After an incredible season in the WAFL Simply Energy Colts Competition, Peel Thunder host Claremont at Optus Stadium on Sunday, September 22, with the game scheduled to start at 11:40am.

The Thunder are out for redemption after being beaten by 22 points at the hands of Swan Districts in the 2018 preliminary final, while the Tigers are aiming to claim their fourth Colts premiership from seven Grand Finals this decade.

Throughout their 2019 home-and-away campaign, the Thunder only lost two games for the year against Claremont in round six (12 points) and against East Fremantle in round 15 (12 points) to take out the minor premiership.

The Thunder were also clinical in the second semi-final against Claremont, defeating the Tigers by 34 points to secure a Grand Final berth.

Moving now to their rivals, the Tigers lost five games throughout their home-and-away campaign to East Fremantle in round one (two points), West Perth in round two (15 points), Perth in round five (32 points), East Perth in round 11 (13 points) and Peel in round 17 (16 points).

In the Qualifying Final, the Tigers defeated a wayward West Perth by just five points, while in the Second Semi-Final they were defeated by the Thunder to the tune of 34 points. Then in the Preliminary Final in a rematch against the Falcons, the Tigers held on by 21 points to advance to the Grand Final.

Both of these clubs have had intense battles throughout the 2019 Simply Energy WAFL Colts Competition. 

In round six, the Tigers defeated the Thunder by 12 points at Revo Fitness Stadium, on the back of brilliant performances by Thomas Baldwin (22 possessions and a goal), Max Minear (12 possessions and 31 hit-outs) and Leno Thomas (21 possessions). For the Thunder, Zach Rankin (22 possessions and six inside 50s) and Jonathon Ietto (18 possessions and two goals) stood tall in the contest

In round 17, the Thunder scored revenge after defeating the Tigers to the tune of 17 points at David Grays Arena. Tyrone Thorne (25 possessions and five tackles), Jack Sears (23 possessions, 10 marks and a goal), Brad Oldfield (24 possessions and two goals) and Jackson Knight (15 possessions and three goals) led the way for the Thunder, while for the Tigers, Ronin O’Connor (23 possessions and six inside 50s), Jack Buller (16 possessions and 20 hit-outs), Jack Cooley (29 possessions and five marks) and Jye Clark (29 possessions and five inside 50s) battled hard.

In the Second Semi-Final the Thunder put their foot on the gas to defeat the Tigers by 34 points at Revo Fitness Stadium. Thorne (25 possessions and three goals), Jarvis Pina (25 possessions and nine marks), James Ewing (22 possessions and eight marks) and Isiah Winder (18 possessions and two goals) led the way for the Thunder. On a tough day, Joel Western (24 possessions and seven tackles), Callum Jamieson (18 possessions and 26 hit-outs) and Thomas (16 possessions and three marks) battled manfully for Claremont.

THE KEY PLAYERS
PEEL THUNDER
James Ewing
The Eaton Boomers’ product was named the full back in the Team of the Year after a stellar campaign. In 16 games, Ewing averaged 17 possessions and five marks. With ball-in-hand, Ewing is super-efficient, and is capable of providing excellent rebound that can lead to attacking opportunities. 

Ben Middleton
The Halls Head Junior is one of the better key forwards in this year’s Simply Energy WAFL Colts competition. In 12 games, Middleton kicked 23 goals to take out the competition’s Leading Goalkicker Award and averaged 11 possessions and five marks. As a key forward, Middleton always works hard to provide an option, is strong overhead and has good skills.

Brad Oldfield
The 2018 WA U18s State Academy player had an excellent season for the Thunder, which cultivated in him finishing eighth in the Jack Clarke Medal. Across 14 games for the Thunder, Oldfield booted 11 goals and averaged 21 possessions, five tackles and four marks. A blue collar midfielder, Oldfield accumulates possessions and then disposes of them in ways wthat are frequently precise and damaging.

Jarvis Pina
The Peel Thunder Captain is a small defender who has the ability to lock down on his direct opponent, but also knows when to provide attacking rebound. Pina uses his speed and his deft skills to carve through the opposition’s defensive zones. In seven games, he averaged 23 possessions, six marks and five tackles.

