WAFL Round 23: Tigers get there

WAFL round 23…

Of course the WAFL home and away season would end like this.

Claremont kicked the last four goals of their game against West Perth at Joondalup to snatch victory and claim a spot in the finals. The Tigers lost their first five games of the season. Swans players were watching and their love of the Falcons has waned. Kepler Bradley kicked two of those last quarter goals. Corey Yeo, Jake Murphy and Tom Ledger battled away in the midfield and kept the Tigers in the game. Matthew Davies was good in defence and Mitch Andrews controlled the ruck. Aaron Black was in great touch for West Perth, Blake Wilhelm had a good game and Nic Rodda was strong in defence.

Claremont 9.15 (69) West Perth 10.7 (67)

The game between the Leederville Oval co-tenants was awful but it was close. East Perth looked the likely winners until late in the game in which turnovers ruled. It took 12 minutes for either team to score and Subiaco kicked their first goal half way through the second quarter. Shane Yarran had two chances to put the Lions in front in the last quarter and, in keeping with the game, put the first out on the full and kicked the second. Wade Twomey was important in defence for Subiaco, Sam Menegola, Leigh Kitchen and Kyal Horsely were good in the midfield and Clancy Wheeler competed strongly in the ruck. Garry Moss was superb for the Royals and turned back many Lion attacks. Brendan Lee was good as usual, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls used the ball the well and Paul Johnson was strong in the ruck.

Subiaco 9.13 (67) East Perth 9.9 (63)

Peel will play in the finals for the first time and they’ll play at least two. The Thunder ran away in the second half at Rushton Park against South Fremantle with Leroy Jetta outstanding with seven goals. Jack Hannath was the best ruckman in the game, Jacob Ballard had another good game, Brendan Jones showed he’ll go into his first finals campaign in form and Gerald Ugle kicked three goals. Marlon Pickett played more of an attacking role for the Bulldogs and kicked three goals, Matthew Ah Siu showed promise and Ashton and Kyle Hams were superb for the Bulldogs.

Peel 16.12 (108) South Fremantle 9.15 (69)

East Fremantle gave Brad Dodd his first win as coach and were never really challenged by bottom team Perth. Brock O’Brien kicked five goals for the Sharks including two monsters in the third quarter, Rob Young’s last game was a beauty and he kicked two goals. Jack Cripps looked good, Brandon Ellis presented well in attack and Jacob Green showed that East Fremantle have plenty of young talent. For Perth Aidan Tropiano finished his remarkable season as it began as did Liam McKenna while Brett Wolfenden was whole-hearted in his approach.

East Fremantle 15.15 (105) Perth 7.10 (52)

The ladder: Subiaco 68; West Perth 52; Peel 52; East Perth 44; Claremont 40; Swan Districts 40; South Fremantle 32; East Fremantle 24; Perth 8.

Next week: Qualifying final: West Perth vs Peel at Arena Joondalup; Elimination final: East Perth vs Claremont at Leederville Oval. Both games on Sunday.

There’s still no word on whether West Perth’s finals games will be telecast by Channel Seven due to the Channel Nine logo on their jumpers.

1. Seven must think the Nine logo is very effective.
2. Perhaps Seven should take a punt. Imagine what they could make of the Nine logo losing the grand final – ‘second again.’ And if the Falcons win they could just go straight to the test pattern or something.
3. I couldn’t tell you what logo any team other than West Perth has on their jumper.