East Fremantle book ticket to big dance in WAFLW finals while Swan Districts’ season comes to an end

With finals fury under way in the WAFLW, Mid West stars from the GNWFL experienced up-and-down results as East Fremantle punched their ticket to another grand final. The first week of finals took place on Sunday, with Swan Districts meeting West Perth and East Fremantle taking on Claremont. The East Freo Sharks are hot off their premiership from last year and have booked their spot in the big dance against with a 4.7 (31) to 4.4 (28) win over Claremont. Among the side’s best on ground during the win was Northampton’s Tiani Teakle, who missed out on playing in last year’s grand final but will have a chance this time around. Teakle led her side with 17 disposals, five marks and four tackles. Missing from the side was another Northampton native, Samara Pluschke, who was a part of the championship team last year but has not appeared for the Sharks since round 14. In the other finals game Mid West products did not have as much success with Swan Districts going down to West Perth 11.4 (70) to 4.2 (26). Swans failed to make it past the first round of finals for a second time, after losing to the Sharks in the first final last year. This was despite the best efforts of Chapman Valley’s Kaley King, who had a team-high 15 disposals in the loss along with two marks, four tackles and two inside-50s. Aiding King was Brigades export Courtney Zappara, who finished the game with seven disposals, one mark, one tackle and two inside-50s. In the Rogers Cup, the Sharks live to fight another day despite losing to West Perth 9.4 (58).to 1.5 (11). Ex-Railways standout Jasmine Johansen and Brigades premiership player Neveah Hill both played for the Sharks in the loss. The side had a poor showing, failing to score a goal in the first half and finished with just one for the game. But the Sharks have a chance to redeem themselves on Saturday against Subiaco for a spot in the big dance. The Sharks’ league women’s side will play the winner of Claremont and West Perth in the grand final.