CLAREMONT has secured its place in the 2025 WAFL Women’s Grand Final after an incredible one-point victory over Subiaco in overtime yesterday. The Tigers won 4.5 (29) to 4.4 (28) with a Megan Green behind the only score separating the two league heavyweights.

Of course any overtime thriller comes with its regrets from the losing side, as Subiaco had not one, but two chances in the final 20 seconds when getting goalside, but both attempted shots on goal drifted across the face without registering a score. The siren sounded seconds after the latest checkside attempt bounced out of bounds, signalling Claremont’s win and just how close it had been to a reversed result.

Subiaco certainly had its chances, leading at both half-time and three quarter time after scores were level at the first break. They had eight more inside 50s throughout the match, and were up throughout the second half, but Claremont refused to die. Green booted two majors for the winners, with Bec Anderson and Jacinta Valentini the other goalkickers for Claremont.

Being a thorn in the Lions’ side, Abby Maynard was able to consistently mop up for Claremont, while the midfield pressure came from tackling machines Juliet Kelly and Matilda Sergeant who laid 29 between them as part of an 85-tackle apiece contest. The trio all had 23 or more disposals, while two-time Dhara Kerr Medallist Jayme Harken was busy. Mackenzie Webb and Sarah Viney were influential in the air and at ground level respectively, while the inclusion of Claire Ortlepp proved a crucial one.

For the Lions, skipper Tess Lyons did well against a quality two-pronged Claremont ruck division, tacking up 38 hitouts and laying six tackles from 12 disposals in defeat. Missing Lisa Steane, Subiaco’s other gun midfielders in Krstel Petrevski (24 disposals, 10 tackles) and Paige Sheppard (20 disposals, six tackles) were important, as wing Hayley Corlett put up numbers of 20 disposals, three marks, seven tackles and six inside 50s. National Academy pair Olivia Wolmarans (14 disposals, four marks, four tackles and two goals) and Olivia Crane (19 disposals, nine marks and five tackles) were important up either end.

The win meant Claremont advances straight through to the grand final, while Subiaco utilises its second chance when it faces Swan Districts at Sullivan Logistics Stadium next week.

CLAREMONT 1.0 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 4.5 (29)
SUBIACO 1.0 | 2.2 | 4.2 | 4.4 (28)

GOALS:
Claremont: M. Green 2, J. Valentini, B. Anderson
Subiaco: O. Wolmarans 2, A. Schmidt, S. Bosich

RMC BEST:
Claremont: M. Webb, A. Maynard, M. Sergeant, J. Kelly, M. Green
Subiaco: K. Petrevski, H. Corlett, O. Crane, T. Lyons, O. Wolmarans