WAFL Colts: Finals race heats up in penultimate round
FOUR teams are vying for the last three WAFL Colts finals spots after a crucial set of results in the penultimate home-and-away round. Meanwhile, East Fremantle is in the box sear to snatch the minor premiership from rival South Fremantle next week as a dramatic campaign reaches its conclusion.
>> SCROLL to see the results, ladder & fixture
Perth jumped back into the top five with a valiant 11-point win over third-placed reigning premier, Claremont. The Demons overcame a slow start to sneak ahead by two points at half time, before skipping to a game-high 22-point lead in the final quarter en route to their 13.7 (85) to 11.8 (74) victory.
Max Rosser led Claremont’s fightback with four goals, including two in the fourth term. Rohan Keys managed three majors for Perth, while Dale Sutherland (20 disposals) was named best afield. Samson Jennings-Hopkins was a standout for the Tigers, leading all comers with 27 touches and two goals.
Perth will play off for a finals berth in Round 20 against Subiaco, who sit a game off the four-strong pack of teams with eight wins apiece. Meanwhile, Claremont will fancy its chances of securing third spot when it hosts the lowly East Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium to see out its minor round campaign.
The eighth-placed Royals went down to East Fremantle to the tune of 64 points on Saturday, as the Sharks hunt this year’s minor premiership. East Perth was restricted to a goal per quarter at The Good Grocer park, while the hosts helped themselves to healthy advantages at each break.
16-year-old debutant Reid Foot starred for the Sharks, leading all comers with 26 disposals, eight inside 50s and two goals to burst onto the scene. He was among East Fremantle’s list of six goalkickers, five of which snared multiples. Riaz Mohammad and Kye Ormerod led the way with three each.
With current pole-sitter South Fremantle having the bye in Round 20, the Sharks will need to beat West Perth (fourth) to secure top spot. Only percentage separates the two rivals, who have locked horns twice already this season for an even ledger of one victory apiece. Both teams boast 12 wins.
West Perth will not only hope to spoil the Sharks’ party next week, but also grimly hold onto its top five spot after going down by 34 points to South Fremantle. The Bulldogs steadily went about building their advantage at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, leading at every break to salute 11.14 (80) to 7.4 (46).
Star midfielders Fred Rodriguez (eight tackles, six inside 50s, one goal) and Toby Whan (five marks, six inside 50s) both racked up a game-high 27 touches for the Bulldogs. They were the best two players afield, while Falcons Koby LeCras (three goals) and Lochlain Carpenter (nine marks) also impressed.
Over at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, Subiaco ensured it would remain a mathematical chance of sneaking into finals after beating Peel Thunder by an even nine goals. The Lions will need to overcome Perth and bridge a substantial percentage gap to stand any chance of making the unlikely jump from seventh.
Dylan Prance was a standout for the victors with 31 disposals, eight marks, eight inside 50s and a goal, while Dylan Young (four goals) and Joshua Detata (three) did the scoreboard damage. Meanwhile, bottom-age tall Mitchell Stirling (20 disposals, nine marks) had his hands full for the Thunder.
ROUND 19 RESULTS
East Fremantle 13.15 (93) def. East Perth 4.5 (29)
Perth 13.7 (85) def. Claremont 11.8 (74)
South Fremantle 11.14 (80) def. West Perth 7.4 (46)
Subiaco 13.6 (84) def. Peel Thunder 4.6 (30)
Bye: Swan Districts
WAFL COLTS LADDER
1. South Fremantle | 12-4 | 186.2% | 48 points
2. East Fremantle | 12-3 | 158.2% | 48 points
3. Claremont | 8-7 | 110.8% | 32 points
4. West Perth | 8-7 | 104.0% | 32 points
5. Perth | 8-7 | 101.2% | 32 points
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6. Swan Districts | 8-7 | 98.0% | 32 points
7. Subiaco | 7-8 | 91.6% | 28 points
8. East Perth | 5-10 | 70.6% | 20 points
9. Peel Thunder | 0-15 | 45.7% | 0 points
ROUND 20 FIXTURE
Saturday August 23:
Claremont vs. East Perth @ Revo Fitness Stadium
Peel Thunder vs. Swan Districts @ Lane Group Stadium
East Fremantle vs. West Perth @ The Good Grocer Park
Subiaco vs. Perth @ Sullivan Logistics Stadium
Bye: South Fremantle
WAFL Colts: Finals race heats up in penultimate round
FOUR teams are vying for the last three WAFL Colts finals spots after a crucial set of results in the penultimate home-and-away round. Meanwhile, East Fremantle is in the box sear to snatch the minor premiership from rival South Fremantle next week as a dramatic campaign reaches its conclusion. >> SCROLL to see the results, […]
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