SOUTH FREMANTLE has surged into the box seat for a WAFLW finals berth, sealing a hard-fought 13-point win over Subiaco, 9.6 (60) to 7.5 (47), courtesy of a ruthless four-goals-to-one final term at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in a Round 17 clash with major finals implications.

The result lifts the Bulldogs to third on the ladder with 38 points, and while they now find themselves in the box seat for a top-four finish, the job isn’t 100 per cent secure. However, a South Fremantle loss in the final round could still be be enough to lock away their finals spot, provided either East Fremantle (36 points) or Perth (34 points) also go down on the same weekend.

Subiaco held a narrow-two point lead at the first change, before South Fremantle hit back in the second quarter, booting two goals to one to seize a six-point advantage at half-time, 3.4 (22) to 2.4 (16). While it had been an epic struggle in the first half, that would change as Subiaco slammed home four goals to two to again retake the lead and head into the last change with a seven-point buffer.

The stakes could not have been higher with Subiaco needing the four points to stay in finals contention, while the Bulldogs had to win to ensure they went into the final round inside the top four. Fortunately for the home side, three goals in the first seven minutes secured just that scenario, with back-to-back majors within four minutes to Madison Hadley, and then one to Kiana Lee – her third of the contest – essentially iced the game. She would kick a fourth before bottom-ager Marley Kelman slotted a consolation goal for the Lions to bring it back to 13 points at the final siren.

Lee continued her stunning form since crossing from the SANFLW, booting a game-high four goals from 15 disposals and seven marks to take her tally to 12 majors in just three WAFLW games. Hadley was equally damaging up forward, adding three goals to go with five tackles, while Shannyn Pomersbach chipped in with two of her own. Through the midfield, Tahleah Mulder (23 disposals) and Makaela Tuhakaraina (19 disposals, five inside 50s) provided plenty of drive, with Liusaidh Gilchrist (15 disposals) and Ashleigh Gomes (14 disposals, seven tackles) also prominent. Kate Newson dominated in the ruck, racking up 39 hitouts to give her midfield first use.

For Subiaco, Lisa Steane was best afield with a game-high 32 disposals, seven tackles and seven inside 50s, while Paige Sheppard backed up her huge Round 16 performance with 30 touches and 10 tackles. Krstel Petrevski (21 disposals) was also influential through the middle. Up forward, Annabel Johnson booted three goals, while Kelman continued to impress with two majors and 12 disposals. Macy Fair (15 disposals) was solid in just her second WAFLW game back from a long-term ACL injury, while Charlotte Newland provided support in the ruck with seven hitouts.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 1.1 | 3.4 | 5.4 | 9.6 (60)
SUBIACO 1.3 | 2.4 | 6.5 | 7.5 (47)

GOALS:
South Fremantle: K. Lee 4, M. Hadley 3, S. Pomersbach 2
Subiaco: A. Johnson 3, M. Kelman 2, L. Rowe, S. Bosich

RMC BEST:
South Fremantle: K. Lee, M. Hadley, T. Mulder, M. Tuhakaraina, K. Newson
Subiaco: L. Steane, P. Sheppard, K. Petrevski, A. Johnson, M. Kelman

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Boorloo produced a crucial victory in regards to its finals chances, running over the top of East Fremantle to secure a 30-point win, 6.11 (47) to 2.5 (17), at Mineral Resources Park. The result throws the race for fourth wide open, with East Fremantle’s finals fate now tied to how Boorloo fares in the final round. Boorloo led by three points at the first change before extending the margin each term, holding a 22-point buffer at three-quarter time and cruising home from there.

Natalie House was the difference up forward for Boorloo, booting three goals to go with 16 disposals and five marks, while Mia Carlshausen chipped in with two majors of her own. Katelyn Cox (18 disposals) and Paige Bower (16 disposals, seven marks) drove things through the midfield, with Holly Britton (24 disposals) also prominent. For East Fremantle, Chloe Colegate was best afield with 24 disposals, well supported by Anjelique Raison (20 disposals, seven marks) and Tiani Teakle (19 disposals). Jae Flynn (21 disposals) and Zoe Keley (14 disposals, 14 hitouts) also stood tall in a tough day for the Sharks.

Swan Districts continued its ominous march toward the minor premiership, running riot against winless Peel Thunder for a 74-point demolition, 12.11 (83) to 1.3 (9), at Steel Blue Oval. The Black Ducks were ruthless in the first half, booting six goals to nil to lead by 42 points at the main break, and never let up, restricting Peel to a lone goal for the entire match.

Taylah Edwards was the chief damage-doer up forward with four goals, while Summer Yarran added three majors from 15 disposals and five marks. Ashley Sharp also found the scoreboard with two goals. Through the middle, Jaime Henry was prolific with a game-high 33 disposals, well supported by Chloe Reilly (22 disposals, one goal) and Luka Davis (21 disposals). For Peel Thunder, Chloe Wrigley again stood out with 26 disposals, while Holly Bilcich (22 disposals) and Cassie Davidson (17 disposals, eight tackles) worked hard in a lost cause. Bottom-ager Tiama Collard continued her strong season with 17 disposals, while Heidi Ireland (16 disposals) also competed well.

West Perth snapped a four-game losing streak in clinical fashion, cruising to a 50-point win over East Perth, 9.15 (69) to 3.1 (19), at Sullivan Logistics Stadium. The Falcons set the tone in the opening term, booting 4.4 to nil, and never let the Royals into the contest, restricting them to just one goal until the final change.

Eight different players found the goals for West Perth, headlined by Katherine Bennett’s two majors. Ellee McEvoy (26 disposals) was outstanding through the midfield, while returning State Academy pair Cara Dziegielewski (21 disposals, 24 hitouts) and Lexi Strachan (18 disposals, four tackles) also showed the class expected of them. Megan Norbury and Sophie Fisher rounded out a strong team performance. For East Perth, Hope Ugle-Hayward was named best afield by the coaches with two goals, while Kate Inglis-Hodge, Holly Touchell, Taylah Suda and Tessa Kohn all battled hard in defeat.