EAST Fremantle has completed a remarkable premiership run, overturning a nine-point three-quarter-time deficit to stun minor premier Swan Districts by four points, 3.5 (23) to 2.7 (19), in a gripping WAFL Women’s Grand Final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Sharks trailed from the opening term until Siena Jezierski-Brown became the unlikely premiership hero with three minutes remaining. Tiani Teakle intercepted at half-forward and found Jezierski-Brown 35 metres from goal, with the forward holding her nerve to slot the match-winner and give East Fremantle its first lead of the afternoon.

It was a fitting finish to an extraordinary campaign from the third-placed Sharks, who survived three do-or-die finals by single figures. Once again they found a way in a brutal, low-scoring contest, overcoming a 55-disposal deficit and Swan Districts’ relentless pressure through a dominant ruck performance, disciplined defence and decisive final-quarter surge.

Swan Districts looked the sharper side early as Ashley Sharp threatened to take control inside 50. The dangerous forward fired two shots wide inside the opening five minutes, while Luka Davis also hit the post after catching Mackenzie Webb holding the ball near the boundary.

The pressure was fierce from the outset. Milla Spalding went to Swan Districts star Jaime Henry at stoppages, while Caylen Crook announced East Fremantle’s intent with a heavy early bump on Sharp. The Swans continued to win the territory battle, but a disallowed Taylah Edwards snap following an incorrect disposal and several awkward bounces kept the Sharks in touch.

The breakthrough finally arrived midway through the term. Grace Hirst burst from a stoppage and drove the ball deep, allowing Edwards to gather and slam home the opening goal. Chloe Reilly hit the post soon after, but East Fremantle needed only one clean transition to respond. Zoe Keley pushed hard into space, ran onto a ball that sat up perfectly and converted on the move to leave the Sharks only four points down at the first change.

The second quarter became a genuine arm-wrestle, played largely along the boundary with neither side able to generate a clean look. East Fremantle did not register its first inside 50 until more than five minutes had elapsed, while Swan Districts’ movement repeatedly broke down before it could trouble the scorers.

Sarah Wielstra had the Sharks’ two best chances of the term but pushed both shots to the right. At the other end, Jemma Sly read the play superbly and continually cleared from defence, ensuring the Swans retained a slender 1.4 (10) to 1.2 (8) lead at half-time. Henry had already amassed 20 disposals despite Spalding’s close attention and was looming as the game’s dominant ball-winner.

Swan Districts again attacked first after the main break, only for its wastefulness to keep East Fremantle alive. Sharp snapped a third behind inside the opening minute, and even when the Swans moved the ball neatly through the middle, Webb, Teakle and Anjelique Raison stood firm in defence. Raison’s courageous sliding mark in front of Sharp midway through the quarter typified the Sharks’ commitment.

East Fremantle could not make its rare chances count, but neither could the Swans land the decisive blow. Summer Yarran missed with a flying snap before Shaya Yarran finally created separation late in the term. A turnover at half-forward opened the ground, and Yarran found space in the goalsquare to get boot to ball and extend the margin to nine points at the final change.

Swan Districts had not lost all season when leading at three-quarter time, but East Fremantle threw everything at the minor premier in the last. The Sharks locked the ball in their forward half and flooded the attacking 50 with numbers, turning a game previously played on the Swans’ terms into a frantic battle for territory.

The pressure eventually told. Wielstra wrapped around onto her right and placed a kick perfectly for Keley, who protected the drop, marked 25 metres out and kicked her second goal. Henry answered with a behind at the other end, but the Swans’ lead was only two points and the momentum had shifted.

The match then stopped after a heavy collision left Amber Kinnane and Jessica Cox on the turf. Both players required assistance from trainers and were helped from the ground, while Sly was also left sore after being driven into the turf moments later. The interruptions only added to the tension as almost every player crowded inside East Fremantle’s attacking half.

Summer Ajduk desperately cleared to half-back, but Teakle refused to let the ball escape. The East Fremantle captain intercepted the next kick at half-forward, lowered her eyes and found Jezierski-Brown. With the premiership resting on her set shot, the forward struck it cleanly to put the Sharks in front, 3.5 (23) to 2.7 (19).

East Fremantle immediately sent numbers behind the ball, but Swan Districts still had chances. Isabella Edgley was thrown forward and won a free kick after Webb chopped her arms, only for the quick play-on to be smothered. One last high free gave Naomi Baker possession outside 50, but the siren sounded as she launched the ball forward and the Sharks’ premiership was sealed.

The numbers underlined how extraordinary East Fremantle’s win was. Swan Districts amassed 253 disposals to 198 and laid 95 tackles to 73, but the Sharks won the inside 50 count 33-29 and dominated the ruck 54-33. Most importantly, they converted three goals from eight scoring shots at 37.5 per cent, while the Swans’ 2.7 represented just 22.2 per cent accuracy.

Henry’s performance demanded recognition despite the defeat. The midfield star won the Lou Knitter Medal with 31 disposals, three marks and 13 tackles, finishing as the game’s leading ball-winner and pressure player. Sly was outstanding behind the ball with 25 disposals, eight marks and five inside 50s, while Davis added 22 disposals, six tackles and three inside 50s.

Kayley King worked hard for 21 disposals, Ajduk combined 14 touches with 10 tackles and Lauren Quaife battled for 11 disposals, 30 hitouts and seven tackles. Makaela Grau also provided plenty of resistance with 13 disposals, three marks and six tackles.

Keley capped a superb finals series with East Fremantle’s most influential performance, recording 13 disposals, three marks, 31 hitouts and two goals. Cienna Leslie and Raison collected 16 disposals apiece, with Leslie laying five tackles and Raison driving the Sharks forward three times.

Chloe Colegate finished with 15 disposals and four tackles, while Olivia McCay and Jae Flynn each had 14 touches. Webb’s five marks were important in a defence that held firm under early pressure, Ashlee Atkins laid eight tackles and Brooke Repacholi added 22 hitouts and six tackles.

The triumph was particularly sweet for Kinnane, who claimed her first premiership after missing East Fremantle’s 2023 flag and featuring in the Sharks’ 2022 and 2024 Grand Final defeats.

Jezierski-Brown finished with only five disposals, but none mattered more than the last. Her moment of composure completed East Fremantle’s improbable run and condemned Swan Districts to Grand Final heartbreak for a second straight season, capping a decider defined not by polish, but by pressure, persistence and the courage to take one final chance.

SWAN DISTRICTS 1.4 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 2.7 (19)
EAST FREMANTLE 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 3.5 (23)

GOALS:
Swan Districts: T. Edwards, S. Yarran
East Fremantle: Z. Keley 2, S. Jezierski-Brown

RMC BEST:
Swan Districts: J. Henry, J. Sly, L. Davis, S. Ajduk, K. King
East Fremantle: Z. Keley, A. Raison, C. Leslie, T. Teakle, M. Webb

Lou Knitter Medal: Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)