WAFL Finals Week 1 Wrap

EAST Fremantle has moved to within one win of a first Grand Final appearance in 10 years by opening the WAFL finals with an impressive win over Claremont while Peel Thunder stayed alive and ended the season of South Fremantle.

Following the closest home and away season in recent memory with all top four spots still to be determined coming into the final round and then the last finals position decided with the very last game, positions in the finals for 2022 were well and truly earned.

That set up a tantalising finals series that got underway this weekend and while the other four teams did battle, minor premiers West Perth sat back with the break having finished in top spot for the first time since 1993.

The finals series got underway on Saturday afternoon at East Fremantle's New Choice Homes Park. East Fremantle produced a tremendous performance too in its first final since the 2014 preliminary final. 

The Sharks were on top most of the way and survived a brief Tigers surge late in the third quarter to come away with the 16.10 (106) to 8.10 (58) win to advance to a second semi-final with West Perth.

Jonathon Marsh and Alex Montauban kicked three goals apiece for East Fremantle while Cam Eardley racked up 31 possessions and Kyle Baskerville 27.

Declan Mountford kicked two miraculous long-range goals for Claremont with Lachlan Martinis amassing another 34 touches off half-back.

The other action this weekend took place on Sunday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in an elimination final and it saw Peel Thunder come from behind to finish the better and beat South Fremantle 10.10 (70) to 8.13 (61).

It brings to an end a run for the Bulldogs of at least reaching a preliminary final in each of the last six seasons while the Thunder stay alive and into a first semi-final against Claremont.

Sam Sturt kicked three goals for Peel and Nathan Wilson racked up 26 possessions while Lloyd Meek had 19 touches and 34 hit outs in the ruck. South Fremantle captain Dylan Main kicked four goals while Haiden Schloithe had 27 possessions in his 200th and final game.

The second week of the finals will now see West Perth host East Fremantle in the second semi-final on Saturday at Joondalup's Pentanet Stadium with a spot in the Grand Final up for grabs.

The first semi-final will see Claremont host Peel Thunder at Revo Fitness Stadium with the winner to advance to the preliminary final and the season is over for the loser.

Meanwhile, the reserves finals got underway on Saturday at Revo Fitness Stadium with Claremont winning the qualifying final 10.7 (67) to 8.6 (54).

Then on Sunday, Subiaco proved too strong for Swan Districts winning the elimination final 16.10 (106) to 5.3 (33).

That means that this weekend, South Fremantle will play Subiaco in the first semi-final on Saturday at Revo Fitness Stadium while West Perth hosts Claremont in the second semi-final at Pentanet Stadium.

And in the colts, Peel Thunder won a thriller in the qualifying final on Saturday to beat Subiaco 9.12 (66) to 9.8 (62) while South Fremantle finished strongly in the elimination final on Sunday to defeat East Perth 14.10 (94) to 9.12 (66).

Now this coming weekend, Subiaco will play South Fremantle in the first semi-final on Saturday at Revo Fitness Stadium while West Perth will be at home to Peel Thunder in the second semi-final on Sunday. 
 

WAFL FINALS SERIES 2022 – WEEK 1

QUALIFYING FINAL – EAST FREMANTLE 16.10 (106) defeated CLAREMONT 8.10 (58)

ELIMINATION FINAL – SOUTH FREMANTLE 8.13 (61) lost to PEEL THUNDER 10.10 (70)