10 Things we Learned: Upsets galore in WAFL, Sharks do the double in WAFLW

We take a look at the biggest talking points in the Sullivan Logistics WAFL, ATCO WAFLW, HART Sport Rogers Cup and EGT WAFL Colts in our weekly column.

Sharks shock in WAFLW

East Fremantle are through to their fourth ATCO WAFLW decider in five years after an epic extra-time victory over two-time reigning champs Claremont in Sunday’s Preliminary Final at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Captain Tiani Teakle was the hero for the Sharks, kicking the match-winning golden goal during a stunning extra time.

The usual defender drifted forward for just the 16th – and most important – of her 54-game WAFLW career.

It came after the two sides couldn’t be separated after four quarters, with scores tied at 38 apiece.

The Tigers’ straight-sets exit means they won’t feature in the WAFLW grand final for the first time since 2021, ending a dominant era which included three premierships in the last four seasons.

East Fremantle take on minor premiers Swan Districts in the Grand Final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday, August 23.

The Sharks were well serviced by ruck Zoe Keley (12 disposals, 39 hit-outs and seven tackles), who had a brilliant day against State representative Matilda Husband, while defender Mack Webb (19 disposals and seven marks) starred against her former club.

Last week’s hero Jae Flynn’s hot form continued with 19 disposals, five tackles and a goal, with Eve Wilson-Seiber (10 disposals, seven tackles, four inside 50s and a goal) also influential for the victors.

For Claremont, former AFLW Swan and Eagle Hayley Bullas couldn’t have done much more to try get her team over the line, finishing with a game-high 32 disposals and 10 tackles to go with four inside 50s.

Tiani Teakle was the hero for the Sharks against Claremont. Credit: Jason Clark

East Freo into the Rogers Cup decider too

East Fremantle also qualified through to the HART Sport Rogers Cup decider, also against Swan Districts, with a massive win over Subiaco earlier in the day.

The Sharks prevailed by 54 points with Olivia Keady booting a game-high three goals and Chelsea Natta, Avuya Nomlatyu and Lucinta Akerman chiming in with two apiece.

It was a statement performance from the minor premiers, bouncing back from a heart-breaking five-point loss to Swan Districts in the Second Semi Final the previous week.

Peel’s streak over

Peel Thunder’s club-record winning streak has finally come to an end at the hands of the in-form West Coast at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday.

The Thunder still claimed the minor premiership with one round remaining on the back of a 12-game winning run and other results going their way.

The Eagles kept their finals hopes alive with a fourth win on the trot, inspiring by another 30-plus disposal performance from ball magnet Finlay Macrae.

Macrae finished with 31 disposals, seven clearances and five inside 50s, with fellow AFL-listed players Harry Schoenberg (23 disposals, 10 tackles, seven clearances and a goal), key back Sandy Brock (19 disposals and 10 rebound 50s) and ruckman Matt Flynn (19 disposals, 40 hit-outs and seven clearances) also impressive.

Sandover Medal fancy Jeremy Sharp was the Thunder’s best with a game-high 33 disposals, seven inside 50s and five clearances, while young forward Charlie Nicholls booted four goals in an exciting performance.

Luckless pair Sean Darcy and Sam Sturt both suffered injuries for the Thunder and didn’t play out the match.

Subi stay alive

Subiaco caused a massive upset against Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday to stay in touch with the top five.

The stunning one-point result means the Lions are just one win out of the five ahead of their final-round clash against Sullivan Logistics Stadium co-tenants East Perth this Saturday.

Subi led at every change, including by 21 points at half-time, before Claremont made inroads with a seven-goals-to-four second half.

Ryan Borchet kicked the match-winning goal at the 33-minute mark of a tense final term after the Tigers briefly snatched the lead through Alec Waterman.

Defenders Galen Savigni and Jaxon McGowan were brilliant for the Lions, Fraser Rickson battled hard in the ruck and Stefan Giro was prominent in the midfield.

Sandover medallist Callan England had a successful return from a knee injury for Claremont, while midfield bull Ben Elliott racked up a career-best 35 possessions.

Derby delight for Dogs

Reigning champs South Fremantle stayed inside the top five with a massive Fremantle Derby win over East Fremantle at The Good Grocer Park on Saturday.

