Round 17 Colts WrapMonday, August 5, 2019 - 1:43 PM - by Chris Pike

NO matter how slim their hopes are, reigning premiers Subiaco stayed somewhat alive in the race for the WAFL Colts finals with a win over Perth in Round 17 and a West Perth loss to East Fremantle while there were also victories for Peel Thunder and East Perth.

All four matches in Round 17 of the Colts competition took place on Saturday morning and despite East Fremantle's win, they are out of the finals race meaning the fight is on now between six clubs to take part in the finals action in 2019.

Round 17 in the Colts got underway on Saturday morning at Mandurah's David Grays Arena with Peel Thunder going another step towards winning the minor premiership by defeating Claremont 12.4 (76) to 9.6 (60).

East Perth then moved a game clear in second position on the Colts ladder as well by defeating the bottom placed South Fremantle 10.12 (72) to 6.1 (37) at Leederville Oval.

West Perth then remained three games and percentage clear in fifth position despite a loss to East Fremantle. Even though the Sharks are sixth, they are three games behind with only two matches to play despite Saturday's 11.10 (76) to 9.5 (59) victory at Joondalup's HBF Arena.

Subiaco is the reigning premiers in the Colts and while they are a significant percentage plus three games out of the finals, they mathematically stayed in the finals hunt with three matches remaining after beating Perth 15.8 (98) to 6.4 (40) at Lathlain's Mineral Resources Park.

Following 17 rounds of the Colts season, Peel Thunder have all but locked around the minor premiership with an 11-2 record and by far the best percentage. With three games to go, they'd have to lose all three to not finish on top.

East Perth (9-5) is now a game clear in second position ahead of Claremont (8-5), Swan Districts (8-5) and West Perth (8-5). But the Royals have a worse percentage than the Tigers, Swans and Falcons while having also played one extra game.

East Fremantle (5-9) is sixth but can't reach the finals while Subiaco (5-8) technically could with three big wins to close the season and if one of Claremont, Swan Districts or West Perth suffer three heavy defeats in the run home.

Perth (4-10) and South Fremantle (2-11) then round up the Colts ladder with three rounds remaining.

ROUND 17 SIMPLY ENERGY COLTS

PEEL THUNDER 12.4 (76) defeated CLAREMONT 9.6 (60)

EAST PERTH 10.12 (72) defeated SOUTH FREMANTLE 6.1 (37)

WEST PERTH 9.5 (59) lost to EAST FREMANTLE 11.10 (76)

PERTH 6.4 (40) lost to SUBIACO 15.8 (98)