Round 23 McDonald's WAFL ResultsSaturday, August 29, 2015 - 7:44 PM - by Chris Pike

AS fate would have it, the only game in the last WAFL round on Saturday to impact finals positions turned out to be the heart stopper and it was Claremont who kicked the last four goals against West Perth to storm home to win and book a place in the finals.

That shattered the hopes of Swan Districts who had beaten Claremont last week to move into fifth position, and the black-and-whites would have played finals if West Perth beat the Tigers again at HBF Arena on Saturday.

West Perth had won all nine of its games at home so far this season and led Claremont by 24 points at the nine-minute mark of the last quarter, but the Tigers then booted the last four goals of the contest to win 9.15 (69) to 10.7 (67).

Saturday's other three final round matches saw Peel Thunder beat South Fremantle 16.12 (108) to 9.15 (69) at Bendigo Bank Stadium, Subiaco down East Perth 9.13 (67) to 9.9 (63) at Medibank Stadium and East Fremantle defeat Perth 15.15 (105) to 7.10 (52) at ATOM Stadium.

The results mean that Subiaco finishes four games clear on top to earn the bye in the first week of the finals with West Perth finishing second and Peel Thunder third to set up a qualifying clash with those two at HBF Arena next Sunday.

East Perth finishes in fourth position and Claremont fifth with those two to now play one another in an elimination final next Sunday at Medibank Stadium.

It was goal for goal for much of the afternoon at HBF Arena between West Perth and Claremont in tough conditions.

Claremont had its chances in the first quarter, but West Perth led by four points at the first change and then it was the Tigers turn for two goals to one in the second term to see the visitors lead by a point at the long break.

West Perth took control of the match for the first time in the third quarter and kicked four straight goals through Michael Lourey, Aidan Lynch, Ray Bartholomew and Matt Johnson that saw the Falcons' lead grow out to 20 points.

A late goal to 150-game milestone man Ian Richardson just before three quarter-time had the Tigers back within 13 points, but West Perth again looked in control nine minutes into the last quarter with a 24-point lead following goals to Matt Fowler and Steve Potente.

However, Claremont wasn’t willing to say goodbye to 2015 yet and kicked the last four goals of the game courtesy of Tom Ledger, Kepler Bradley with two in three minutes and then captain Jake Murphy to take the lead and hold on for a two-point victory that books in a finals berth.

Murphy had likely his best game of the season for Claremont just at the right time not only with two goals but also 27 possessions and eight tackles. Bradley was other multiple goal kicker for the Tigers with two.

Corey Yeo finished with 29 possessions for the Tigers, Tom Ledger 26, Ryan Lim 25, Richardson 23, Tom Swift 21 and Matthew Davies 20.

Aidan Lynch and Michael Lourey kicked two goals each for West Perth with Aaron Black racking up 36 possessions, Trent Manzone 33, Ray Bartholomew 24, Blake Wilhelm 24, Steven Browne 22, Drew Rohde 21 and Potente 21.

Meanwhile at Bendigo Bank Stadium, Peel Thunder appeared to always have enough in reserve against South Fremantle and took control of the contest during the second quarter with three goals in the opening 10 minutes.

Peel led by 13 points at half-time and then by as much as 32 points during the third term, and 39 by the final siren as it became the Leroy Jetta and Gerald Ugle show in the fourth quarter as the Thunder kicked five goals to two.

Leroy Jetta had a day out for Peel against the team he began his WAFL career with prior to being drafted to Essendon, and kicked a career-best seven goals while fellow 2015 recruit Gerald Ugle kicked three majors and Tom Vandeleur two.

Captain Brendon Jones racked up 35 possessions for Peel as he now gears up to play his 219th WAFL game next Sunday in what will be his first ever final.

Jacob Ballard also picked up 29 disposals for the Thunder, Brady Grey 24, Max Duffy 20 and Hayden Crozier 18. Jack Hannath worked hard in the ruck with 16 touches, 34 hit outs and a goal.

Marlion Pickett moved forward for South Fremantle and kicked three goals to go with his 24 possessions while Haiden Schloithe also kicked two goals to go with his 26 disposals.

Kyle and Ashton Hams both racked up 32 possessions apiece for South Fremantle with Jarrod Parry ending up with 24 disposals and debutant Tim Stewart 23. Craig White worked hard both forward and back in his 192nd and last WAFL appearance for South Fremantle.

Subiaco has long had the minor premiership sewn up and East Perth was always destined to finish fourth unless Peel was upset by South Fremantle, but the Medibank Stadium co-tenants still played out a thriller.

There was just the one goal in the first quarter and that went to East Perth, but the Royals had a terrific second term with five goals to two to open up an 18-point advantage at the main break.

Subiaco fought back hard in the third term, though, with four goals to one to hold a two-point advantage going into the last term, and then in a thrilling finish the Lions held on for the four-point win.

Matt Boland, Shane Yarran and Kyle Halligan kicked two goals each for Subiaco with Kyal Horsley gathering 23 possessions, Sam Menegola 23, Leigh Kitchin 20, Wayde Twomey 20 and Craig Hoskins 18.

Malcolm Karpany kicked two goals for East Perth with Garry Moss collecting 31 possessions, Brendan Lee 27, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls 23, Scott Selwood 21, Kane Lucas 21 and Paul Johnson 20 to go with nine marks and 41 hit outs in the ruck.

East Fremantle and Perth were just fighting for pride at ATOM Stadium but it was the Sharks who took control early and dominated the contest leading by 12 points at quarter-time, 32 at half-time, 40 at three quarter-time and then to win by 53 at the final siren.

On top of the Sharks wanting to avoid finishing the season with a 13-game losing streak, they also had the added motivation of two loyal servants celebrating significant occasions with big man Rob Young playing the last game of his career and captain Rory O'Brien the 200th match of his.

Both were given plenty to celebrate with Young ending up with 16 possessions, 27 hit outs and two goals while O'Brien had 14 disposals and four tackles.

Brock O'Brien was terrific in East Fremantle's forward-line with five goals while Jack Cripps and Brandon Ellis also booted two.

Jacob Green racked up 26 possessions for the Sharks, Cameron Eardley 25, Andrew Stephen 21, Cripps 20 and Jamie McNamara 20.

Callum Walley kicked two goals for Perth while Aidan Tropiano compiled 37 possessions, Dene White 27, Liam McKenna 27, Brett Wolfenden 21, Jacob Payne 19 and Michael Sinclair 18.

ROUND 23 McDONALD'S WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
West Perth 10.7 (67) lost to Claremont 9.15 (69)
Peel Thunder 16.12 (108) defeated South Fremantle 9.15 (69)
East Perth 9.9 (63) lost to Subiaco 9.13 (67)
East Fremantle 15.15 (105) defeated Perth 7.10 (52)

RESERVES
West Perth 6.16 (52) drew with Claremont 7.10 (52)
Peel Thunder 5.4 (34) lost to South Fremantle 20.15 (135)
East Perth 10.5 (65) lost to Subiaco 11.8 (74)
East Fremantle 13.11 (89) defeated Perth 7.9 (51)

REDiMED COLTS
West Perth 5.5 (35) lost to Claremont 17.16 (118)
Peel Thunder 9.8 (62) defeated South Fremantle 9.6 (60)
East Perth 13.15 (93) defeated Subiaco 4.8 (32)
East Fremantle 7.14 (56) lost to Perth 13.4 (82)