Round 23 McDonald's WAFL Wrap UpTuesday, August 30, 2016 - 4:09 PM - by Chris Pike

EAST Perth proved too good for East Fremantle in the last round of the 2016 McDonald's WAFL Premiership Season to secure a finals berth while Claremont, Perth and Swan Districts were unable to upset finals bound teams.

All the focus was on ATOM Stadium on Saturday as East Fremantle took on East Perth with fifth position and a finals appearance on the line, and it was the Royals who prevailed 13.9 (87) to 6.3 (39).

The other three games featured teams locked into finals positions against the bottom three on the ladder.

That saw South Fremantle beat Perth 14.14 (98) to 7.4 (46) at Lathlain Park, Peel Thunder defeat Claremont 10.10 (70) to 6.9 (45) at the Claremont Showground and West Perth down Swan Districts 13.18 (96) to 11.10 (76) at HBF Arena.

The results leave Subiaco finishing on top of the ladder with a 16-4 record ahead of South Fremantle (15-5), West Perth (13-7), Peel Thunder (11-9) and East Perth (10-10).

Subiaco now has the bye in the first week of the finals as South Fremantle plays West Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in a qualifying final on Saturday and Peel Thunder takes on East Perth at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Sunday in an elimination final.

East Fremantle finishes in sixth position at 9-11 ahead of Claremont (7-13), Perth (7-13) and Swan Districts (2-18).

Click here for the summary of Round 23 of the WAFL 

TEAM OF THE WEEK (club, times named)
BACK: Laurence Grescos (SD, 2), Eric Mackenzie (EP, 4), Ethan Hughes (PT, 4)
HALF-BACK: Steven Browne (WP, 2), Blayne Wilson (SF, 5), Anthony Morabito (PT, 3)
CENTRE: Rohan Kerr (WP, 6), Steven Verrier (SF, 4), Luke Partington (EP, 3)
HALF-FORWARD: Corey Chalmers (WP, 1), Mason Shaw (SF, 4), Josh Deluca (PT, 2)
FORWARD: Malcolm Karpany (EP, 3), Ben Saunders (SF, 5), Justin Simpson (SD, 3)
RUCK: Zac Clarke (PT, 2), Tendai Mzungu (PT, 3), Jay van Berlo (WP, 4)
INTERCHANGE: Brendan Verrier (SF, 3), Rory O'Brien (PT, 6), Jesse Turner (SD, 3), Jye Bolton (C, 10)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK – JUSTIN SIMPSON
Swan Districts veteran Justin Simpson is one of the most popular, consistent and respected players in the WAFL and on Saturday he sent a reminder of how dangerous he can be as a forward.

The majority of Simpson's 165 WAFL games with Swan Districts have seen him play a key role down back where he is outstanding at intercepting opposition attacks while also setting up play going back the other way for the black-and-whites.

Along the way he has played for WA and brought up his life membership at Swans, but his career began as a forward and that's where he played in the 2010 premiership after kicking five goals in the preliminary final win over East Perth.

He played at full-forward again on Saturday and kicked the first four goals of the game against West Perth and finished with five for the afternoon to show that coach Greg Harding could very well use him up forward more often in 2017.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
Everything was on the line as East Fremantle and East Perth did battle at ATOM Stadium with the winner to qualify for the finals and the loser to miss out altogether.

But the Royals were in control of the contest from the outset to end up winning by 48 points to claim fifth position and set up an elimination final against Peel Thunder.

East Perth proved too strong all over the field and nowhere was that more evident than in the back-line.

Eric Mackenzie was outstanding with 20 possessions and nine marks while Mitch Brown had 19 disposals and four marks, and Tom Gorter 17 touches and seven marks but just as important was that the trio gave East Fremantle's forwards no chance.

Mitch Fraser also provided plenty of drive out of defence for the Royals with 20 possessions with Tom Cole also finishing with 19 disposals and a goal.

Paul Johnson dominated the ruck for East Perth with 56 hit outs which helped out his midfielders that saw Luke Partington rack up 30 possessions, Kurt Mutimer 25, Jack Redden 23, Will Maginness 18 and Patrick McGinnity 18.

Jackson Nelson also gathered 24 possessions for East Perth while up forward, Sam Powell-Pepper and Craig Wulff kicked two goals apiece as did Malcolm Karpany along with 23 possessions and seven marks.

