Teams Locked! Finals Week 2 WAFL Preview

East Fremantle return to their old stomping ground, Fremantle Oval, to take on Peel Thunder for a place in the 2023 WAFL Grand Final. Peel won through to the game last weekend with a dynamic 2nd half performance, over-running Subiaco to run out 10 point winners in tough conditions. The Sharks and Thunder split the games this season, with Peel overcoming a 5 goal deficit to edge out the Sharks in Round 1 before the tables were turned when the 2 teams met in Geraldton later in the season. 

The Thunder will host 11 AFL listed players in the game, with Fremantle players Will Brodie,  Josh Corbett, Nathan Wilson, Liam Reidy and Joel Hamling coming into the clash with good form. Peel locals Jack Sears and Ben Middleton had influential games against the Lions, with Sears booting 4 goals and Middleton 2 in the come from behind win. 

Through the middle, the Sharks ruck duo of Reuben McGuire and Hugh Dixon will have their hands full with Reidy and interstate recruit, Riley Smith. At ground level, an absorbing battle should ensue with the powerful East Fremantle midfield of Jansen, Marsh, Joyce, McDonald, Turner and the returning Milan Murdock going head to head with Brodie, Peel skipper Ben Hancock and the influential Blair Bell. 

The Thunder boast one of the best defensive records for the season and the Sharks forward line welcomes back firecracker, Jonathon Marsh- who returns after a layoff through injury. In his absence, Cody Leggett, Hugh Dixon and Brayden Lawler have filled the void. 

The match promises to one of the best of the season, with a spot, and a week off, in the Grand Final up for grabs. 

The Sharks Reserves jumped out of the block last weekend to boot 7 goals in the first quarter and held off Claremont to win the Elimination Final by 13 points. They now take on Subiaco, who they were well beaten by in the last game of the season a few weeks ago. The Reserves side welcomes back youngster Ben Praxl, who will provide a strong target up forward. The Sharks will need strong performances again from Ryan Lester-Smith, Max Murphy, Enrique Aiken-Featherstone, Josh Ritchie, Eddie Simpson and Lachlan Blakiston to continue their run. 

The Colts also face a do or die clash having lost a tight tussle in the Colts last weekend. They also take on Subiaco, who they edged out in the last game of the season, by 2 points, to take out 3rd spot. The loss against the Tigers ended a 10 game winning streak for the young Shark pups. They will be looking to respond and win their way through to a Preliminary Final. 

The Colts kick the day off at 9am on Saturday.