5 BULLDOGS IN ROUND 17 TEAM OF THE WEEK

WE had several five-goal hauls, some brilliant defensive showings and some huge ball-winning performances during Round 17 of the 2021 Optus WAFL Premiership Season across the weekend.

The round got underway on Saturday afternoon and it included a massive win for South Fremantle over the undermanned Peel Thunder at Mandurah’s David Grays Arena, 22.9 (141) to 3.7 (25).

Mason Shaw and Blake Schlensog kicked five goals each for South Fremantle, Jimmy Miller four and Cody Ninyette three while Haiden Schloithe dominated with 42 possessions and two goals. Tyrone Thorne had 25 disposals and a goal for the Thunder.

BACK POCKET – CHAD PEARSON (South Fremantle)
The premiership defender has spent a bit of time this season further up the field, but he has settled back into defence now and that’s where he thrives as one of the best intercept marking and set up players in the competition. Did that tremendously in the hammering of Peel on Saturday finishing with 25 touches, four marks and three inside-50 entries.
Times named in 2021: 2

CENTRE HALF-FORWARD – BLAKE SCHLENSOG (South Fremantle)
When he was playing at centre half-back and dominating to start the season, there was nothing to suggest just how impressive he could be in attack at the same time. He went there out of necessity with Mason Shaw missing the game against Claremont but has stayed there with his vice-captain back and they are forming quite the threatening combination. He kicked a career-best five goals against Peel from 16 possessions and 10 marks.
Times named in 2021: 6

FULL-FORWARD – MASON SHAW (South Fremantle)
The reigning Bernie Naylor Medallist was part of quite the impressive offensive onslaught from South Fremantle on Saturday in the 116-point win over Peel. He ended up a big part of that by kicking five goals from 14 disposals, seven marks and four tackles.
Times named in 2021: 4

ROVER – HAIDEN SCHLOITHE (South Fremantle)
Certainly enjoyed a day out in Mandurah against an undermanned Peel Thunder outfit on Saturday. Was able to show his full array of abilities and that is vast, finishing the 116-point win by producing 42 disposals, seven marks, seven inside-50 entries, three tackles and two goals.
Times named in 2021: 7

INTERCHANGE – JIMMY MILLER (South Fremantle)
Split his time between enjoying life in a dominant South Fremantle forward-line and the ruck during the 116-point win in Mandurah over the Thunder. Ended up with quite an impact on the game overall too finishing with 20 possessions, eight marks, 15 hit outs, five inside-50 entries and four goals.
Times named in 2021: 2

UNLUCKY BUNCH
There were plenty of players who delivered tremendous performances across Round 17 but couldn’t quite fit into the Team of the Week, including:

Perth’s Sam Stubbs, Jack Avery, Corey Byrne, Matthew Taylor, Andrew Fisher, Austin Davis and Kasey Nicholas.

West Coast Eagles’ Jarrod Garlett, Jarrod Brander, Hamish Brayshaw, Lennon Marlin, Jackson Nelson and Luke Foley.

Peel Thunder’s Tyrone Thorne, Ben Hancock, Bodie Kitchingman, Michael Randall, James Sturrock and Brayden Lawler.

South Fremantle’s Cody Ninyette, Jacob Dragovich, Tom Blechynden and Nick Suban.

Subiaco’s Greg Clark, Max Walters, Wil Hickmott and Jordan Lockyer.

West Perth’s Aaron Black, Zac Guadagnin, Conal Lynch and Tristan Hobley.

East Fremantle’s Cam Eardley, Kyle Baskerville and Michael Tassone.

Swan Districts’ Sam Fisher, Jesse Turner, Josh Cipro, Jak Watson and Aidan Clarke.

East Perth’s Nick Merritt, Angus Schumacher, Nathan Blee, Rohan Kerr, Angus Scott and Scott Jones.

Claremont’s Jake Patmore, Ben Edwards, Ryan Lim, Ben Elliott and Tom Baldwin.

Players of the Round
Round 1 – Josh Schoenfeld (East Fremantle)
Round 2 – Sam Fisher (Swan Districts)
Round 3 – Greg Clark (Subiaco)
Round 5 – Haiden Schloithe (South Fremantle)
Round 6 – Tyrone Thorne (Peel Thunder)
Round 7 – Keegan Knott (West Perth)
Round 8 – Jye Bolton (Claremont)
Round 9 – Tyler Keitel (West Perth)
Round 10/11 – Jonathon Marsh (East Fremantle)
Round 12 – Jackson Ramsay (East Perth)
Round 14 – Warrick Wilson (Swan Districts)
Round 15 – Angus Schumacher (East Perth)
Round 16 – Oliver Eastland (Claremont)
Round 17 – Brandon Matera (Subiaco)

CREDIT Wednesday, August 4, 2021 – 12:07 PM – by Chris Pike WAFL website