It was a tough way to finish a disappointing second half of the season for East Fremantle but once again Liam Anthony did all he could in the midfield racking up 34 possessions, five tackles, five marks and five inside-50 entries.

Cameron Eardley also worked hard for 21 possessions, eight tackles and two goals but without George Hampson, Jamie McNamara and Brock O'Brien, and other key players still struggling form they just didn’t receive enough help.

Ryan Lester-Smith had another 24 possessions and seven marks in defence while Jayden Schofield finished with 24 disposals and nine marks, and Dylan Winton 22 touches and eight tackles.

Eardley was East Fremantle's only multiple goal scorers as Brett Peake, Jack Perham, James Bristow and Matthew Watson combined for three goals between the four main forward options.

Jesse Adamini continued to impress as a young player with 18 possessions and eight tackles while James Harrold finished with 17 disposals.

Peel Thunder had already locked in a finals position coming into its game against Claremont on Saturday but the Thunder delivered a strong performance to win by 35 points to gear up for a second finals campaign.

Peel had plenty of strong performers through the middle on the back of a strong game from Zac Clarke in the ruck who finished with 19 possessions, six marks and 25 hit outs.

Rory O'Brien also racked up 34 disposals for the Thunder, Tendai Mzungu 34, Josh Deluca 28, Nick Suban 25 and Andrew Haydon 19.

Peel's back-line stood up well and also gave good drive led by 24 possessions and eight marks by Ethan Hughes and 21 disposals and seven marks by Anthony Morabito.

Then up forward, Jack Hannath, Tanner Smith, Brayden Lawler and captain Gerald Ugle all kicked two goals each for Peel. But Smith's day ended early with a ruptured hamstring tendon.

Claremont's forward-line was on fire a week earlier against East Fremantle with Darcy Cameron and Jack Bradshaw combining for 13 goals, but they were both scoreless against Peel on Saturday. Justin Speed kicked two of the Tigers' six goals for the game.

Jye Bolton finished his outstanding first season with Claremont with another strong performance finishing with 33 possessions, eight inside-50 entries, six marks and four tackles.

Tom Ledger also gathered 31 disposals for the Tigers, Jared Hardisty 30, Jake Murphy 23 and Ryan Lim 21.

West Perth came into its clash with Swan Districts without Tyler Keitel, Shane Nelson, Steve Potente and Dean Munns who should all return for the qualifying final against South Fremantle on Saturday meaning a host of Falcons players were playing for their finals position.

Corey Chalmers grabbed his chance in the midfield finishing with 28 possessions, seven tackles and five inside-50 entries.

Rohan Kerr also racked up 31 disposals, Aaron Black 30, captain Jay van Berlo 29 and ruckman Chris Keunen 16 to go with 24 hit outs.

Michael Lourey kicked three goals for West Perth from 10 kicks and eight marks while Andrew Strijk booted two goals.

West Perth's defence had its hands full particularly with Justin Simpson who kicked five goals but Blake Wilhelm did finish with 21 possessions and Steven Browne 21 to go with five tackles, five inside-50 entries and a goal.

Justin Simpson played out of the goal square up forward for Swan Districts and kicked four goals in the opening 20 minutes and five majors for the match. Taryce Stewart also kicked two goals both in quick time early in the final quarter.

Adam Faulkner finished his strong season racking up 35 possessions for Swans with Jesse Turner finishing with 31 disposals, Matt Riggio 20, Aidan Clarke 18 and debutant Jacob Ness 18.

The back-line for Swans was good led by Laurence Grescos who held Max Duffy to just six kicks and one goal. Jacob Coniglio also had 22 disposals down back often playing undersized on his opponents.

South Fremantle came into its clash with Perth still missing Adam Guglielmana and Tim Kelly, and without Shane Hockey, Brock Higgins and Josh Pullman but had plenty of players putting their hands up to secure their place for the finals.

One player who has no concerns over his position was full-forward Ben Saunders who needed three goals to tie Subiaco's Hamish Shepheard for the Bernie Naylor Medal for four to win it outright.

Saunders kicked four goals in the end to give him 52 for the season to claim a third leading goal kicking award in his five seasons with South Fremantle.

Mason Shaw also kicked three goals to give him 46 for the season for the Bulldogs with Ashton Hams and Tyson Pickett adding two apiece.

