are likely to be too strong for a Thunder team that could break into the top four if results go their way this weekend.
PREDICTION: Lions by 38 points
EAST FREMANTLE v WEST PERTH @ EAST FREMANTLE OVAL
This match has ‘danger game’ written all over it for West Perth as they travel to East Fremantle Oval to take on the improving Sharks.
The Falcons had the measure of Subiaco for three quarters last week before being overrun but they will need to be on their game against an East Fremantle side that has won its past two games.
The Sharks lose key forward Josh Kennedy and possiblY Jamie McNamara to West Coast this week but will regain utility Brent Staker who has been a solid contributor for East Fremantle in the few WAFL games he has played.
Surprisingly West Perth has won its last three matches at East Fremantle Oval, a venue that historically has not been a happy hunting ground for the Falcons, and if they play near their best they should claim the four points and possibly a place in the top four by the end of the round.
PREDICTION: Falcons by 16 points
SWAN DISTRICTS v EAST PERTH @ STEEL BLUE OVAL
It has been a roller coaster ride for Swan Districts fans over the past month and they will be hoping that the trend is broken this week when they host East Perth at Steel Blue Oval.
Swans have won matches they weren’t expected to win, lost matches they should have won and snatched victory when all hope had nearly disappeared, all in the space of three rounds of football.
This week appears to be fairly straight-forward for the home team but the struggling Royals caused more than a few headaches when these two teams last met.
In fact, it took another Black and White fightback to snatch the points on that occasion and East Perth will be keen to produce a four quarter effort this time around after a very disappointing loss to East Fremantle last week.
Despite the unpredictable form of Swan Districts they should have little trouble disposing of the Royals.
PREDICTION: Swans by 46 points
DAVID LINDSAY
