WAFLW Preliminary Final RecapMonday, July 1, 2024 - 8:15 AM - by Chris Pike

CLAREMONT has booked in the decider against East Fremantle by winning Saturday's WAFLW preliminary final against West Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium by 27 points.

With East Fremantle already having booked in a place in this coming Sunday's WAFLW Grand Final after beating Claremont in a second semi-final thriller, the Tigers hosted West Perth in the preliminary final at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Claremont was on the hunt for a third straight Grand Final appearance while West Perth were fresh off its first ever final in its third season in the competition and beating Swan Districts by 44 points at Pentanet Stadium.

That set the stage for the preliminary final and it was the quality and experience of Claremont that proved the difference with the Tigers ending up prevailing 8.7 (55) to 4.4 (28).

Claremont ended up kicking the only goal of the first quarter and then the only three of the second to go into half-time with the commanding 26-point advantage.

West Perth weren’t done with yet and with three goals to one in the third quarter, the Falcons were back within 15 points and it set up a big finish with a Grand Final spot up for grabs.

Claremont responded, though, and with three goals to one in the last quarter secured the 27-point win and a spot in a third straight Grand Final against East Fremantle with this coming Sunday to be the decider between the Sharks and Tigers.

Rachel Ortlepp kicked four goals in the win for Claremont with Bec Anderson adding two while Jayme Harken gathered 20 possessions, Juliet Kelly, Kate Orme 16, Claudia Wright 16, Ortlepp 13 and Sarah Viney 13 while Jess Ritchie had 10 along with 22 hit outs in the ruck.

West Perth's season might be over but there was a lot to be proud of with the Falcons reaching finals for the first time and winning that first semi-final to even reach the preliminary final.

Erin O'Brien kicked another two goals for West Perth with Taylor Ferguson collecting 21 possessions, Kailea Thomas 19 and Imahra Cameron 16.

Meanwhile, Subiaco won a thrilling Rogers Cup preliminary final 5.8 (38) to 5.6 (36) against East Fremantle to lock in a Grand Final against West Perth.

WAFLW FINALS SERIES – PRELIMINARY FINAL

CLAREMONT 8.7 (55) defeated WEST PERTH 4.4 (28)