Round 23 McDonald's WAFL Wrap UpMonday, August 31, 2015 - 11:36 PM - by Chris Pike

WITH Peel Thunder beating South Fremantle to lock in third position and keep East Perth fourth, the only match with anything riding on the result on Saturday in the final round of the WAFL season featured West Perth and Claremont at HBF Arena.

Claremont needed to win to make the finals and to knock out Swan Districts from fifth position with Swans having the bye, but West Perth had not lost at home so far in 2015 and led by 25 points at the 10-minute mark of the final quarter.

However, the Tigers then kicked the last four goals of the game to win 9.15 (69) to 10.7 (67) to move into fifth position and end the season of Swan Districts in dramatic fashion.

The other three games on Saturday saw Subiaco beat East Perth 9.13 (67) to 9.9 (63) at Medibank Stadium, Peel Thunder down South Fremantle 16.12 (108) to 9.15 (69) at Bendigo Bank Stadium and East Fremantle snap a 12-game losing run to defeat Perth 15.15 (105) to 7.10 (52) at ATOM Stadium.

The results mean that Subiaco (17-3) finishes four games clear on top of the ladder ahead of West Perth (13-7), Peel Thunder (13-7), East Perth (11-9) and Claremont (10-10). Swan Districts (10-10), South Fremantle (8-12), East Fremantle (6-14) and Perth (2-18) are the four teams to miss finals.

The finals now begin this Sunday with West Perth playing Peel Thunder in a qualifying final at HBF Arena and East Perth hosting Claremont in an elimination final at Medibank Stadium.

Click here for the summary of Round 23 of the WAFL http://www.wafl.com.au/summary/23

TEAM OF THE WEEK (times named in team)
BACK: Kyle Hams (SF, 6), Tanner Smith (PT, 6), Steven Browne (WP, 3)
HALF-BACK: Jarrod Parry (SF, 1), Nick Rodda (WP, 2), Garry Moss (EP, 3)
CENTRE: Aaron Black (WP, 9), Brendan Lee (EP, 10), Sam Menegola (S, 9)
HALF-FORWARD: Max Duffy (PT, 4), Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls (EP, 3), Jake Murphy (C, 1)
FORWARD: Leroy Jetta (PT, 4), Brock O'Brien (EF, 9), Haiden Schloithe (SF, 3)
RUCK: Paul Johnson (EP, 9), Brendon Jones (PT, 6), Corey Yeo (C, 9)
INTERCHANGE: Kyal Horsley (S, 3), Aidan Tropiano (P, 9), Tom Swift (C, 1), Jacob Green (EF, 2)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Leroy Jetta has been a consistent goal kicker for Peel Thunder all season on return to the WAFL from Essendon, but on Saturday he had a day to remember against a South Fremantle team that he began his career with before he was drafted by the Bombers.

Jetta had already kicked 32 goals in his 18 games with Peel this season and has been a big factor both in his game day performances and leadership off the field in the Thunder making the finals, but on Saturday he put in a career-best display against the Bulldogs.

The 27-year-old booted seven goals made up of two goals in the second quarter, two more in the third and then three in the last as Peel went on to beat South Fremantle by 39 points to guarantee third position ahead of the club's first ever finals appearance.

And with the potential of Peel not having any of Zac Clarke, Craig Moller, Jack Hannath, Matt Taberner, Alex Pearce or Sean Hurley to play as key forwards on Sunday in the qualifying final, the Thunder might need Jetta to have another day out if they are to beat West Perth.

THE SHINING LIGHTS
Claremont headed to HBF Arena needing to be the first team to beat West Perth there for the season if it was to play finals, and the Tigers had plenty of work to do trailing by 25 points 10 minutes into the last quarter.

However, the Tigers then kicked the last four goals of the game through Tom Ledger, two to Kepler Bradley and then the winner to captain Jake Murphy and they won by two points to qualify for the finals in fifth position.

Not only did Murphy kick the winning goal, but he also likely played his best game of the season after the skipper has had a horror run with injury. The dual premiership player finished with 27 possessions, eight tackles and two goals to lead the Tigers from the front.

Corey Yeo continued his tremendous season for the Tigers in the midfield with 29 disposals, six tackles and a goal as well while Tom Ledger gathered 26 touches, seven marks and a goal.

Ryan Lim also maintained his career-best form with 25 possessions with Tom Swift delivering his best performance of the year as well with 21 touches and 10 tackles.

Ian Richardson celebrated his 150th game with Claremont to earn life membership with 23 possessions, eight inside 50s and a goal while Bradley also kicked two majors in the last quarter.

Matthew Davies had another 20 possessions across half-back with Jack Bradshaw picking up 18 touches, Haydn Busher 17 and Mitch Andrews had 42 hit outs in the ruck.