Hamish Free was dominant in the ruck in the 34-point win, Trey Ruscoe starred up forward with four goals, Jamaine Jones was prolific across half-back and Tom Blechynden and Matthew Parker did the damage in the midfield.

For East Fremantle, young gun Jack Cleaver continued his career-best season with 23 disposals, 10 clearances and three goals as he firms for his first Lynn Medal fairest-and-best award.

Royals rebound from WA Day Derby shock

East Perth went a step closer to book their finals spot after thrashing West Perth by 64 points at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Saturday.

The Royals can still snatch a top-three spot as they sit just percentage behind the third-place Demons with one round to go.

Even with a concerning injury list, East Perth put away their derby rivals in style with Liam Tedesco (31 disposals, seven inside 50s and five clearances) leading the way in the midfield and defender Jake Soutar continuing to put his name in lights as a mature-aged draft prospect with 14 marks and 22 disposals.

Tom Medhat was the main man up forward with five majors, while Sebit Kuek chipped in with four and Ben Middleton three.

Vice-captain Kane Bevan was the standout for the Falcons with 29 disposals and eight clearances, while draft prospect Harvey Spawton-Guy kicked a team-high three majors to take his season tally to nine goals from four games.

Demons down Swans, stay in third spot

Perth are hanging onto third place on the WAFL ladder after edging out Swan Districts in a tight contest at Mineral Resources Park.

The Demons prevailed by 19 points thanks to a best-on-ground performance from Kia WAFL State Team representative Austin Davis who was everywhere on the way to 32 disposals, nine marks and two goals.

Co-captain Corey Byrne was another important contributor with 27 touches, seven inside 50s, five clearances and a goal.

Tough midfielder Josh Cipro was the Black Ducks’ best, amassing a staggering 40 disposals to go with eight marks and seven clearances, while Jarvis Pina and Blake Kelly were also prominent in a losing cause.

WAFLW products make their mark

Five WAFLW products made their AFLW debuts in the opening round of the season to go with two more making their club debuts.

No.1 draft pick Olivia Wolmarans headlined the West Aussie contingent, kicking a goal on debut for Richmond and taking six marks in their win over Collingwood at IKON Park.

Fellow Subiaco product Olivia Crane also enjoyed a winning debut for Port Adelaide against Fremantle at Cockburn on Sunday in front of family and friends in her home State.

Top-20 pick and West Perth product Mia Russo made her AFLW debut for West Coast against GWS on Sunday alongside Perth export and former St Kilda player Isabella Shannon, who only signed with the Eagles 11 days earlier after a dominant WAFLW season.

Claremont product Juliet Kelly tallied 10 disposals and five tackles on debut in Adelaide’s narrow loss to Sydney, former Perth forward Poppy Stockwell kicked a goal in her club debut for Hawthorn against Melbourne on Thursday night after getting a second chance in the AFLW.

First-round pick and Peel Thunder product Evie Cowcher was one of the shining lights in Geelong’s heavy loss to North Melbourne with 14 disposals and three tackles.

Draft prospects shine on debut

Claremont didn’t come away with the four points against Subiaco, but they at least had a couple of positives in the form of two AFL Draft prospects impressing on debut.

State 18s teammates and Under-18s All-Australians Heath Mellody and George Gale were blooded by the Tigers and showed plenty in their first taste of senior footy.

Mellody finished with 17 disposals, three marks, three tackles and two clearances, while Gale wasn’t too far behind with 15 touches and two score assists.

Top-two teams toppled in Colts

We have a new ladder leader in the EGT WAFL Colts after East Fremantle’s Derby victory over South Fremantle at The Good Grocer Park on Saturday morning.

The Sharks jumped from third to first by the end of the round, partly thanks to Subiaco’s upset win over Claremont.

Ben Wood starred for the Sharks with five goals in the 44-point win, while Lincoln Martignago stood out in the midfield with 26 disposals, seven clearances and seven inside 50s.

Bottom-ager Sam O’Brien with the difference in the Lions’ fourth win on the trot, finishing with 28 disposals, nine tackles, six clearances and five inside 50s, while Thatcher Simmons continued his purple patch with 20 and two goals.