The WA Day round of the WAFL season was one of wet weather and contested footy as the conditions wreaked havoc across the weekend.
Statement wins were produced by Subiaco, South Fremantle And East Perth on a weekend that will be talked about for a long while by WA footy fans.
But just who stood up in the tough conditions in Round 8, let's find out here in this week's WAFL wrap.
PERTH VS CLAREMONT (47-131)
Saturday's only game and the only one in sunny conditions was at Mineral Resources Park where Claremont bounced back emphatically with an 84-point demolition of the struggling Perth Football Club.
The Tigers kicked seven goals to two in the opening quarter and were never challenged by Perth, who were still struggling to find a formula of their own from all around the ground.
A welcome return for Claremont was Alexander Manuel, who had a spell in the reserves and his impact inside 50 was immense all day with five goals from 10 disposals, leading the forward line which was slightly dented with the loss of Jack Buller to Sydney through last week's Mid-Season Draft.
The Tigers' forward line was supported by Max Minear (three goals) and Zac Mainwaring (two goals) providing brilliance service Inside 50.
Perth's midfield to their credit played a decent game, led by Jack Avery, who interchanged between midfield and down back and finished with 27 disposals, eight marks & four tackles, but he played virtually a lone hand.
Seeing plenty of the ball was Charlie Thompson, continuing his strong form this season with another 25 disposals from midfield. While Jack Cooley's 25 possessions illustrated his class on the ball.
SWAN DISTRICTS VS WEST COAST EAGLES (114-33)
Swan Districts broke their duck at home for season 2023 by inflicting more misery on the West Coast Eagles by 81 points at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday.
Despite a very good first half by West Coast, who only trailed by a couple of goals at halftime, an 11-goal to-one second half saw the Swans blow the Eagles away.
The potential for Jackson McLachlan to be a future star keeps growing, his performance was brilliant with 32 touches, and his skill as a prime in-and-under midfielder keeps improving week by week, with AFL recruiters sure to be looking at him in the future.
While the forward line was led by the big-body beast Thomas Edwards, who kicked six goals from 22 disposals and nine marks inside 50 in an amazing comeback to true form.
West Coast for the first half had standouts everywhere, with captain Jackson Nelson starting strong but a quiet second half bought his game down. He finished up with 23 touches and seven tackles.
Joshua Browne showed desire and desperation in midfield with 30 touches and his delivery in the first half had plenty of impact.
PEEL THUNDER VS SUBIACO (56-62)
In the closest game of the round, top side Peel Thunder ran out of legs late against an in-form Subiaco, with the Lions taking the win by just six points in Mandurah.
Subiaco led at every change but Peel Thunder persisted and kept with the Lions in the trying conditions.
Former Bomber and Docker Zac Clarke is again proving to be the force in the ruck Subiaco has been looking for this season, he dominated with 35 hitouts to go with his 18 disposals, providing plenty of service for his onballers.
Liam Hickmott as an onballer was rock solid for the Lions with 30 disposals, six tackles and six inside 50s.
For Peel Thunder, their backline was huge in taking the influence of the game out of the Subiaco forwards. Joel Hamling (seven marks, 12 disposals) and Jacob Blight (seven marks, 20 Disposals) were among their best.
Up the ground Will Brodie may have staked his claim for a Fremantle Dockers recall with a great game in the wet, amassing 30 touches, three marks and three tackles in a remarkable performance.
EAST FREMANTLE VS SOUTH FREMANTLE (23-37)
There was thunder and lightning at the WACA on WA Day, but for the 15th time in a row, South Fremantle struck East Fremantle in a hard slog by 14 points.
In what was an extraordinary day of footy, thunder hit the WACA in the third quarter and halted the game for 30 minutes, but it was South Fremantle who settled better after the delay.
For the winners, the biggest pillar for South Fremantle was the big-bodied Zachary Strom, who took eight marks and amassed 14 disposals, but all were at critical times when East Fremantle looked to penetrate their forward 50. Strom had plenty of support from Noah Strom (11 disposals, 4 marks, 8 tackles) on the day.
19-year-old forward Kaden Harbour was the Bulldogs' most valuable option inside 50 with three telling goals that took the game right out of the Sharks. When he got the ball, he made every chance count.
Hugh Dixon undoubtedly played his best game since returning to East Fremantle, playing in the ruck and all around midfield, amassing 28 disposals, eight marks, 35 hitouts. His impact alone kept East Fremantle in the game with several players out of place in the slippery conditions.
Fraser Turner (25 disposals, three marks, three tackles] and Milan Murdock (24 disposals, two marks, 11 tackles] saw plenty of the ball and put in a solid effort in patches, but couldn't get it going when it was crunch time.
EAST PERTH VS WEST PERTH (94-58)
On the subject of statement wins, East Perth dished out a real touch-up to reigning premiers West Perth at Leederville Oval on WA Day.
This game was also stopped due to lightning in the area, and like the Bulldogs, East Perth were able to get back into the groove and play some amazing football. Then again, they did so all day.
East Perth's midfield continued to improve in strides in 2023, with Mitche Crowden (35 disposals, eight marks, five tackles, seven inside 50s), Angus Schumacher (34 disposals, five marks, four Inside 50s) and Angus Scott (28 disposals, six marks, seven tackles) all seeing plenty of the ball and taking West Perth right out of the contest.
The return to form of Shayne Hille was a real welcoming sight for Ross McQueen, as he kicked three goals from 13 disposals and took four solid marks inside 50.
West Perth had Aaron Black in form once again, driving the midfield with 27 disposals, two marks and three tackles, while Luke Meadows showed his versatility from midfield into attack, kicking three goals from 26 tackles and also got involved at the contest with 14 tackles.
Up forward the Falcons struggled for consistent avenues to goal despite Tyler Keitel kicking two goals from eight disposals. The omission of the pocket rocket Keegan Knott haunted the Falcons.