West Perth will have some selection dilemmas to make ahead of the clash with Peel with Andrew Strijk now battling to be fit, and with Shane Nelson, Laine Rasmussen, Joe Morrow and Tyler Keitel looking to return after missing the game against Claremont.

Sandover Medallist Aaron Black had another big game in the midfield for the Falcons finishing with 36 possessions, 11 marks and five tackles with Trent Manzone continuing his career-best form with 33 disposals, seven tackles and a goal.

Ray Bartholomew also continued to book in a spot in the team for the finals with another strong performance with 24 touches, nine marks and a goal while Jay van Berlo had 23 disposals for West Perth, Steve Potente 21 and Aidan Lynch 19 to go with seven tackles and two goals.

Full-forward Michael Lourey was West Perth's other multiple goal kicker in the low-scoring contest with two from his four kicks and two marks.

West Perth's defence battled hard against Claremont's dangerous forward-line and stood up well with Beau Maister held goalless as was Kepler Bradley until the final quarter with Jack Bradshaw and Ian Richardson combining for just the two goals.

The Falcons' defence did well setting up play as well with Blake Wilhelm collecting 24 possessions, Steven Browne 22 and Drew Rohde 21.

Peel Thunder appeared in control of its clash with South Fremantle at Bendigo Bank Stadium for most of the afternoon, and then kicked the last five goals of the contest to end up winning by 39 points to gear up for the club's first ever WAFL finals appearance.

Peel's dynamic small forward duo Leroy Jetta and Gerald Ugle had a day out against South Fremantle with Jetta particularly outstanding against the team he began his WAFL career with by kicking seven goals for the first time from 14 possessions.

Ugle also kicked three goals for the Thunder and another former South Fremantle player Tom Vandeleur added two.

Captain Brendon Jones led from the front for Peel with 35 possessions as he now gears up for his 219th WAFL game on Sunday, and remarkably his first final.

Jacob Ballard continued his strong form on the ball with the Thunder with another 29 possessions and five inside-50 entries with Brady Grey also gathering 24 disposals, Ethan Hughes 21 and Max Duffy 20 to go with nine marks, seven inside 50s and a goal.

Tanner Smith was again strong defensively for Peel with 17 possessions and 10 marks with Sean Hurley also doing well in a key defensive post.

Jack Hannath had a good game in the ruck as well for Peel in the absence of the suspended Zac Clarke finishing with 16 disposals, 34 hit outs and a goal.

South Fremantle now finishes the 2015 season with an 8-12 record to be in seventh position but will look to have the injured Blayne Wilson, Steven Verrier, Brock Higgins and Jacob Martinez back for the start of 2015.

Dual premiership veteran Craig White won't be there, though, with him playing his 192nd and last WAFL game with South Fremantle on Saturday while it appears that Kyle Hams and James Sellar have also played their last games for the Bulldogs.

Whether or not they have played their last game with South Fremantle remains to be seen, but Kyle and Ashton Hams couldn’t have done more for the Bulldogs on Saturday combining for 64 possessions, 23 marks and six entries inside the forward 50.

Haiden Schloithe played one of his better games of the season finishing with 26 disposals, six marks, five inside 50s and two goals while Marlion Pickett was good both off half-back and forward ending up with 24 touches, seven marks and three goals.

Jarrod Parry was also a strong performer for South Fremantle with 24 possessions and seven marks while James Sellar finished with 19 disposals and eight marks, Matthew Ah Siu 19 touches and a goal, Ryan Cook 18 possessions and nine marks, and Kade Stewart 18 disposals.

Kade Stewart's older brother Tim made his debut and was a strong performer in the midfield for the Bulldogs with 23 possessions and five tackles.

It was tough going at Medibank Stadium in the battle of the co-tenants on Saturday with both sides destined to finish first and fourth respectively no matter the result, but in the end Subiaco kicked seven goals to three after half-time to win a dour contest by four points.

Subiaco now finished the season four games clear on top of the ladder to earn the break in the first week of the finals while East Perth ends up fourth to host Claremont in an elimination final this Sunday.

Shane Yarran kicked two goals for Subiaco from eight kicks to give him 46 majors for the season to wrap up the Bernie Naylor Medal as the league's leading goal scorer. Kyle Halligan and Matt Boland both kicked two goals apiece as well for the Lions.

Sam Menegola had another significant impact on the game for Subiaco with 23 possessions, five marks and five inside-50 entries with captain Kyal Horsley also putting in a strong performance with 23 disposals and four inside 50s.

Wayde Twomey was good off half-back for Subiaco with 20 possessions with Leigh Kitchin also picking up 20 disposals, Craig Hoskins 18 and Chris Phelan 16 to go with six tackles and five inside-50 entries.

