Round 21 WAFL Preview

THE last round of the 2024 WAFL season could not possibly be set up better with East Perth and Peel Thunder fighting over top spot with four teams all then locked in the battle over the last three spots for the finals.

You couldn’t have possibly scripted a last round of a season better with the top two teams playing one another with the reward being the minor premiership.

Then you have Swan Districts, East Fremantle and Claremont all needing to win to secure a finals spot – but should one of them slip up and South Fremantle wins, then the Bulldogs will likely make it at their expense.

With those four teams all playing sides beneath them and out of the finals race, it only adds to the intrigue of what is going to be a truly fascinating last weekend of the home and away season.

First up on Saturday afternoon is the reigning premiers East Fremantle taking on the West Coast Eagles at Mineral Resources Park. Quite simply, the Sharks need to win and they will be guaranteed of playing finals and a chance still of a top three finish to earn a double chance.

Next up is Swan Districts hosting Perth at Steel Blue Oval. Swans had gone undefeated for nine straight weeks, but now with losses to East Fremantle and Peel, and they need to win on Saturday against the Demons to guarantee a finals return.

A loss for Swans and they will be vulnerable of missing finals altogether should South Fremantle win and make up the percentage gap.

Speaking of the Bulldogs, they are at home to West Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. South Fremantle’s destiny is in the hands of others in a way but to be any chance of playing finals the Bulldogs need to beat the Falcons, and then hope at least one of Swans, Sharks or Tigers also lose.

The last game on Saturday then sees the minor premiership go on the line with East Perth at home to Peel Thunder at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

The two teams are currently tied with 13-4 records and it’s just Peel sitting in first place thanks to percentage, but whoever wins on Saturday afternoon will finish top and earn the week off to begin the finals series.

The home and away season then wraps up on Sunday afternoon at Sullivan Logistics Stadium with Subiaco playing Claremont.

The Lions might be out of the finals hunt, but have three big reasons to win to farewell premiership stars Leigh Kitchin, Ben Sokol and Angus Dewar who have announced their retirement.

However, the Tigers have too much to play for and depending on Saturday’s results, could very well need to win to play finals and could also be playing for either a home elimination final or for a spot in a qualifying final.

EAST FREMANTLE v WEST COAST EAGLES – MINERAL RESOURCES PARK, SATURDAY 1.00PM

SWAN DISTRICTS v PERTH – STEEL BLUE OVAL, SATURDAY 2.30PM

SOUTH FREMANTLE v WEST PERTH – FREMANTLE COMMUNITY BANK OVAL, SATURDAY 2.30PM

EAST PERTH v PEEL THUNDER – SULLIVAN LOGISTICS STADIUM, SATURDAY 2.40PM

SUBIACO v CLAREMONT – SULLIVAN LOGISTICS STADIUM, SUNDAY 12.30PM