Jack Sears
The South Mandurah product has been plying his trade as a hard-running wingman this year, after making a name for himself as a marking forward in 2018. Across 16 games, Sears kicked 11 goals and averaged 18 possessions and five marks. He always provides a strong link between the defence and the forward line, due to his aerobic capability, his strong overhead marking and his good skills.

Tyrone Thorne
The younger brother of Peel’s senior player Calvin, Tyrone is a small forward who has shown an ability to push into the midfield. In seven games for the Thunder, Thorne kicked 15 goals and averaged 18 possessions, six tackles, four marks and three inside 50s. Thorne never shirks a contest, is defensively sound and is influential with his ability to set up attacking entries.

CLAREMONT
Cameron Anderson
The Wesley College student is a dynamic rebounding half-back flanker who can push onto the wing. Anderson is blessed with speed, and agility,  and loves to take the game on resulting in plenty of attacking opportunities for the Tigers. Across seven games, Anderson averaged 14 possessions, three tackles and two marks.

Jack Buller
A key position player at either end of the ground, Buller is also capable of playing as a ruckman. In 16 games, Buller averaged 13 possessions, four marks, three tackles and kicked three goals playing primarily as a key defender. He is strong in one-on-one contests, is capable overhead, reads the game well and plays with a healthy aggression.

Jye Clark
The Albany product finished fourth in the Jack Clarke Medal after a strong season for the Tigers. In 15 games, Clark averaged 24 possessions, three marks, three tackles and booted six goals to be amongst the best midfielders in the competition. Like his older brother Jordan, Jye is a sound decision-maker, loves the physicality of the game and has solid skills.

Callum Jamieson
The North Beach Junior has become one of the better rucks in this year’s Simply Energy WAFL Colts Competition. In 11 games for the Tigers, Jamieson averaged 17 possessions, 23 hit-outs, five marks, four tackles and kicked four goals. As a ruckman, he is athletic, skilful and is a strong overhead mark.

Ronin O’Connor
The Marist Junior is a big-bodied inside midfielder who can also play off the half-back line. In 12 games for the Tigers, O’Connor averaged 16 possessions, six tackles, and two marks. O’Connor is competitive, works hard both offensively and defensively, is extremely hard in the contest and has good skills.

Leno Thomas
The Fremantle Next-Generation Academy is a medium-sized defender who reads the play well and boasts penetrating skills. In 17 games for the Tigers, Thomas averaged 15 possessions, three marks, two tackles and kicked four goals. Thomas is clean, smart with his positioning, makes correct decisions with ball in hand and has the skills to set up attacking forays for the Tigers.

WHILE his teammate Kyal Horsley likely cemented his place as the Sandover Medal's unluckiest player in WAFL history, that shouldn’t diminish the fact that Lachlan Delahunty deserved the honour having likely taken on the position as the competition's best player in 2019.

It was quite the thrilling vote count to determine the winner of the Sandover Medal at Optus Stadium on Monday night as the week builds up to what shapes as a fascinating WAFL Grand Final on Sunday at the same venue between Subiaco and South Fremantle.

The vote count reverted back to a 3-2-1 system and in the end it wasn’t until the very last round of a 20-week home and away season until the winner was determined with three players still eligible entering the last round.

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Lachlan Delahunty from Subiaco Football Club was named 2019 Sandover Medallist at the vote count at Optus Stadium tonight, Monday September 16, with a total of 28 votes.

Delahunty finished the count one vote ahead of Subiaco teammate Kyal Horsley on 27 votes, and previous Sandover Medal winners Kane Mitchell (24 votes) and Jye Bolton (22 votes), from Claremont.

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THE West Australian Football League will honour the 2019 Optus WAFL Premiership Season’s fairest and best player when the Sandover Medal is presented in the River View Room at Optus Stadium on Monday night, September 16.

The Sandover Medal, which has been awarded each season since 1921, will be presented by Ian Sandover, great grandson of the original donor of the medal, Mr Alfred Sandover.

This year, voting has reverted to a 3-2-1 system, with multiple medals to be awarded in the case of a tie. Assuming a sole winner, the 109th Sandover Medal will be presented.

