WAFLW PRELIM FINAL WRAP

WORDS COURTESY OF CHRIS PIKE

THE WAFLW grand final is now set for 2023 this Saturday with East Fremantle overpowering South Fremantle in Sunday’s preliminary final to book in a rematch with Claremont.

The biggest ever WAFLW derby took place on Sunday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval and South Fremantle started well against East Fremantle looking for a shot at history.

But the Sharks were desperate for the chance at redemption for 2022 and ended up kicking the last five goals of the contest to claim the 7.3 (45) to 3.4 (22) win to cement a place in this Saturday’s grand final against Claremont at Mineral Resources Park.

Following that WAFLW encounter on Sunday afternoon at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, it was time for the Rogers Cup preliminary final also featuring South Fremantle up against Claremont.

A spot in the grand final was on the line and it was the Bulldogs who beat the Tigers 4.11 (35) to 4.3 (27) with Alira Fotu kicking two goals for South Fremantle and one each to Tiara Hodgson and Montanna Campbell.

Claremont’s goals were kicked by Rio Angus, Jess Freame, Sophia Fasolo and Savannah Muir.

The Rogers Cup grand final will now take place this Saturday at Mineral Resources Park beginning at 12.10pm between West Perth and South Fremantle.

WAFLW PREMIERSHIP SEASON – PRELIMINARY FINAL

SOUTH FREMANTLE 3.4 (22) lost to EAST FREMANTLE 7.3 (45)

The biggest ever WAFLW derby took place at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday with East Fremantle prevailing by 23 points against South Fremantle in the preliminary final.

A place in Saturday’s grand final against Claremont was on the line with the Bulldogs playing host to the Sharks.

South Fremantle was attempting to win its first ever final in the WAFLW while East Fremantle was desperate for a shot at redemption after losing last year’s grand final also to Claremont.

While South Fremantle kicked three of the first five goals of the preliminary final, East Fremantle kicked the last five of the contest to end up winning 7.3 (45) to 3.4 (22) to book in another WAFLW grand final appearance.

The standout forward in the preliminary final was Chloe Reilly for East Fremantle. Having kicked 18 goals from the 15 games so far this season, she used all of her pace and skill to full effect to make the most of the ball being at ground level to grab her opportunities.

The 19-year-old might have only had four kicks for the game, but all four of those turned into goals and she proved to be the biggest influence on the game with those four goals on an afternoon with only 10 kicked in total between the two teams.

Sharon Wong was outstanding once more in the midfield for East Fremantle and finished with 17 possessions, five tackles and three marks.

Larissa Versaci also gathered 16 touches for the Sharks, Beth Beckett 13, Hayley O’Donnell 12, Ashlee Atkins 12, Zippy Fish 12, Mylee Leitch 11 and captain Ashleigh Gomes 10.

Laura Catherine also had 33 hit outs in the ruck to go with seven possessions, two marks and two tackles.

South Fremantle’s goals in the preliminary final were kicked by Noa McNaughton, Renee Morgan and Bethany Bond.

Luci Gilchrist fought valiantly in the midfield for South Fremantle and the reigning fairest and best winner finished with 17 possessions, five marks, three tackles and two inside-50 entries.

Captain Lauren Vecchio also picked up 16 touches and 12 tackles for the Bulldogs with Morgan gathering 15 disposals, Pia Durk 12 (12 tackles), Ariana Hetherington 11 and McNaughton 10.

It took only two minutes for South Fremantle to make the perfect start to the preliminary final as they tried to make history. Bethany Bond kicked the first goal of the contest but the hot start to the game continued when two minutes later Anjelique Raison also kicked truly for East Fremantle.

Then heading towards quarter-time, Noa McNaughton showed a glimpse of her potential and nous for the goals with a terrific kick to give South Fremantle a second and the six-point lead by quarter-time.

Grace Freeman then produced an impressive set shot kick to the hospital end and pulled out the double bicep celebration as East Fremantle drew back level. But South Fremantle responded soon after with 16-year-old Renee Morgan kicking truly and putting the Bulldogs back in front.

It was then time for Chloe Reilly to make her mark on the contest where she was able to use her pace to get in behind the South Fremantle defence and take her chances. She kicked two goals for the Sharks in the second quarter and that helped her team to a seven-point lead at the main break.

There would be no goals kicked in the third quarter but it wasn’t through a lack of effort between two teams putting their bodies on the line in a physical hit out desperate to earn that spot in the grand final.

East Fremantle were still leading by five points at three quarter-time before it was all the Sharks in the last term. Reilly kicked two more goals in the space of two minutes for one another and showed why she’s such a lethal option inside the forward 50.

That gave her four goals for the preliminary final with East Fremantle’s lead out to 16 points and then Larissa Versaci guaranteed the grand final spot for the Sharks when she kicked a late goal just before the final siren.