Claremont through to WAFL decider after epic prelim win over brave Royals

Claremont overcame a gallant East Perth by just eight points in an epic Preliminary Final to book their spot in next Sunday’s Sullivan Logistics WAFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium.

The Tigers take on minor premiers Peel Thunder for the chance of a first premiership since 2012 after prevailed in a see-sawing battle at Revo Fitness Stadium as the depleted Royals’ brave finals campaign came to a heartbreaking end.

It will be Claremont’s fifth grand final under coach Ash Prescott, with the previous four losing ones.

It was a tight final term with three lead changes and no goals after the 11-minute mark with the Royals unable to penetrate the Tigers’ defence led by Alex Pearce who reeled in nine marks to go with 26 disposals.

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Ruckman Oliver Eastland was outstanding for the victors, finishing with 25 disposals, 35 hit-outs and a goal in a dominant display, making the most of State big man Scott Jones’ absence through suspension.

Sam Alvarez’s big-improving year kept rolling with another eye-catching display, with the speedster collecting 25 touches and kicking a goal, while Pearce barely put a foot wrong down back.

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Midfielders Tom North, Hamish Brayshaw, Zac Raykos and Christian Ameduri all had an impact for the Royals, half-back Luke Foley found plenty of it with a team-high 26 touches, key forward Tom Graham (two goals) competed hard in attack, 100-gamer James Sturrock was lively and mature-aged draft prospect Jake Soutar capped off a breakout season with another outstanding defensive performance.

It was a tense, low-scoring start to the contest with neither side able to break through the opposition defences.

Claremont livewire Zac Mainwaring, coming off an eye-catching three-goal performance against Peel Thunder in last week’s Second Semi-Final, broke the deadlock at the 11-minute mark with a classy finish.

The Royals came to life with back-to-back majors at the other end through Sebit Kuek and Will Cassidy who will putting together an impressive performance in the midfield.

Midfield bull Ben Elliott steadied the Tigers’ ship late in the term to make it 2.2 apiece at quarter-time.

Claremont were the stronger side in the second term but let their opponents off the hook with several missed opportunities in front of the sticks.

Eastland was dominating in the ruck with 18 disposals and 20 hit-outs for the first half.

The Tigers managed three goals to none in the second term with Alvarez and Alec Waterman in the thick of it.

Co-captain Bailey Rogers then kicked an absolute beauty on the run just eight seconds before the half-time siren, capping off a strong 14-disposal first half from the Sandover medallist to help give his team a 20-point buffer.

East Perth’s midfield clicked into the gear in the third quarter with co-captains Ameduri and Brayshaw, smooth mover North and Raykos all lifting.

Ameduri’s kicked a team-lifting goal early in the second half which started a run of four unanswered majors for the underdog Royals.

The inspirational co-captain also provided a goal assist to Mitch Schofield with a spearing pass inside 50, while young gun Graham also came to life with two third-quarter majors as East Perth snatched a four-point lead by three-quarter time.

After a goalless third quarter, Claremont were desperate for a lift and got it from top-five draft prospect Heath Mellody who coolly slotted through a set shot from 45m out.

It was the first of three lead changes in a fiery final quarter with Coby Burgiel providing the instant response for East Perth before Eastland got one back for the Tigers thanks to a costly 50m penalty.

Small forward Tyson Headland then kicked a stunner from the pocket in what proved to be the final goal of the game.