After 4 rounds of the 2023 WAFL Season, five teams sit on 12 points with Claremont topping the ladder after another dominant victory, while reigning premiers West Perth fall outside the five.

Swan Districts broke a nine-year hoodoo at Fremantle Oval in a tense encounter with the Bulldogs, and East Perth suffered their first loss of the season to a disciplined Peel Thunder outfit.

Here is a short look on this past weekend of WAFL action.

EAST FREMANTLE VS PERTH (105-77)

East Fremantle greeted their home away from home with a hard-fought win over Perth by 28 points at the WACA, and it was a day for the forwards with Jonathon Marsh back to his best form with three goals and former Peel Thunder star Brayden Lawler also kicking three majors.

Corey Byrne (30 touches, 5 marks) and Jack Avery (33 disposals, 12 marks) both continued their strong starts to the season and kept the Demons in the contest for three quarters.

The Demons' forward presence can't be denied with Sam Stubbs and Austin Davis back in form with three goals apiece, but were playing catchup football having been four goals down at quarter time.

Milan Murdock also provided strong run through midfield with 32 disposals, his name on the Sandover Medal radar with his season average of 30 touches per game in tact following another consistent performance.

EAST PERTH VS PEEL THUNDER (53-86)

Peel Thunder came to Leederville Oval and handed the Royals their first loss of 2023 with a strong display for four quarters as East Perth were left to rue wayward kicking in front of goal, scoring only six goals from 23 scoring shots.

Karl Worner was huge for the Thunder as he maintained his consistent start to the season, amassing 33 possessions and taking 11 marks in midfield, supported brilliantly by Nathan Wilson who scored 26 touches and seven marks while playing in midfield and in defence.

East Perth, while they struggled in front of goal, also had plenty of major ball winners down on form, with Tom North having 24 touches - well below his season average after four rounds, so to Angus Schumacher who only had 23 disposals.

After three up and down games, Tom Emmett fired up forward with three goals from 17 kicks and did more around the ball with four tackles and three marks in a stunning reversal of form.

WEST PERTH VS SUBIACO (45-66)

The reigning premiers suffered a second stumble in a month at home, going down to a revitalised Subiaco by 21 points at Pentanet Stadium in Joondalup.

In his return to the WAFL scene, veteran ruckman Zac Clarke dominated all day with 41 hit-outs and influenced the contest around the ball with 23 touches and six marks in an outstanding performance.

Ben Johnson stood up to the challenge with 23 touches and four marks through the midfield rotation, while Luke Meadows provided the backup for Johnson with 22 touches and seven tackles when at least 3-4 keys for the West Perth side were down on the previous week.

While goals may have been a premium, Ben Sokol continued his solid 2023 season with two goals off the chain inside 50 to go with his eight marks, his tally for the season now stands at 14, three behind his West Perth counterpart Tyler Keitel, who was held to one goal.

SOUTH FREMANTLE VS SWAN DISTRICTS (70-88)

Swan Districts overcame three close losses to score their first win of the season against South Fremantle, their first win at Fremantle Oval since 2014 and it was all setup by a strong five goals-to-nil start.

For the Bulldogs, their defensive midfielder stood up when it counted, with Toby McQuilkin (29 disposals, 4 marks) and Tom Blechynden (27 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal) playing their roles while getting back into the game.

The Swans victory was in no small part due to the dynamic Jesse Palmer, who kicked four goals inside forward 50 and the tall timber of Christopher Jones adding extra height to a strong forward line, whi kicked three goals from five marks all inside 50 as well.

It was the day for celebrations as Brayden Noble played his 100th game for the Swans and while he had a quiet day, with only 13 disposals and five marks, he kicked an early goal in the first quarter with his teamates all around him.

CLAREMONT VS WEST COAST (154-43)

Claremont bounced back from a sub-par loss last week to inflict more misery on the West Coast Eagles, this time to the tune of 111 points at Revo Fitness Stadium on Sunday Afternoon.

The Tigers kept the foot on the gas with Jye Bolton back in form with 40 touches as well as eight marks. He was well supported in midfield by Lachlan Martinis (35 disposals, 6 marks) and Bailey Rogers shifted up forward and was electric with 4 goals from 33 touches.

Kane Mitchell, a former Tiger who was selected to compensate for the Eagles' injury hell, lost none of his magic that saw him win the Sandover Medal 11 years ago, amassing 28 disposals and four tackles in the midfield. Josh Browne continued his solid start to the season with another 30-possession game.

The Tigers' scoreboard pressure ran rampant all day with Max Minear's three goals proving crucial, while Zac Mainwaring (son of the late Chris Mainwaring) also booted three majors in another brilliant performance.