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Round 21 Match ReportsSunday, August 26, 2018 - 1:00 PM - by Chris Pike

IT took until the very last kick of the 2018 WAFL season for Claremont to snatch fourth position and a home elimination final against East Perth with big last round victories also for Subiaco, South Fremantle and the Royals.

Coming into the final round of the 2018 WAFL season, East Perth, Perth and Peel Thunder were still all a chance to finish in fifth position and to play finals football.

The first thing to determine things was the match at Bendigo Bank Stadium between the premiers of the past two seasons, Peel Thunder, and East Perth.

In the end, that turned out to be a dominant performance by the Royals who beat the Thunder 16.18 (114) to 4.6 (30).

That secured East Perth's finals position and ended the hopes of September action for both Peel and Perth.

That meant that it was all down to what happened at Steel Blue Oval between Swan Districts and Claremont to determine who would host next Sunday's elimination final.

Swan Districts might have been out of finals contention and lost eight of its past nine matches, but were determined to finish the season on a high and led the Tigers most of the afternoon.

But Claremont stayed in touch and then with 2016 Sandover Medallist and dual Simpson Medal winner Jye Bolton with the ball in hands as the siren sounded, everything was at stake. 

He went back to kick the goal and give Claremont the 13.13 (91) to 13.8 (86) victory to mean the Tigers will be at home in next Sunday's elimination final against the Royals.

The WAFL's top two teams both had thumping wins on Saturday to close out the home and away season too.

South Fremantle made it seven straight against East Fremantle and 10 in-a-row at East Fremantle Oval with a 23.11 (149) to 5.6 (36) despite playing without Marlion Pickett, Ashton Hams, Ryan Cook, Brock Higgins, Cory Dell'Olio, Brandon Donaldson and Ben Saunders.

Subiaco then ensured an undefeated season by winning an 18th consecutive match beating Perth 17.10 (112) to 6.4 (40) at Leederville Oval.

The results mean that next Saturday, South Fremantle plays West Perth in the qualifying final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. The winner will play Subiaco in the second semi-final the following week at Leederville Oval, the loser to play host to the winner of the elimination final.

That elimination final will take place next Sunday at Claremont Oval between Claremont and East Perth.

Meanwhile in the reserves, Swan Districts secured a finals position by beating Claremont while South Fremantle dropped out with a surprise loss to East Fremantle.

Subiaco also finished on top in the reserves and will await in the second semi-final the winner of the qualifying final between East Perth and Claremont next Sunday at Claremont Oval.

The reserves elimination final will be between West Perth and Swan Districts on Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

And in the colts, Subiaco also claimed the minor premiership to earn the week off while next Sunday the qualifying final will be between Peel Thunder and Swan Districts at Claremont Oval.

The colts elimination final will be between East Fremantle and South Fremantle on Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

ROUND 21 WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
Peel Thunder 4.6 (30) lost to East Perth 16.18 (114)
Subiaco 17.10 (112)
defeated Perth 6.4 (40)
Swan Districts 13.8 (86) lost to Claremont 13.13 (91)
East Fremantle 5.6 (36) lost to South Fremantle 23.11 (149)

RESERVES
Peel Thunder 7.1 (43) lost to East Perth 25.14 (164)
Subiaco 11.7 (73)
defeated Perth 10.6 (66)
Swan Districts 14.7 (91) defeated Claremont 12.13 (85)
East Fremantle 11.3 (69) defeated South Fremantle 9.8 (62)

COLTS
Peel Thunder 11.15 (81)
defeated East Perth 9.8 (62)
Subiaco 17.15 (117) defeated Perth 4.4 (28)
Swan Districts 10.8 (68) defeated Claremont 5.7 (37)
East Fremantle 10.9 (69) lost to South Fremantle 13.9 (87)

Click the graphics below for specific match reports.