Dylan Main found himself in the reserves for a significant chunk of the season but since returning to the league side and being used as an inside midfielder he has been in tremendous form, and continued that on Saturday with another 31 possessions, seven inside 50s and six marks.

Steven Verrier also had another 30 disposals, nine marks, six inside-50 entries and a goal, Brendan Verrier 30 touches and Hams 26, Ryan Cook 21, Shaun Bewick 20 and Jacob Dragovich 19.

Blayne Wilson celebrated his 100th WAFL match by playing a tremendous game down back for South Fremantle with 27 possessions and nine marks while Marlion Pickett also had 20 disposals, seven marks, six tackles and five inside 50s.

Clint Jones had a remarkable season back in the WAFL following his AFL career with St Kilda and he finished off against his original club with another strong performance on Saturday with 31 possessions, seven marks and five inside-50 entries.

Reigning Sandover Medallist Aidan Tropiano had 26 disposals and nine tackles while Liam McKenna finished with 23 touches, Julian Jacobs 22, Brett Wolfenden 21 and Michael Sinclair 18.

Ruckman Angus Graham battled hard for 38 hit outs while Spencer White kicked two goals.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
East Perth secured the reserves minor premiership beating East Fremantle 8.14 (62) to 6.3 (39) at ATOM Stadium on Saturday.

Tom Curtin kicked three goals and Phil Roberts two for East Perth while 104-game league veteran and fairest and best winner Steven Payne continued to show he deserves a recall with 37 possessions, six marks, four tackles and a goal.

Corey Adamson also had 27 disposals for the Royals, Tom Omodei 23, Will Young 22 and Asher Samelko 18 while Scott Jones had 34 hit outs in the ruck.

Jack Schleicher finished with 32 possessions for the Sharks while Matthew Bannister gathered 27 touches, Aaron Holmes 27, Tyler Chalwell 23 and Miles Franklin 20.

East Perth finished on top of the reserves ladder with a 16-4 record to earn the week off ahead of a home second semi-final against either Claremont or South Fremantle next Sunday at Medibank Stadium.

East Fremantle also qualified for the finals in fourth position and will face Subiaco this Sunday in an elimination final at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

Claremont suffered a surprising reserves defeat on Saturday with the bottom placed Peel Thunder winning 12.5 (77) to 9.11 (65) at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

In the end it didn’t change anything in the final finishing positions with Peel remaining last with three wins and a draw while Claremont is second with a 15-5 record. The Tigers take on South Fremantle in a qualifying final this Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Brett Milward put his hand up for a call up this Sunday for Peel's league side with four goals while Keegan Power gathered 28 possessions, Brad Walsh 28, Corey Morris 25, Chris Wrigley 19, Brad McGowan 18, Haydn Matthews 18 and Kieran May 18.

Chris Oakley kicked four goals for Claremont and Mason Whitehead two with Tom Shanahan gathering 34 possessions, Jack Beeck 27, Toby Plant 22, Ian Rowe 21 and John Williams 18.

Swan Districts' reserves ended its 2016 season on a winning note with a 13.9 (87) to 11.10 (76) victory over West Perth at HBF Arena.

Ricky Cary kicked five goals for Swan Districts and Matthew Jukes three.

Albert Dean racked up 33 possessions, Ethan Maguire 33, Freddie Clutterbuck 30, Ben Whitsed 24, Logan Hughes 20, Jacob Burnham 19 and Sachin Barr 18.

Keegan Knott finished his first season at West Perth with three goals from 15 possessions while Ben McGillivray kicked two majors as well.

Scott Nelson amassed 30 possessions and seven tackles for the Falcons with Mitch Peirce collecting 26 disposals, Kris Shannon 25, Tyson Moulton 24 and Seva Mozhaev 10 to go with 40 hit outs in the ruck.

West Perth's reserves end the 2016 season in eighth position with a 5-15 record.

Swan Districts, meanwhile, just missed out on the finals in sixth position with a 9-11 record.

Perth's reserves finished its season on a high beating the finals bound South Fremantle 14.10 (94) to 10.10 (70) at Lathlain Park on Saturday.

Kristian Cary kicked five goals for Perth, Jarrad Irons three and Sam Garstone two.

Rowan Brookes racked up 31 possessions, Jacob Payne 26, Fraser Millar 24, Matt Thompson 24, Kurtis Chester 23, Lachlan Dennis 21 and Kodie Fleay 21. Christian Eyres dominated the ruck with 16 disposals and 49 hit outs for the Demons.

