WAFL Round 19 Wrap

THE penultimate round of the 2022 WAFL season couldn’t have possibly done a better job of setting up a grandstand finish in the last round with six teams still in finals contention, and no positions inside the top five wrapped up.

The Round 19 WAFL results mean that there are still three teams who could finish on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season, four teams who could still earn the double chance and then two more teams still fighting over fifth spot.

The stage is now set for a fascinating finish to the WAFL season in the last round with West Perth, East Fremantle, Claremont and South Fremantle jostling over the top four positions, while Peel Thunder and Swan Districts will now fight for the last finals spot.

Round 19 of the 2022 WAFL season got underway on Saturday afternoon with East Fremantle holding Claremont goalless in the first half on the way to a thumping and important 11.17 (83) to 5.8 (38) victory.

Jonathon Marsh kicked another four goals for East Fremantle with Cam Eardley racking up 33 possessions, and Milan Murdock 28 to go with 11 tackles. Callan England finished with 27 touches for Claremont.

Subiaco then celebrated the retirement of five-time premiership hero Lachlan Delahunty and the 150th game of captain Leigh Kitchin by beating Perth 14.14 (98) to 4.11 (35) at Leederville Oval.

Angus Dewar continued to enjoy his stint up forward with another three goals for Subiaco while Delahunty had 26 touches and 19 hit outs in his last game, and Kitchin 36 possessions in his 150th.

Kieran Hug kicked two goals for Perth with Matt Taylor and Haydn Busher gathering 25 touches each.

Peel Thunder remained in fifth position on the WAFL ladder as a result of a dominant 16.9 (105) to 3.14 (32) win against the West Coast Eagles at Mandurah's Lane Group Stadium.

Blair Bell kicked three goals for Peel in the big win while Nathan Wilson had 32 touches, and Lloyd Meek dominated the ruck with 22 touches and 33 hit outs.

Greg Clark and Patrick Naish both had 28 possessions for West Coast.

The last game to take place in Round 19 on Saturday saw Swan Districts keep its finals prospects alive by finishing strongly to defeat the league-leading West Perth 9.5 (59) to 6.11 (47) at Steel Blue Oval.

Jesse Palmer and Tom Edwards kicked two goals each for Swan Districts while Brandon Erceg finished with 32 possessions and 17 marks.

Keegan Knott kicked three goals for West Perth with Luke Meadows amassing 32 touches.

The round then wrapped up on Sunday afternoon at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with South Fremantle beating East Perth 12.10 (82) to 11.7 (73).

Mason Shaw kicked another three goals for South Fremantle with Haiden Schloithe collecting another 31 possessions. 

Sam Van Diemen kicked three goals for East Perth with Angus Schumacher finishing with 29 touches and Scott Jones 56 hit outs.

Following the second last round of the 2022 WAFL season, it's West Perth still on top of the ladder but only with a half-game advantage with 12 wins, four losses and a draw.

East Fremantle and Claremont hold the second and third positions at 12-5 only separated by percentage with South Fremantle in fourth with 11 wins, five losses and a draw.

That's where it gets really interesting with Peel Thunder fifth at 10-7 and Swan Districts 10-7 in sixth. Those two teams now play this Sunday in Mandurah with the winner to make the finals and the loser to miss out. It's that simple.

The rest of the ladder is made up by Subiaco (7-10), East Perth (6-11), Perth (3-14) and West Coast (1-16).

The other final round matches on Saturday will see East Perth take on East Fremantle, West Perth play Subiaco, Claremont battle West Coast and Perth play host to South Fremantle.
 

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 19

CLAREMONT 5.8 (38) lost to EAST FREMANTLE 11.17 (83)

SUBIACO 14.14 (98) defeated PERTH 4.11 (35)

PEEL THUNDER 16.9 (105) defeated WEST COAST EAGLES 3.14 (32)

SWAN DISTRICTS 9.5 (59) defeated WEST PERTH 6.11 (47)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 12.10 (82) defeated EAST PERTH 11.7 (73)