WAFL Round 22 match reportsSunday, August 20, 2017 - 9:17 AM - by Chris Pike

ROUND 22 of the 2017 WAFL season could hardly have produced any more fascinating results setting up an exciting last round with Swan Districts, East Perth, West Perth and Claremont all fighting over the last two finals places.

It was an incredible day of WAFL football in the penultimate round of the season with Claremont keeping its season alive and Claremont doing the same while Peel Thunder guaranteed third spot and Perth pulled perhaps the upset of the season to get off the bottom of the ladder.

East Fremantle was on target for a significant upset as well before reigning premiers Peel Thunder kicked seven goals to nil in the final quarter to win 10.8 (68) to 8.7 (55) at East Fremantle Oval. 

The win means that Peel is guaranteed of finishing in third position and of playing South Fremantle in the qualifying final in the opening week of the finals at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. The Sharks, meanwhile, now sit a game clear on the bottom of the ladder with the defeat.

Perth then delivered a stunning finish having the last eight scoring shots against East Perth and kicking three goals to stun the Royals and end their season on a tremendous high, winning 14.14 (98) to 13.15 (93).

Not only was it the Demons' third win of 2017 but also moves them from the bottom of the ladder.

It could have even bigger ramifications for East Perth who missed the chance to lock away a finals position. The Royals now must beat Subiaco on Saturday or face the risk of missing finals action for the first time since 2011.

Swan Districts also missed the chance to guarantee its place in the finals in 2017 with Claremont proving too strong at Steel Blue Oval, winning 13.17 (95) to 11.5 (71).

Remarkably with the way the other results went, Claremont remains in the finals race despite a 8-11 record and having only won two of its previous seven games. The Tigers need to beat West Perth at home this Saturday and then if East Perth loses to Subiaco, they will likely make the top five.

Subiaco cruised to its 18th straight victory, meanwhile, at Leederville Oval with a convincing 19.14 (128) to 6.10 (46) victory over West Perth. The Falcons stayed competitive for most of the afternoon until the Lions kicked the last eight goals for the 82-point victory.

West Perth still remain a finals chance despite the loss and a win against Claremont at Claremont Oval on Saturday will likely be enough if both or either East Perth and Swan Districts lose at the same time.

ROUND 20 WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
Swan Districts 11.5 (71) lost to Claremont 13.17 (95)
East Fremantle 8.7 (55) lost to Peel Thunder 10.8 (68)
Perth 14.14 (98) defeated East Perth 13.15 (93)
Subiaco 19.14 (128) defeated West Perth 6.10 (46)

RESERVES
Swan Districts 8.10 (58) lost to Claremont 10.11 (71)
East Fremantle 14.10 (94) defeated Peel Thunder 7.9 (51)
Perth 10.14 (74) defeated East Perth 4.4 (28)
Subiaco 20.9 (129) defeated West Perth 5.10 (40)

REDiMED COLTS
Swan Districts 3.4 (22) lost to Claremont 5.8 (38)
East Fremantle 8.11 (59) defeated Peel Thunder 8.5 (53)
Perth 8.3 (51) lost to East Perth 8.18 (66)
Subiaco 8.10 (58) lost to West Perth 12.9 (81)

Click the match graphics below for in-depth game reviews.