WAFL Semi Finals RecapSunday, September 8, 2024 - 7:10 PM - by Chris Pike

EAST Perth is the first team into the 2024 WAFL Grand Final with a strong second semi-final win against Swan Districts while Blair Bell was the hero as Peel Thunder stayed alive with a one-point victory against Claremont.

The second week of the finals series got underway on Saturday afternoon at Sullivan Logistics Stadium with East Perth and Swan Districts locking horns in the second semi-final with a spot in the Grand Final up for grabs.

East Perth were fresh from a week off having finished as minor premiers while Swan Districts opened the finals beating Peel, but came into the match up with the Royals without key trio Aidan Clarke, Jesse Turner and Tom Edwards.

East Perth were on top virtually all afternoon in a strong performance to end up winning 11.6 (72) to 6.8 (44) to now earn another week off and advance to a first Grand Final since 2014 with the Royals attempting to win a first premiership since 2002.

Scott Jones dominated in the ruck for East Perth with a remarkable 81 hit outs to go with 21 possessions and eight tackles.

Tom Graham also kicked three goals up forward for East Perth with Zac Hill adding two as did captain Christian Ameduri while Mitch Crowden racked up 32 possessions, Angus Schumacher 26 and Stan Wright 25.

Leigh Kohlmann kicked three goals for Swans with Jye Chalcraft finishing with 29 disposals, Nik Rokahr 28, Max Chipper 22, Josh Cipro 22 and games record holder Tony Notte 20.

That meant Swan Districts will now host a preliminary final at Steel Blue Oval next Sunday with their opponent to be decided at Lane Group Stadium in the first semi-final between Peel Thunder and Claremont.

The Tigers were on top most of the afternoon but just couldn’t put the score on the board although the first goal of the last quarter thanks to Zac Mainwaring at the six-minute mark did make the margin 17 points.

Peel had only kicked four goals the entire game up to that point, but the Thunder kept on peppering over the final 20 minutes and two goals to Matt Taberner after dislocating his thumb had the home team within striking distance.

Eventually it was dual premiership winning 135-game veteran Blair Bell who swooped on a loose ball, ran inside-50 and drilled home the 144th goal of his career just seconds before the siren for Peel to win 7.7 (49) to 6.12 (48).

Taberner finished with three goals for the Thunder and Neil Erasmus 26 disposals, Nathan O'Driscoll 25, Ethan Hughes 23, Michael Sellwood 19 and Bell 19.

It was a heartbreaking way for Claremont's season to end with Alec Waterman kicking two goals while Bailey Rogers amassed 24 possessions, Jye Bolton 20, Ben Elliott 15, Callan England 15 and ruckman Oliver Eastland 14 to go with 40 hit outs and 11 tackles.

WAFL FINALS SERIES – SEMI FINALS

SECOND SEMI-FINAL: EAST PERTH 11.6 (72) defeated SWAN DISTRICTS 6.8 (44)

FIRST SEMI-FINAL: PEEL THUNDER 7.7 (49) defeated CLAREMONT 6.12 (48)