Round 20 WAFL Preview

EVERYTHING goes on the line in the last round of the 2023 WAFL season on Saturday with East Fremantle and Subiaco battling over top spot, and Peel Thunder, Claremont and West Perth left to jostle over fourth and fifth positions.

It couldn’t be set up for a more fascinating finish to the 2023 home and away season in the WAFL with the top two teams left to fight over the minor premiership this Saturday afternoon.

That result will also determine whether or not the third placed East Perth has a chance at a top two finish as well while the Thunder and Tigers are left in must-win situations to guarantee their finals positions should the Falcons prevail in their home derby against the Royals.

The first game of the final day of the home and away season is the only contest that has no impact on the finals with the winless West Coast Eagles playing host to a South Fremantle team trying to avoid finishing with a five-match losing run. They do battle at Lathlain's Mineral Resources Park from 10.30am.

There are then two matches that begin at 2.10pm on Saturday afternoon with Swan Districts at home to Peel Thunder at Steel Blue Oval. 

Peel must win to guarantee a finals position but anything but a huge loss should still be enough to see the Thunder play finals for a second straight season with inspirational captain Ben Hancock also celebrating his 150th game becoming the first Peel player to reach the mark.

The other game at 2.10pm also features a modern great reach a significant milestone with Claremont's Jye Bolton reaching 150 games with the Tigers playing host to Perth at Reco Fitness Stadium.

It's a must-win game for Claremont as well against the second last placed Perth with anything but a win for the Tigers leaving the door open for West Perth later in the afternoon.

Speaking of the Falcons, the reigning premiers will be at home at Pentanet Stadium at 2.40pm on Saturday afternoon to host East Perth in a massive derby. 

West Perth must win to be any chance of playing finals while then also hoping Claremont loses to Perth or Peel is annihilated by Swan Districts. However, East Perth has the chance to finish in the top two with a win as well should Subiaco lose to East Fremantle.

Speaking of that Lions and Sharks battle, they clash at 2.40pm at Leederville Oval with top spot in the WAFL going on the line. East Fremantle comes into the game in top spot and on an eight-game winning streak, and will guarantee a first minor premiership since 1998 with the win.

However, the Lions can replace them in top spot and earn the week off in the first weekend of the finals should they prevail by 33 points or more against the Sharks.

WAFL TEAM OF THE WEEK – ROUND 19

ROUND 19 WAFL WRAP

The final round of the Colts sees all four matches take place on Saturday morning with Swan Districts and Peel Thunder battling at 9.10am with both teams out of the finals hunt. 

At the same time, top spot will be decided with Claremont hosting Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium with the winner to claim the minor premiership.

Then at 9.40am, Subiaco hosts East Fremantle with third position up for grabs before West Perth plays East Perth with the Falcons guaranteed of finishing fifth and the Royals two games further back.

The last round in the Reserves will also begin at 11.40am at Steel Blue Oval with Swan Districts taking on Peel Thunder with Swans having the chance to lock away second position with the victory.

Also at 11.40am, Claremont will be at home to Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium with the Tigers having the chance to lock away third spot, and even move up into second should Swans fail to beat the Thunder.

Then at 12.10pm, Subiaco will play East Fremantle at Leederville Oval with both teams gearing up for their finals campaign in the Reserves while West Perth then plays East Perth with the Falcons already locked away in top spot and the Royals out of the finals mix.

WEST COAST EAGLES v SOUTH FREMANTLE – SATURDAY 10.30AM

SWAN DISTRICTS v PEEL THUNDER – SATURDAY 2.10PM

CLAREMONT v PERTH – SATURDAY 2.10PM

SUBIACO v EAST FREMANTLE – SATURDAY 2.40PM

WEST PERTH v EAST PERTH – SATURDAY 2.40PM