EAST Perth took another significant and impressive step towards playing finals with a big Round 21 WAFL win against Swan Districts while West Perth stayed alive but Claremont fell out of contention with South Fremantle claiming an eighth straight victory.
The third last round of the WAFL season was always going to be significant in the race towards the finals in 2017 and in the end Peel Thunder locked away its spot, East Perth just about secured theirs and West Perth stayed in touch, but Claremont can no longer make it with two weeks remaining.
All four Round 21 matches took place on Saturday afternoon with East Perth continuing its impressive form winning a third straight match beating Swan Districts 17.8 (110) to 8.8 (56) at Leederville Oval.
Claremont then needed to put an end to South Fremantle's winning run to remain any hope of playing finals in 2017, but the Bulldogs proved too strong claiming the 14.9 (93) to 8.13 (61) win at Claremont Oval.
South Fremantle ruckman Brock Higgins celebrated his 100th WAFL appearance with the win on the same day Claremont's Ryan Neates also reached the century milestone.
West Perth also needed to bounce back and beat East Fremantle to remain a finals chance in 2017, and the Falcons managed to do so in end downing the Sharks 8.15 (63) to 7.8 (50) at HBF Arena.
Peel Thunder then guaranteed its finals position beating Perth 11.10 (76) to 8.7 (55) at Bendigo Bank Stadium.
ROUND 21 McDONALD'S WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
East Perth 17.8 (110) defeated Swan Districts 8.8 (56)
Claremont 8.13 (61) lost to South Fremantle 14.9 (93)
West Perth 8.15 (63) defeated East Fremantle 7.8 (50)
Peel Thunder 11.10 (76) defeated Perth 8.7 (55)
RESERVES
East Perth 8.8 (56) lost to Swan Districts 16.8 (104)
Claremont 8.6 (54) defeated South Fremantle 7.11 (53)
West Perth 10.6 (66) defeated East Fremantle 9.10 (64)
Peel Thunder 16.8 (104) defeated Perth 13.12 (90)
COLTS
East Perth 8.6 (54) lost to Swan Districts 10.11 (71)
Claremont 4.10 (34) lost to South Fremantle 5.7 (37)
West Perth 4.6 (30) lost to East Fremantle 11.13 (79)
Peel Thunder 9.9 (63) lost to Perth 12.9 (81)
Click the match graphics below for in-depth game reviews.