Tim Stewart, Jordan Matera and Anthony Nodari all kicked two goals each for South Fremantle.

Stewart also picked up 26 possessions for the Bulldogs, Jake Florenca 26, Brayden Andrews 22, Billy Collier 21, Josh Collard 18 and Noah Strom 18 in the ruck to go with 14 hit outs and six marks.

South Fremantle's reserves still finish the season in third position on the ladder with the reigning premiers ending up with 12 wins, seven losses and a draw ahead of a qualifying final this Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval against Claremont.

Perth finishes the reserves season in seventh position with six wins, 12 losses and two draws.

REDiMED COLTS RISING STARS
While East Fremantle and East Perth did battle for a finals finish in the league contest on Saturday at ATOM Stadium, remarkably it was the same case in the colts with the Royals coming into the match half a game behind the fifth placed Sharks.

That meant that whoever won would finish fifth and take part in the finals and the loser would miss out. And just like the league contest later in the day, East Perth prevailed beating East Fremantle 8.3 (51) to 5.12 (42).

The Royals will now play Swan Districts in an elimination final this Sunday at Bendigo Bank Stadium while East Fremantle finishes sixth with 10 wins, nine losses and a draw.

Ethan Christofis kicked two goals for East Perth while Mitch Dobson compiled 24 possessions, Christian Ameduri 20, Matthew Young 20, Jaxon Cahill 17 and Connor De Campo 17.

Dwayne Nevill and Luke Strnadica kicked two goals each for East Fremantle with Ben Harding gathering 26 possessions, Corey Holmes 21, Peter Delaney 20 and Cameron Zurhaar 20.

Claremont's colts beat Peel Thunder 11.11 (77) to 7.13 (55) at the Claremont Showground with the Tigers securing second position and a 15-5 record ahead of a qualifying final with South Fremantle this Saturday.

Peel's colts finish the season with a 6-13 record with one draw in seventh spot.

James Egan kicked three goals for Claremont with Callan England and Dylan Wallam booting two apiece.

Jake Waterman returned back to the colts after a taste of league football and racked up 32 possessions for the Tigers with Seb Bentley also racking up 32 disposals, Jack Blaauw 24, Jake Patmore 21, Oliver Eastland 21, Bailey Bennett 21 and Tyson England 20.

Michael Stevens and Brandon Penny kicked two goals apiece for Peel with Michael Humble racking up 30 possessions, Damon Cramer 22, Penny 21, Stevens 21 and Jacob Perry 20.

Swan Districts colts recorded a dominant victory at HBF Arena on Saturday beating West Perth 13.7 (85) to 2.6 (18).

Lochie Huntley kicked four goals for Swan Districts, William Reidy two, Brad Fullgrabe two and Tim Yorkshire two.

Griffin Logue dominated for Swans with 33 possessions while Yorkshire gathered 27 disposals, Tobe Watson 24, Huntley 20, Brendan O'Kane 19, Mitchell Price 17 and Greg Humphries 17.

West Perth's two lone goals were kicked by Joel Bennett and Brayden Thompson.

Josh Rotham racked up 31 possessions for the Falcons with Bailey Chalmers finishing with 21 disposals, Joel Horgan 20, Josh Romanelli 19, Bennett 19 and Tyrese Miller 18.

Swan Districts colts finish the season in fourth position to now take on East Perth in an elimination final this Sunday at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

West Perth's colts end the season with two wins in eighth position.

Perth's colts made a good start at Lathlain Park securing top opposition with South Fremantle not managing a goal until the last quarter, with the Demons winning 5.14 (44) to 1.8 (14).

Cody Ninyette dropped back to the colts after a taste of league football and had 22 possessions and two goals for the Demons with David Slater also kicking two goals.

Tom Gooch also gathered 22 possessions, Arnold Punch 21, Chris Leonard 19, Joseph Ugle 18 and Anton Scotney 16.

South Fremantle's lone goal scorer in the final quarter was Jacob Millar while Dylan Brown collected 30 possessions, Kyle Russell 24, Daniel Burke 18 and Brodee Knight 17.

As a result, Perth finishes in top spot of the colts with a 16-4 record to earn the week off in the first week of the finals.

South Fremantle finishes third at 15-5 but will host Saturday's qualifying final against the second placed Claremont at Fremantle Community Bank Oval