The Run Home: How are the 2019 WAFL Finals shaping up?Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - 9:50 AM

It's 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 ... but who's REALLY leading the race for finals?

What EVERY finals contender needs to do to make the top-five.

1.    Subiaco 
60 points (15 wins, 1 loss), 180.89 percentage 

Subiaco will enter the WAFL Finals Series in the perfect position to go back-to-back in season 2019. The Lions have already sewed up the Minor Premiership and will be rewarded with a week off to begin the finals. A scond semi-final victory over either South Fremantle or Claremont sends Subiaco to Optus Stadium for the big dance. West Perth and East Perth shouldn’t pose too many issues for the Premiers, seeing them finish with one loss for the season as a real possibility. 

The run home:

R19: West Perth @ Leederville Oval
R20: East Perth @ Leederville Oval

2.    South Fremantle 
44 points (11 wins, 5 loss), 128.58 percentage 

South Fremantle’s next fortnight will determine their chances of breaking a 10-year Premiership drought with a pair of bumper fixtures against top four teams. Victory over Claremont and West Perth will see the Bulldogs finish second and become the major threat to Subiaco. Lose one of these games, and their grip on second spot is significantly loosened. A mini-final awaits this weekend at Fremantle Community Bank Oval against the Tigers.

The run home:

R19: Claremont @ Fremantle Community Bank Oval
R20: West Perth @ Joondalup Arena 

3.    Claremont 
44 points (11 wins, 5 loss), 127.71 percentage 

Only 0.8 percent separates Claremont and second spot currently, meaning this weekend is a must-win for the Tigers. A victory over South Fremantle away from home would almost guarantee the Qualifying Final at Claremont Oval. The yellow and blue have a looked a likely contender all year and will back their chances over a struggling Swans outfit to close the season in Round 20. 

The run home:

R19: South Fremantle @ Fremantle Community Bank Oval
R20: Swan Districts @ Claremont Oval 

4.    West Perth
36 points (9 wins, 7 loss), 103.12 percentage 

A victory over the in-form Tigers has nearly gifted the Falcons another finals berth, however the next fortnight isn’t so straight forward. Games against top-two teams Subiaco and South Fremantle will provide a stern test, particularly with the Eagles still believing they can play a part in September. A win over either team guarantees finals, with two losses leaving it up to percentage for the 2018 runners-up.  

The run home:

R19: Subiaco @ Leederville Oval
R20: South Fremantle @ Joondalup Arena 

5.    Perth
32 points (8 wins, 8 loss), 89.84 percentage 

Could this finally be the week that Perth seals a finals berth for the first time in 22 years? One thing is for sure, this is going down to the wire. A loss against the Eagles has seen the Demons slip to fifth, but finals is still in their hands. Two wins against East Fremantle and Peel Thunder guarantees the side a top-five position, but a loss opens the door for the Eagles on percentage. If the Eagles win their final two fixtures, and Perth lose, they’re odds on to leapfrog Perth into fifth spot. A trip to David Grays Arena during the final round  of the season could be the difference. 

The run home:

R19: East Fremantle @ Mineral Resources Park
R20: Peel Thunder @ David Grays Arena 

 
6.    West Coast
28 points (7 wins, 9 loss), 95.72 percentage 

The new boys of the WAFL competition could yet have an impact in September, relying on Perth to drop more games if they are chance to clinch fifth spot. The Eagles are a game behind the Demons, but their percentage is well advanced on Perth. Two winnable games to close the season will heap pressure on teams above them, the season isn’t over yet for the Eagles. 

The run home:

R19: East Perth @ Leederville Oval
R20: East Fremantle @ Mineral Resources Park 

7.    Peel Thunder
24 points (6 wins, 10 loss), 97.31 percentage 

If we have learned anything over the past few years about Peel, it’s don’t rule them out. The Thunder sit two games outside the five, but like West Coast, percentage keeps them well in the conversation towards September. Win both games against Swan Districts and Perth, while hoping for a stumble from West Coast, and finals may not be out of the equation. Plenty of results need to go the way of the Thunder, but it is far from impossible with two rounds to go.  

The run home:

R19: Swan Districts @ Steel Blue Oval
R20: Perth @ David Grays Arena