Subiaco again went in without a recognised ruckman with Lachlan Delahunty (15 possessions, 14 hit outs) and Clancy Wheeler (17 touches, seven marks, 14 hit outs) but ultimately they were no match for East Perth's Paul Johnson who had 20 disposals, nine marks and 41 hit outs.

Malcolm Karpany was East Perth's only multiple goal scorer with two and the Royals will be hoping that either, or both, Scott Lycett and Fraser McInnes overcome their injuries to be available for the finals to offer a forward target, and to give Johnson some support in the ruck.

Garry Moss was terrific again for the Royals off half-back with 31 possessions and 11 marks while co-captain Brendan Lee put in another big effort in the midfield with 27 touches, nine marks and four tackles.

Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls could have found the most consistent form of his career now and had another 23 touches, 10 marks, seven inside 50s and a goal on Saturday while Scott Selwood gathered 21 disposals and Kane Lucas 21.

East Fremantle had lost its last 12 games entering the final game of the season against the wooden spooners Perth at ATOM Stadium, and with the added motivation of the retirement of Rob Young and captain Rory O'Brien's 200th game, they finally won its first game under caretaker coach Brad Dodd.

The Sharks cruised to the 53-point win in a fitting end to the 170-game WAFL career of versatile big man Young and he finished with 16 possessions, 27 hit outs and two goals as he now joins Mark McGough, Bradd Dalziell, Tom Howlett, Steven Dodd and Brett Peake as retirees over the past 12 months.

Brock O'Brien finished off the season for East Fremantle kicking five goals with Jack Cripps also booting two to go with 20 possessions while Brandon Ellis also booted two majors.

Jacob Green continued to be one of the young shining lights for East Fremantle and had a good finish to the season with 26 possessions, six marks, five tackles and five inside-50 entries.

Cameron Eardley also gathered 25 disposals for the Sharks, Andrew Stephen 21 (11 marks), Jamie McNamara 20 (seven tackles) and Jack Perham 19.

Callum Walley kicked two more goals for Perth to see him finish with 14 goals over the last six games of the season.

Aidan Tropiano finished his season the same way he's played most of it for the Demons with another 37 possessions while Dene White picked up 27 disposals, Liam McKenna 27, Brett Wolfenden 21, Jacob Payne 19, Michael Sinclair 18, Brent Edmonds 17 and Todd Stevenson 17.

RESERVES STANDOUTS
West Perth's reserves drew with Claremont but the Falcons still finish in fourth position on the ladder and now will take on East Perth in a cut-throat elimination final next Sunday.

Callum Papertalk and Mark Hamilton kicked two goals apiece for West Perth while Jesse Kirwen racked up 28 possessions, Marc Crisp 25, Brayden Antonio 22, Mitchell Peirce 22, Max Alexander 20 (11 marks), Dean Munns 20 (12 tackles), Sam Money 19 and Martin Geraghty 17.

Bronson Harry kicked two goals for Claremont with Lachlan Davey racking up 24 possessions, Ben Higgs 24, Keegan Knott 21, Harrison McCracken 20, Chaz Flint 20, Isaac Baum 19 and Sam Bevan 17.

South Fremantle's reserves finished their season with a thumping 20.15 (135) to 5.4 (34) win over Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium with the Bulldogs finishing the season four games clear on top of the ladder.

South Fremantle's reserves will now have the week off in the first week of the finals awaiting the winner of Sunday's clash between Subiaco and Swan Districts before the Bulldogs play off in a second semi-final on Sunday September 13.

The Bulldogs had 9.4 on the scoreboard on Saturday before the Thunder managed a solitary behind, and then another 11 goals to five in the second half saw them come away with the 101-point win.

Ben Saunders kicked five goals for South Fremantle but he hasn’t qualified for the finals while Ben Sokol kicked three goals and Bailey Matera two.

Dylan Ross was terrific both forward and back ending the day with 20 disposals, nine marks and three goals while Anthony Collica had 36 possessions for South Fremantle, Shaun Bewick 31, Dominic Warrell 18, John Sgherza 18 and Adam Carter 17.

Nathan Fahey kicked two goals for Perth while Corey Morris had 18 possessions, Laine Wilkins 17 and Jack Gomboc 14.

Subiaco and East Perth's reserves will both play finals, and played out a tight affair at Medibank Stadium on Saturday with the Lions ending up winning by nine points.

Subiaco finishes in second position to now take on Swan Districts in a qualifying final on Sunday at Medibank Stadium while East Perth faces West Perth in an elimination final at HBF Arena on Sunday morning.

James Garcia, Sean Bradley and Dylan Clarke kicked two goals each for Subiaco with Reece Blechynden amassing 36 possessions to go with 11 inside 50s, eight tackles and a goal.

Greg Clark also had 19 touches for the Lions, Braden Fimmano 18, Joel Ashman 18, Matt Bogensperger 18 and Jordan Bestry had 38 hit outs in the ruck.

