Photo by Les Everett
WAFL semi-finals
The higher ranked teams won through in the WAFL semi-finals setting up yet another meeting between Claremont and East Fremantle.
At Claremont Oval on Sunday the home team took control after conceding the first two goals and never really looked in danger. A burst of three goals inspired by Neil Erasmus in the second quarter tied the scores but by half time the margin was out to 20 points and the challenge had been answered.
Tiger stars Jye Bolton and Bailey Rogers were at their best but some lesser lights also caused plenty of damage. Tyron Smallwood (above) kicked three goals and set up others in an inspired display, Oliver Eastland squared the ruck battle with Lloyd Meek, Alex Manuel scored five goals, Max Spyvee got three, Jack Buller was a good forward target, Tim House enjoyed running around in the backline and Ronin O’Connor was effective in a defensive role in the midfield.
Karl Worner and Nathan Wilson did their best to set things up from defence for Peel and Mitch Crowden battled away.
At Joondalup West Perth fell behind early in the second quarter but kicked the next four goals of the half and remained in control. Mitchell Peirce was very effective for the Falcons and finished with two goals, Shane Nelson was at his best in the midfield and Luke Meadows had another good game.
The Sharks did a lot right and again got plenty from Milan Murdock, Kyle Baskerville and Cam Eardley – they will continue to dream.
First semi-final: Claremont 16.15 (111) Peel 8.4 (52)
Second semi-final: West Perth 12.9 (81) East Fremantle 8.13 (61)
East Fremantle will play Claremont at East Fremantle Oval on Sunday in the Preliminary Final. The teams know each other well. The Sharks beat the Tigers by 45 points at Claremont Oval on 27 August and by 48 points on 10 September. Pressure was the key in both games.
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About Les Everett
A Footy Almanac veteran, Les Everett is the author of Gravel Rash: 100 Years of Goldfields Football and Fremantle Dockers: An Illustrated History. Co-founder with Vin Maskell of scoreboardpressure.com. Founder of australianrules.com.au and the Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/abandonedcricketpitches/
Good to see sanity restored with the Fremantle Peelers dropping out. No coincidence that the Dockers dropping out of AFL finals coincided with their WAFL players losing intensity. Can’t be good for local player development in Mandurah and the Peel region.
West Perth are now clear flag faves, but I hang onto a liking for the Sharks. They had plenty of the ball on Saturday but a dysfunctional forward line. Think they will easily account for the Tigers again and set up a tight GF. Leederville Oval is the unknown quantity for the GF. Standing room only counts me out and the playing surface is anyone’s guess if we get more rain. Don’t know who adapts better to the smaller ground as both have been playing on wider expanses of Joondalup and WACA.
Shame on the Football Commission for not organising venues better for the end of a terrific competitive season of WAFL footy.
Wonderful day for West Perth Football Club on Saturday for all three grades. That’s twice now they’ve taken Easts to the sword at home. Leederville is a conundrum but completely belted Subi there earlier in the season in our only game there in 2022.
Looking the Eagles delistings today it seems the Sharks will get back some decent players next season bu that’s next season. It’s hopefully written in the stars for the Cardies at their spiritual home Saturday week.
Hi PB. Can you elaborate regarding the GF venue please? Is it because Optus and WACA are unavailable? Is that because the WAFL are finishing two weeks behind most other comps?
We had an absolute cracking contest here Sunday at the AO. 27.5K with suspect weather sounded like 40K. As a neutral, just superb.
Optus has international cricket on October 9 & needs to get drop-in pitch bedded in. WACA has state cricket in October and doesn’t want footballers ripping up the surface.
Bizarre all round. Dunno why we are finishing after AFL GF and 2 weeks later than SANFL. Makes these scheduling clashes inevitable.
Scheduling GF at Leederville seems entirely a commercial decision after venue was put out to tender. Lousy facility with small stands, limited outer and poor playing surface. West Perth’s home ground at Joondalup is a much better playing surface with good facilities. Spacious outer.
I’m not a fan of Fremantle Oval. Ground slopes away on western side. Worst stands in WAFL.
Swan Districts ground at Bassendean is large with a good playing surface and outer bank, but the stands and facilities are antiquated.
Interesting. If I’m reading Dennis correctly, WP played at Leederville once this year. I’m assuming their away game against EP was played elsewhere. I dragged a mate to Leederville for the second half of a Subi home game when I was over a couple of years ago for Crows v Freo match on a June Sunday. An interesting feel to it. Did enjoy looking at the old Subi photos in the clubrooms. I guess one advantage is it’s central location. As central as Thebarton will be for the home of the Crows.