WAFL Round 21 RecapSunday, August 25, 2024 - 11:23 PM - by Chris Pike

IT was only fitting that the very last game of the 2024 WAFL season determined the last finals place and it was Claremont eliminating South Fremantle while East Perth had earlier secured the minor premiership.

It was all set up for a thrilling finish to the home and away season in the WAFL with East Perth and Peel Thunder battling over top spot, and then Swan Districts, East Fremantle, Claremont and South Fremantle all in must-win situations against bottom four teams.

In the end, the Royals were too good for the Thunder to wrap up top spot and on Saturday, Swans and the Sharks won to secure their finals places.

The Bulldogs also won to put the pressure back on the Tigers on Sunday, but they had no trouble answering the call meaning Claremont locked up fifth spot and South Fremantle's season ended in the process.

The round got underway on Saturday afternoon with East Fremantle thumping the West Coast Eagles 12.17 (89) to 4.5 (29). Cam Eardley kicked four goals for the Sharks and Milan Murdock had 30 possessions. Zane Trew had 31 touches for the Eagles.

Next up on Saturday saw Swan Districts emphatically return to winning form with the 10.14 (74) to 2.7 (19) victory against Perth at Steel Blue Oval. Leigh Kohlmann kicked six goals for Swans.

South Fremantle then kept its season alive on the back of beating West Perth 12.9 (81) to 9.9 (63) at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Zac Strom kicked three goals for the Bulldogs and Aaron Drage 32 possessions while Bernie Naylor Medallist Tyler Keitel kicked three for the Falcons.

Last up on Saturday and East Perth secured the minor premiership with the 6.13 (49) to 4.5 (29) win against Peel Thunder at Sullivan Logistics Stadium. Mitch Crowden finished with 29 disposals for the Royals, Angus Schumacher 25 and James Sturrock 22.

It was back to the same Leederville venue on Sunday afternoon with Claremont needing to beat Subiaco to lock away a finals spot and finish the season of South Fremantle, and the tenure of premiership coach Todd Curley.

The Tigers proved too good despite the Lions attempting to give Leigh Kitchin, Angus Dewar and Ben Sokol a winning farewell with Claremont winning 14.16 (100) to 7.9 (51).

Hamish Davis and Kieran Gowdie kicked three goals each for Claremont with Callan England racking up 28 possessions while the retiring Sokol kicked three goals for Subiaco.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 21

EAST FREMANTLE 12.17 (89) defeated WEST COAST EAGLES 4.5 (29)

SWAN DISTRICTS 10.14 (74) defeated PERTH 2.7 (19)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 12.9 (81) defeated WEST PERTH 9.9 (63)

EAST PERTH 6.13 (49) defeated PEEL THUNDER 4.5 (29)

SUBIACO 7.9 (51) lost to CLAREMONT 14.16 (100)