Blake Riley and Tom Shanahan kicked two goals each for East Perth with Damian Lee picking up 25 possessions, Shanahan 24, Will Young 21, Tom Gorter 20, Julian Ameduri 20, Tom Hodgson 19 and Shayne Hille 17.

Neither of East Fremantle or Perth's reserves could make the finals, but it was the Sharks who finished the season with a win beating the Demons 13.11 (89) to 7.9 (51) at ATOM Stadium.

Mitchell Henley and Tom Bowey kicked two goals each for East Fremantle with Dylan Coulthard gathering 28 possessions, Barry Barone 23, Carl Green 23 (12 tackles) and Roman Murdock 17.

Mitch Henderson kicked two goals for Perth with Ashley Boyes amassing 29 possessions, Cameron Jones 24, Kurtis Chester 24, Kayle Phillips 22, Matthew Welburn 18, Lennon Marlin 18 and Sam Garstone 18.

REDiMED COLTS RISING STARS
Claremont's colts secured the minor premiership thanks to a commanding 17.16 (118) to 5.5 (35) win over West Perth on Saturday at HBF Arena.

As a result, Claremont will now receive the bye in the first week of the finals awaiting a second semi-final battle with the winner of the clash next Sunday between Swan Districts and Peel Thunder.

Meanwhile, West Perth's colts is guaranteed of playing in the finals and will take on East Fremantle in an elimination final next Sunday.

Jake Waterman, Morgan Davies and Eddie Simpson all kicked three goals each for Claremont while Jacob Sideris, Declan Mountford, Matt Guelfi, Davies and Ryan Murphy all finished with 17 possessions.

Conal Lynch, Nathan Alexandre, Liam Baker, Nicholas Marinovich and Connor West combined to kick West Perth's five goals for the game.

Baker worked hard to rack up 28 possessions while Clint Hinchcliffe had 21 disposals, Lynch 17, Scott Nelson 17, Mitch Walley 15 and Tom O'Brien 15. 

Peel Thunder's colts guaranteed third position and a finals doubles chance by holding on to beat South Fremantle 9.8 (62) to 9.6 (60).

Peel now finishes the season in third position and now will take on Swan Districts in next Sunday's qualifying final with the winner to then face Claremont in a second semi-final, and the loser to play in the first semi-final in the winner of the East Fremantle and West Perth clash.

South Fremantle's colts got off to a flying start with the advantage of the breeze kicking six goals to one in the first quarter, but Peel hit back to be just a point down at half-time.

The Bulldogs again kicked away with three goals to nil in the third quarter, but the Thunder finished with the only three goals of the last term to win by two points.

Brett Milward kicked three goals for Peel and Luke Shepherd two with Noah Hura gathering 24 possessions, Hayden Davis 23, Keegan Power 23, Mitchel Curnow 19, Haydn Matthews 19 and Josh Schoenfeld 18.

Mitch Dzelebdzic kicked three goals for South Fremantle with Jesse Mudge and Jake Florenca booting two apiece.

Florenca also finished with 28 possessions and 10 inside-50 entries for the Bulldogs with Brandon Donaldson gathering 17 disposals, Daniel Burke 16 and Jesse Mirco 16 while Matthew Grubelich had 11 touches and 19 hit outs in the ruck.

East Perth and Subiaco's colts might have both been out of finals contention, but the Royals finished their season on a high beating the Lions 13.15 (93) to 4.8 (32) at Medibank Stadium.

Campbell Abbott, Sam Powell-Pepper, Austin Britza and Tarir Bayok all kicked two goals each for East Perth with Mitch Dobson collecting 27 possessions, Jake Lewis 23, Powell-Pepper 22, Kobe Chrisp 20, Ben Avery 19, Callum Smith 18 and Alex Di Placido 18.

McKenzie Lawrence, Tom Breeze, Michael Braut and Liam O'Callaghan kicked Subiaco's four goals with Ethan Burnett racking up 34 possessions, Ryan Borchet 24, Jack Beverley 23, Lawrence 20 and Abraham Kennedy 18.

Perth's colts finished their season on a high against the finals bounce East Fremantle winning 13.4 (82) to 7.14 (56) at Lathlain Park. The Sharks will now take on West Perth in an elimination final next Sunday.

Corey Byrne and Jackson Giles kicked three goals each for Perth with Anton Scotney kicking two. Zac Fisher gathered 24 possessions, Byrne 22, Chapman Jones 20, Matthew Taylor 17, Jayden Johnstone 15 and Daniel Horan 15.

Cameron Zurhaar kicked four goals for East Fremantle with Jesse Adamini picking up 22 possessions, Oliver Parish 21, Tom Bennett 19, Kyle Baskerville 19, Fraser Perry 17 and Jordan Snadden 17.