South West WAFL Watch: Best of the region on full display during opening round

A new year of state footy has begun and the best from the South West was certainly on display in each of the five opening matches. The 2023 WA Football League officially began during the Easter long weekend, with matches taking place on Good Friday and Easter Saturday to ring in the new season. Claremont Tigers were off to a flying start, knocking off reigning premiers West Perth 7.19 (56) to 5.12 (42) at Pentanet Stadium in the season opener on Friday. Bunbury-born Bailey Rogers was one of seven players that booted a goal to help the Tigers on the way to victory, and racked up 19 disposals, a mark, two tackles, two inside 50s and a minor score. Meanwhile at Leederville Oval, Busselton’s Scott Jones dominated in the ruck with a game-high 47 hit-outs to earn him a spot within East Perth’s best in their 12.8 (80) to 11.13 (79) thriller against Swan Districts. Jones also managed 14 disposals, seven marks, two tackles, two inside 50s and a goal during the Royals’ winning effort, alongside the likes of Bridgetown’s Sam Van Diemen, Augusta-Margaret River’s Kade Dittmar, Dunsborough’s Stanley Wright, Boyup Brook’s Taylor North and Busselton’s Jordan Hayden. Former Fremantle Docker Tobe Watson was a stand-out for Swan Districts, managing 25 disposals, 10 marks, two tackles and an inside 50 in his appearance alongside the likes of South Bunbury’s Jehb O’Donohue & Lachlan Riley, and Bunbury’s Nathan Ireland. Former Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Lion Reid Kinninmont made his WAFL debut in the reserves match, where Swan Districts pulled off a convincing 10.13 (73) to 7.7 (49) win. There was another close match at Lane Group Stadium, with Peel Thunder getting one up on East Fremantle 11.13 (79) to 11.9 (75) in an exciting twilight match-up. Peel Thunder vice-captain and former Eaton Boomer Traye Bennell was impressive for the home side, managing 20 disposals, four marks, five tackles and three inside 50s, while former Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Lion Ty Anderson racked up 13 disposals, two marks and a tackle. Ex-Sydney Swan Harrison Marsh put in a solid performance on debut for the Sharks after moving from Subiaco, managing 21 disposals, a mark, four tackles, nine inside 50s and a goal. Carey Park’s Brayden Lawler managed two goals in his appearance while Bunbury’s Michael Tassone racked up 11 disposals and six marks. Former Eaton Boomer Isiah Winder put on a stand-out performance for the West Coast Eagles in their 15.12 (102) to 8.11 (59) losing effort to South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on Saturday, managing a goal, 22 disposals and seven marks, while Harry Creasey managed 16 disposals, five marks and five tackles. Jacob Dragovich put in a solid effort in his WAFL return after a short-lived stint with Eaton, managing 28 disposals, five marks, six tackles and four inside 50s. Former Harvey Bull Kane Johnston put in a modest effort in Perth’s 11.15 (81) to 8.7 (55) losing effort to Subiaco to close out the round, managing 10 disposals, four marks and two tackles.