In 2019 the count will be livestreamed on the WAFL Facebook and Website throughout the evening.

Tune in below from 7.00pm for all the action and drama of the WA Football's night of nights. 

Updates will also be posted throughout the night on WAFL social media accounts:

Twitter: @WAFLOfficial 
Instagram: @waflofficial 
Facebook: WAFL 
#SandoverMedal
 

SOUTH Fremantle has avoided making an unwanted slice of history by overpowering Claremont in a fiercely contested preliminary final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval winning by five goals to book in a Grand Final opportunity against Subiaco.

Having lost the previous three preliminary finals, South Fremantle would have become the first team in WAFL history to lose four in-a-row if Claremont had prevailed, and at half-time that looked well and truly on the cards.

Despite appearing no real reason for it, all the scoring in the first three quarters went to the Fremantle Hospital end of Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

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CLAREMONT has long been the powerhouse of the WAFL Colts competition and the Tigers are into another Grand Final in 2019 booking their place against Peel Thunder with a preliminary final win against West Perth.

Claremont and West Perth did battle in the preliminary final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday morning and even though they had to come from behind, the Tigers ended up beating the Falcons 9.12 (66) to 6.9 (45).

The win sees Claremont advance to next Sunday's Grand Final against Peel Thunder at Optus Stadium in what shapes as a tremendous decider for the 2019 colts premiership.

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HAVING been ever so close to Claremont's last period of WAFL dominance, Anton Hamp has had to change to being a defender and waited longer than he hoped, but now is desperate to make the most of being in another preliminary final.

Hamp was drafted by the West Coast Eagles and played his early football at Claremont as quite the impressive key forward and it seemed a natural that he would be the long-term replacement for the likes of Tom Lee, Chad Jones and even Beau Maister.

As Hamp was in the formative years of his career, it was quite the tough Claremont team to break into between 2010-2013 as they won four successive minor premierships, played in three straight Grand Finals and won back-to-back flags in 2011 and 2012.

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ZAC Dent was always confident he could make it as a WAFL footballer, all he needed was a chance and that has come his way with South Fremantle and he's grasping it with both hands to now be one win away from helping the Bulldogs to a Grand Final.

Growing up in Boyup Brook and playing his early football at Bridgetown, Dent played some impressive colts football at East Perth back in 2014 and then stepped up well to also deliver impressive reserves football in 2015 averaging 20.4 disposals a game.

But the alignment with the West Coast Eagles meant that a league opportunity didn’t come his way and disenchanted with the game, not only did Dent decide to leave the Royals and the WAFL system, but he stepped away from football altogether in 2016 and 2017.

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East Fremantle have claimed the inaugural Optus WAFLW Premiership after a hard-fought 33-point victory over Swan Districts at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday. 

The clubs second-straight flag was built off the back of a dominant three-goal second quarter, seeing the Sharks take a 25-point lead the long break. 

Roxy Roux kicked the first goal of the final quarter to all but seal the victory for the women in blue, collecting the first-ever WAFLW Premiership.

The historic win was built off the back of midfield dominance, seeing the likes of Evie Gooch, Ashlee Atkins and Gabby O’Sullivan getting plenty of the ball.

Atkins goal on the quarter-time siren from a 50-metre free kick saw the momentum swing the way of the Sharks, before a classy checkside from O’Sullivan in the second pushed East Fremantle clear. 

Stephanie Sparke added her second early in the third term, while Ashley Sharpe tried desperately for the Swans outfit with a goal of her own late in the quarter. 

Despite a late challenge from the Swans, East Fremantle held firm in the last to run out 33-point victors. 

Gabby O’Sullivan was awarded the Lou Knitter Medal for the best afield, while Gooch held the cup aloft as the captain of the East Fremantle side. 

SCOREBOARD

EF: 2.1      5.3.      6.3.    8.3  (51)
SD: 0.1     1.2        3.2     4.4  (28)

BEST: 
EF: O’Sullivan, Gooch, Roux, Atkins, Pluschke  
SD: Strom, Cain, Sharp, Gibson, Bowen 

GOALS
EF: Roux, Sparke 2, Tapner, Atkins, Ashley, O'Sullivan 
SD: Gibson, M.Hyde, Davison, Sharp

PRECIOUS little has separated South Fremantle and Claremont right throughout the 2019 WAFL season and now it's only fitting they lock horns in Sunday's preliminary final for a place in the Grand Final.

