Sharks shock in ATCO WAFLW Grand Final boilover

East Fremantle have produced a stunning final-quarter comeback over hot favourites Swan Districts in a crazy ATCO WAFLW finale at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Sienna Jezierski-Brown was the Sharks’ hero, kicking the match-winning goal with three minutes to play to seal a hard-fought four-point upset.

It was a remarkable finals campaign for East Fremantle after they finished third on the ladder, winning their three do-or-die matches by a combined total of just 13 points including an extra-time Preliminary Final against two-time reigning champs Claremont.

In-form ruck Zoe Keley capped off a magnificent finals series with another team-best performance, drifting forward for two goals while also having a big impact in the engine room with a game-high 30 hit-outs to go with 13 disposals.

Dhara Kerr Medal favourite Jaime Henry was awarded the Lou Knitter Medal as best-afield with a gallant midfield performance in defeat.

The Swan Districts star tallied eight of a possible nine votes for her 31-disposal performance to finish just ahead of teammate Jemma Sly and Sharks tall Keley.

It was one goal apiece in the first term with last year’s Joanne Huggins WAFLW leading goal-kicker Taylah Edwards getting one for Swan Districts and Keley for the Sharks.

Former Docker Ash Sharp was a threat up forward but could only manage a wasteful 0.3 for the first half in a low-scoring affair, with the two teams kicking one goal apiece as the Black Ducks led by two points.

Swan Districts did all of the attacking to start the second half but couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard with East Fremantle’s defence, led by captain Tiani Teakle, holding up well.

The one-two punch of Henry and Sly continued to impress, racking up the possessions around the ground.

Sly was playing the loose player in defence role to perfect, taking several important intercept marks.

Small forward Shaya Yarran finally broke the deadlock for Swan Districts late in the third term in what was the first goal since the opening term to help her team to a nine-point lead with a quarter to play.

It was East Fremantle’s turn to attack in the last and they made the most of it through Keley who took a strong mark inside 50 before converting her mid-range set shot to make it a one-point game.

Then came Jezierski-Brown’s match-winning moment to hand Swan Districts grand final heartbreak for the second year in a row after a one-point defeat to the Tigers last year.

Swan Districts prevailed in a golden point thriller in the HART Sport Rogers Cup decider over the Sharks earlier in the day.