G’day people! How good is finals footy?
At Optus Stadium on Friday night it was Luke Jackson leading the Dockers to a prelim, then yesterday we saw the grand finalists decided in the WAFL in a thriller
Before we get into everything, a quick announcement: Jumper Punches will be doing a live pre-game pop-up at the WAFL grand final this Sunday at Optus Stadium.
We’re teaming up with our major partners Sullivan Logistics and setting up in their Sports Deck with a DJ, haircuts from our mates at Soulsbys Barbers and giveaways for subscribers including Jumper Punches caps, footies, Varsity vouchers and more
So if you’re headed to the game, drop in beforehand and say g’day
In today’s newsletter: Wharfie Time, Serong’s leadership, the Eagles get off the mark, Freo defy some hefty AFLW injuries, two of the WAFL’s best backs go at it, and a derby colts GF.
Let’s get stuck in.
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FREMANTLE
Dockers 18.12 (120) def Cats 16.10 (106)
Get some Wharfie Time into you.
The bounce back was inevitable. The only question was if it would be enough against an experienced Geelong outfit. The fast start seemed to answer the question. The late third-quarter blitz put a full stop on it.
That blitz was led by Luke Jackson and it’s not the first time he’s led a third-quarter blitz in an important final at Optus Stadium. The last time he did it, he left the ground a premiership player with Melbourne in 2021. Here are his Q3 stats from Friday night: eight disposals, two goals, one goal assist, four clearances.
Interesting tidbit from this yarn by Eliza Reilly about Caleb Serong’s leadership during the week. Corey Wagner said Serong took the chance to speak to the group about his own failure early in the week: “He said he was selfish and he wanted to win so badly that he went away from enjoying football and being a leader. He’s the one who leads the way with that openness and vulnerability. Everyone else could take a leaf out of his book and a weight off their shoulders.”
Bring on Sydney this Friday.
WEST COAST AFLW
Eagles 6.10 (46) def Lions 6.5 (41)
A genuine turn-up. The Eagles win their first game of the year and it’s the first time they have ever beaten Brisbane in the AFLW.
This may have been Ella Roberts’ best game yet. And she’s played some bloody good ones. Finished with a career-high 34 disposals, 11 clearances and eight tackles through the middle of the ground.
Former skipper Emma Swanson had some terrific moments in defence when her side needed someone to step up. Nine intercepts, mainly across half-back, and started some nice scoring chains as well.
Check this goal out:
FREMANTLE AFL
Dockers 5.7 (37) def Bombers 3.4 (22)
First win at Cockburn in the books for the Freo girls. Slightly harder than it had to be, but once they got on top they didn’t let the Bombers back into it.
Three of their four All-Australians from the past two seasons are now out injured. Mim Strom was a late withdrawal with soreness after copping a shoulder injury last week. Then Emma O’Driscoll went down in the first term with an ankle. With Aisling McCarthy still sidelined with a knee issue, that leaves only Gabby Newton fit from that quartet.
In the absence of O’Driscoll, we got a breakout game from Holly Egan. In the third game of her career, coming off an ACL injury, the defender peeled off at the right times to grab a game-high eight intercepts and used the ball well. One moment late had three efforts in the one passage of play. One to watch.
WAFL PRELIMINARY FINAL
Claremont 8.10 (58) def East Perth 7.8 (50)
We end up with the grand final we thought we would all season. Peel Thunder v Claremont next Sunday at Optus Stadium. Be there.
East Perth actually had the better of the contest in the final term, but couldn’t find a clear target inside 50. Goals on the rebound to Heath Mellody and a crazy finish by Tyson Headland were enough to get it done.
This game was a great display from two of the best young defenders in State League footy. For the winners, Jasper Peace played one of his best games of the season with nine marks and 17 touches. On the other end Jake Soutar had eight marks and cut off plenty of Tiger attacks. Both could make it at AFL level.
Speaking of best games this season - Oliver Eastland is already one of the best rucks in the comp, and when his opponent is a 17-year-old (regardless of how talented he is), the big Tiger will dine out. Eastland had 25 disposals, 35 hit-outs and a goal in a BOG performance. Axel Walsh didn't let himself down, but Eastland was too big and too good over four quarters.
WAFL COLTS PRELIM FINAL
South Fremantle 14.4 (88) def Claremont 9.7 (61)
We’ve got a Freo Derby grand final in the colts! The best two teams all season will meet in the decider on Sunday - it’s actually a twilight fixture, after the league decider at Optus Stadium.
Jack Mcauliffe (three goals, 16 disposals) and the tireless Chace Vanderhoek (24 disposals, one goal) were fantastic for the Bulldogs as they have been most of the season.
Harper Banfield won’t play in another grand final, but he did cap off an outstanding September run with another 25 disposals and eight tackles.
That’s us all caught up.
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Catch you next week.