The Bulldogs and Tigers went neck and neck over second position for much of the 2019 Optus WAFL Premiership Season with South Fremantle just managing to claim second position by finishing one game ahead.

But in the end, South Fremantle only held on to that second position by a goal which is what they beat West Perth by in the final round. Had they lost that game, Claremont had done enough to earn a superior percentage to claim second spot had they been on the same number of wins.

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CLAREMONT and West Perth begin a big day at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday in the colts preliminary final with the winner to advance to the Grand Final against Peel Thunder.

Peel has been the dominant team all season in the colts finishing three games clear on top of the ladder with a 14-2 record. 

That saw the Thunder earn the first week of the finals off before taking on Claremont in last Sunday's second semi-final which saw them win by 34 points despite having to give up home ground advantage and playing the game at Revo Fitness Stadium.

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The inaugural Optus WAFL Women’s Grand Final will be played between East Fremantle and Swan Districts at 2.35pm this Saturday, September 14 at Mineral Resources Park, Lathlain.

Key Event Info
$5 entry at the gate, kids U16 free
Kick-to-kick at every break
Food and beverage options
Giveaways & kids inflatables
10.15am - Rogers Cup Grand Final - South Fremantle v Peel Thunder
12.10pm - Reserves Grand Final - South Fremantle v Claremont
2.35pm - WAFLW Grand Final - East Fremantle v Swan Districts
Optus WAFLW Grand Final broadcast live on Channel 7 and ABC Radio 720AM
 
 
$10,000 PREMIERSHIP GRANT
Thanks to WAFLW naming rights partner Optus, the inaugural 2019 Optus WAFLW Premiers will receive a $10,000 grant to put towards player development, equipment and facilities to help them prepare for an even bigger and better 2020 premiership season.
 
Activities & Entertainment
There will be plenty of entertainment on the day including a photo opportunity with a host of AFLW players, including AFLW Adelaide Crows Captain Chelsea Randall.
 
Simply Energy will be handing out 500 free footballs and Bupa will be on site to provide free health insurance checks.
 
There will be a Carlton Draught pop up bar with a special appearance by Shaun McManus from Nova 93.7 and kids can come on field at half time and ‘Chase the Swan’ for a chance to win $100!

EAST Fremantle and Swan Districts are both in hot form and it sets the stage for quite the spectacle in the first ever WAFLW Grand Final on Saturday afternoon.

The inaugural Optus WAFLW Premiership Season has proved quite the success with the launch of the new five-team competition in 2019 to continue to build on the momentum created for female football by AFLW.

It was Claremont, East Fremantle, Peel Thunder, Subiaco and Swan Districts chosen as the five teams to take part in the first WAFLW season and there was precious little between the top four teams with only Peel missing out on a finals appearance.

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THE West Australian Football League will honour the 2019 Optus WAFL Premiership Season’s fairest and best player when the Sandover Medal is presented in the River View Room at Optus Stadium on Monday night, September 16.

The Sandover Medal, which has been awarded each season since 1921, will be presented by Ian Sandover, great grandson of the original donor of the medal, Mr Alfred Sandover.

This year, voting has reverted to a 3-2-1 system, with multiple medals to be awarded in the case of a tie. Assuming a sole winner, the 109th Sandover Medal will be presented.

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SWAN Districts enters Saturday's inaugural WAFL Women's Grand Final in hot form and captain Ebony Antonio sees no reason why it can't continue against East Fremantle as they set their sights on the premiership.

Swans are no strangers to making history and back in 2017 they did that by winning the league, reserves and Rogers Cup premierships in the one WA Women's Football League season.

Now after not making finals in the final WAWFL season, Swans are back to being a force again in 2019 and it's partners leading the way as captain and coach in the form of Fremantle Dockers AFLW pair Ebony Antonio and Kara Donnellan.

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