Round 22 McDonald's WAFL ResultsSunday, August 21, 2016 - 1:02 PM - by Chris Pike

PEEL Thunder might have lost to Subiaco on Saturday in Round 22 of the McDonald's WAFL Premiership Season but locked in a finals berth with East Fremantle and East Perth both losing setting up a cut-throat battle between the two next weekend.

The four Round 22 matches saw Subiaco overrun Peel Thunder to win 13.15 (93) to 12.4 (76) on the back of kicking six goals to nil in the final quarter at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

East Perth then came home hard against South Fremantle at Medibank Stadium, but the Bulldogs held on to win 13.8 (86) to 12.10 (82).

East Fremantle not only missed a chance to all but lock away a finals position but put in a dismal performance at ATOM Stadium against Claremont, with the Tigers romping to a 22.11 (143) to 6.8 (44) victory.

The only game of the round featuring teams out of finals contention took place at Steel Blue Oval with Perth proving too good for Swan Districts, winning 15.10 (100) to 7.8 (50).

The ramifications of the results are that quite simply the winner of next Saturday's clash between East Fremantle and East Perth at ATOM Stadium will play finals and the loser won't with Subiaco, South Fremantle, West Perth and Peel Thunder locked in the top four spots.

Starting at Bendigo Bank Stadium, Peel Thunder looked on track to beat Subiaco for the second time this season leading by 24 points at quarter-time, 13 at half-time and 26 at three quarter-time.

And despite the Lions missing Kyal Horsley, Chris Phelan, Lachlan Delahunty, Kyle Halligan and Hayden Kennedy they delivered a remarkable final quarter with 6.7 to nothing to end up winning by 17 points in what will be their final match before a two-week break ahead of the second semi-final.

Liam Ryan and Hamish Shepheard both kicked four goals apiece for Subiaco while Adam Cockie compiled 25 possessions, Leigh Kitchin 22, Greg Broughton 22, Clancy Wheeler 20, Wayde Twomey 19 and Greg Clark 19.

Blair Bell was outstanding in Peel's win over Subiaco back in Round 12 and was terrific again with five goals from 17 possessions and seven marks. Brayden Lawler also kicked two goals for the Thunder.

Matt de Boer gathered 33 possessions for Peel, Rory O'Brien 28, Anthony Morabito 21, Tendai Mzungu 18 and Clancee Pearce 18.

Then at Medibank Stadium, East Perth's finals hopes potentially went on the line up against a South Fremantle team guaranteed of second position.

The Royals did look good at half-time having taken advantage of the breeze in the second quarter to lead by eight points but the Bulldogs took over with six goals to one in the third term. East Perth did fight back to get within four points by the finish but South Fremantle just held on.

Haiden Schloithe kicked four goals for South Fremantle from eight kicks with Mason Shaw also booting three majors with Ben Saunders held to just the one goal.

Jacob Dragovich put in a tremendous performance in the midfield for the Bulldogs with 36 possessions while Shane Hockey gathered 34 disposals, Brendan Verrier 25, Marlion Pickett 24, Jacob Martinez 24, Chris Luff 23 and Blayne Wilson 22.

Steven Verrier also had 23 possessions, six tackles and a goal while limiting Jack Redden to 18 disposals, nine tackles and a goal.

Jamie Bennell kicked three goals for East Perth and Sam Powell-Pepper two with Luke Partington compiling 30 possessions, Will Maginness 25, Mitch Fraser 21, Jordan Snadden 21 and Liam Duggan 20. Ruckman Paul Johnson finished with 54 hit outs.

At ATOM Stadium, East Fremantle couldn’t have possibly performed any worse with so much at stake. The Sharks did return to the winner's list beating Perth last week to get back in the top five.

They do remain fifth despite the loss but it was a confidence-sapping one as Claremont took full advantage to end up running away with the 99-point victory on the back 14 goals to two after half-time, and eight to nil in the final term.

Claremont might not have had finals to play for but made a statement that the Tigers could have made a real impact if they had made it in 2016.

Darcy Cameron and Jack Bradshaw were unstoppable in attack for Claremont with the former finishing with 18 possessions, 12 marks and five goals, and the latter 21 touches, nine marks and eight goals.

Justin Speed also kicked three goals for the Tigers and Harrison McCracken two while Jye Bolton racked up 37 possessions, Jake Murphy 34, debutant Bailey Banfield 24, Jared Hardisty 22 and Tom Ledger 22.

Brett Peake kicked three goals for East Fremantle and Jacob Green two while Jayden Schofield gathered 29 possessions, Ryan Lester-Smith 27, Jesse Adamini 24, Dion Anthony 23 and James Harrold 22.

Lastly at Steel Blue Oval, Perth and Swan Districts had little to play for aside from pride and attempting to give some belief to take into pre-season that they can bounce back to being finals contenders in 2017.

In the end, the Demons dominated Swans from the outset for the third time this season to end up winning by 50 points setting up the victory with 10 goals to one in the first half.

Perth's midfield completely dominated in remarkable fashion with Clint Jones leading the way with another 47 possessions and 11 marks. Aidan Tropiano also racked up 41 disposals, Liam McKenna 30, Michael Sinclair 26, Matthew Taylor 24, Ashley Boyes 23 and Julian Jacobs 23.

Spencer White kicked five goals for the Demons from seven kicks with Marshall Jones adding three majors and Dene White two.

Justin Simpson kicked two goals for Swan Districts while Jesse Turner racked up 34 possessions, Adam Faulkner 26, Rudy Riddoch 24, Matthew Rogers 22, Brandon Erceg 21, Laurence Grescos 20 and Jackson Slater 20.

ROUND 22 McDONALD'S WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
Peel Thunder 12.4 (76) lost to Subiaco 13.15 (93)
East Perth 12.10 (82) lost to South Fremantle 13.8 (86)
East Fremantle 6.8 (44) lost to Claremont 22.11 (143)
Swan Districts 7.8 (50) lost to Perth 15.10 (100)

RESERVES
Peel Thunder 14.8 (92) defeated Subiaco 12.13 (85)
East Perth 20.9 (129) defeated South Fremantle 8.2 (50)
East Fremantle 13.13 (91) defeated Claremont 5.2 (32)
Swan Districts 9.15 (69) defeated Perth 7.11 (53)

COLTS
Peel Thunder 16.5 (101) defeated Subiaco 11.5 (71)
East Perth 3.9 (27) lost to South Fremantle 13.6 (84)
East Fremantle 7.7 (49) defeated Claremont 5.4 (34)
Swan Districts 6.3 (39) defeated Perth 2.15 (27)