South Fremantle coach Craig White says their elimination final defeat to East Perth mirrored their season as a whole after their premiership defence ended on Sunday.
Mitchell Woodcock
South Fremantle’s premiership defence is over, with East Perth extracting grand final revenge with a thrilling five-point victory in Sunday’s elimination final.
East Perth have pulled a selection shock, recalling key forward Tom Graham for their cut-throat elimination final against reigning premiers South Fremantle on Sunday.
Ahead of the first week of the WAFL finals, The West Australian’s Mitchell Woodcock goes in-depth on each team in contention for the 2026 premiership in an all-you-need-to-know preview.
East Perth’s hopes of avoiding an early exit this finals series have been boosted by the return of star ruckman Scott Jones for their elimination final clash against South Fremantle on Sunday.
South Fremantle captain Chad Pearson has backed his side to be able to run the gauntlet and win four consecutive finals to claim consecutive premierships for the first time in more than 50 years.
Count out the reigning premiers at your own peril after South Fremantle produced their best performance of the season at the perfect time on Saturday.
Jack Penniment
The reigning champs have kept their premiership defence alive with a nail biting four point win over the minor premiers Peel.
South Fremantle’s hopes of claiming consecutive premierships have been dealt a massive blow with an ankle injury set to sideline key defender Noah Strom for the rest of the season.
Reigning premier South Fremantle already has the blueprint for success if they can squeeze into this year’s hotly-contested WAFL finals, according to star forward Trey Ruscoe.
Spencer Robertson
A third-quarter blitz from South Fremantle ensured they ruined East Fremantle’s first true home derby in years, claiming a gritty 34-point victory at The Good Grocer Park on Saturday.
An injury-hit Claremont have turned to draft prospects Heath Mellody and George Gale to help them lock away a top three spot, handing the pair league debuts for their clash against Subiaco.
West Coast has given next-generation academy prospect Garrison Kenh an audition to make their AFL list after he was named to play in their WAFL side against Subiaco on Saturday. SEE THE FULL TEAMS HERE
There is still life in West Coast’s slim hopes of returning to the WAFL finals for the first time since 2019 after a shock 19-point win against reigning premiers South Fremantle on Sunday.
South Fremantle are hopeful star Matt Parker will be available for the grand final rematch against East Perth next month after another hamstring injury.
South Fremantle mounted a late comeback to charge to their third victory in a row, downing Swan Districts by 11 points at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.
Josh Kempton
Fremantle Next Generation Academy prospect Josh Nathan will become the 14th league debutant for East Fremantle this year as the club continues to battle injury.
Momentum will be key to South Fremantle’s hopes of claiming consecutive premierships for the first time in 72 years, according to coach Craig White.
South Fremantle proved there is life in their premiership defence yet, claiming a vital 11-point victory against Claremont in one of the best games of the season.
East Fremantle’s hopes of an upset against powerhouse ladder leaders Peel Thunder have been hindered by the loss of star midfielder Tom Joyce for the crucial clash.
South Fremantle have overcome a late charge to return to the winners' list in a thrilling finish at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday Afternoon.
James Palumbo
History beckons for Peel Thunder as they look for a record eighth consecutive victory when they host Claremont in a top-of-the-table clash down in Mandurah on Saturday.
The reigning premiers have been stunned by a third-quarter Perth onslaught as the Demons broke a six-game losing streak against South Fremantle spanning back to 2023.
A calf injury has sidelined Sandover medallist Bailey Rogers for Claremont’s crucial clash against East Fremantle at The Good Grocer Park on Saturday.
