Grand Final WAFL PreviewFriday, September 20, 2024 - 9:55 AM - by Chris Pike

EAST Perth and Peel Thunder will meet in a tantalising WAFL Grand Final on Sunday afternoon at Optus Stadium with both teams at full strength, in exciting form and the stage is set for a tremendous contest.

The Royals and Thunder were the two standout teams right throughout the home and away season in 2024 to the point where they were battling over top spot and the minor premiership in the final round.

East Perth won that game by 20 points to secure top spot and then get the break to open the finals before beating Swan Districts in the second semi-final to lock in a first Grand Final appearance since 2014, and attempting to win a first premiership since 2002.

Peel finished second but then lost a qualifying final at home to Swan Districts before winning in the dying stages with a memorable goal to retiring dual premiership winning veteran Blair Bell against Claremont.

The Thunder then dominated after quarter-time with 15 goals to four to beat Swans in last Sunday's preliminary final to now be in a second straight Grand Final, and attempting to win a first premiership since going back-to-back in 2016 and 2017.

East Perth coach Ross McQueen has already won a total of six flags in the reserves and colts at Claremont, and is looking to add a league premiership to that.

McQueen has also confirmed that reigning Sandover Medallist and co-captain Hamish Brayshaw will play having overcome a foot injury.

"Hamish will play and we've been really happy with how we've gone over the course of the year, and over the last four to six weeks we found some consistency with things and the group has held us through that," McQueen said on 91.3 SportFM.

"But Hamish is our captain, he is declared fit and he's said he is good to go. The players know who's playing now and the unfortunate member who's going out from our semi-final has been told, but it just comes down to picking what we think is our best side for the day, and we believe this is it."

First-year Peel coach Adam Read has also confirmed that Will Brodie will play after missing the preliminary final win against Swan Districts with Nathan Wilson a chance to return after a one-week suspension.

"I'm feeling pretty and we're excited. This is why we play to try and get into the big game and I'm really looking forward to it," Read also told SportFM.

"It's been a good week for us and I saw Geoff (Valentine) go through it last year and being part of it, and that's helped and we've kept the week as normal as possible with the only real difference being a captain's run at Optus on Saturday.

"He (Brodie) is good to go and he's been ticked off to play and Nathan is fit and available as well."

Grand Final day will get underway on Sunday at Optus Stadium with the reserves match up with Claremont playing East Fremantle.

The Tigers will then also take part in the colts Grand Final by playing a Swan Districts team who have won three thrilling finals to book their place against Claremont.

WAFL GRAND FINAL DAY – OPTUS STADIUM, SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 22

RESERVES – CLAREMONT v EAST FREMANTLE, 9.05AM

COLTS – CLAREMONT v SWAN DISTRICTS, 12.10PM

LEAGUE – EAST PERTH v PEEL THUNDER – 3.20PM