Bulldog Edwards finds form at pointy end

Sturdy defender and former Royals junior Steven Edwards has continued his strong form for South Fremantle in the WAFL as the Bulldogs booked a place in the second semifinal after thumping West Perth on Saturday.

Edwards, who has thrived at senior level since switching from Claremont, gathered more than 20 possessions for the third consecutive week as the Bulldogs ran out 98-point winners in the qualifying final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Playing his 13th league game this season and 57th in total, Edwards collected 22 disposals, six marks and laid three tackles to be a strong contributor in the back half.

The 23-year-old has more than 20 touches five times this season and looms as a key part of the Bulldogs’ bid to upset the red-hot Subiaco in next Sunday’s second semifinal.

In the WAFL elimination final, Claremont kept their season alive after prevailing against East Perth with a trio of Great Southern representatives in their team.

Draft hopeful and former Albany and Royals player Tyron Smallwood kept his spot in the Tigers league side following an impressive debut last week, kicking a long dribble goal to go with eight possessions and two inside 50s in their 28-point win on Sunday.

Albany product Dylan Smallwood finished with 12 disposals while fellow draft prospect and ex-Railways colt Jordan Clark had another solid senior outing with a game-high 10 marks, 15 disposals and four tackles.

In four league games since making his debut in round 19, Clark has averaged more than 15 disposals and six marks a game and is being touted as a possible top 30 draft pick.

Ex-Royals midfielder Morgan Davies was the best of the Great Southern players for the Tigers in the reserves, who went down to East Perth by 16 points in the qualifying final. Davies collected 27 possessions, five inside 50s and kicked a goal while Borden’s Lewis Davis was also lively taking seven marks and finishing with 15 touches.

Meanwhile in the VFL, Gnowangerup’s Timm House was named among the best players for Geelong’s reserves side in their heavy defeat at the hands of the Casey Demons on Saturday.

House has been ultra-consistent in defence for the Cats and was again solid but his team were thumped by 91 points and now face the Box Hill Hawks in a semifinal clash this Sunday.