WAFL finals: first week
East Fremantle began their first finals campaign since 2014 with an emphatic win over Claremont. Following a similar pressure-packed formula to the last meeting between the teams the Sharks scored four goals to two in the first quarter into a slight breeze to set the scene.
The breeze got stronger as the afternoon wore on and half way through the third quarter the margin was out to 47 points. There are times when Claremont’s ball movement is quite exquisite and a late charge before the last break had them within 17 points.
It wasn’t long into the last quarter before East Fremantle had regained control. Milan Murdock got things going early, fought off taggers and again had a huge influence for the Sharks. Cam Eardley gets a lot of easy kicks in defence but also wins one-on-ones and is strong in the air – he is in career-best form. Kyle Baskerville was good again, Matthew Jupp halted many attacks, former Tiger Jeremy Goddard was important in the ruck and Jonathon Marsh and Alex Montauban each kicked three goals. One of Montauban’s would have been one of the worst kicks ever to make it through the big sticks.
Ben Edwards ran hard and created chances for the Tigers while defenders Anthony Davis and Lachlan Martinis did their bit.
The game was played at East Fremantle Oval where the promised redevelopment has been delayed.
East Fremantle 16.10 (106) Claremont 8.10 (58)
At Fremantle Oval in the elimination final the home team dominated the early stages but bumbled their way to 2.9 at one stage against Peel who took a long time to get going.
It looked like South would get away with their waywardness until three goals in three minutes by the Thunder during the third quarter turned the game. Peel led by seven points at the last break, lost the lead and missed chances in the last quarter before goals from Sam Sturt and Mitch Crowden sealed the issue.
Nathan Wilson was sensational off half back for the Thunder, Lloyd Meek kick-started the second half revival, Sturt finished with three goals after a slow start (he missed two shots in the last quarter), Blair Bell was a powerful presence, Joel Hamling was hard to pass in defence and tiny Tyrone Thorne did some nice things.
In his 200th and possibly last game Haiden Schloithe (left) dominated the first half, Dylan Main kicked four goals and Peel could not find a match-up for him while Brendan Ah Chee was effective in the midfield.
Peel 10.10 (70) South Fremantle 8.13 (21)
Sunday 18 September
Second semi final: West Perth vs East Fremantle (Arena Joondalup)
First semi final: Claremont vs Peel (Claremont Oval).
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