Week 1 Finals Colts Wrap

SWAN Districts' colts have booked in a second semi-final meeting with Subiaco after beating Peel Thunder on Sunday while East Fremantle kept its 2018 season alive with a derby win over South Fremantle on Saturday.

The 2018 WAFL Finals Series got underway on Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval and that began with a colts elimination final with East Fremantle taking on South Fremantle.

East Fremantle proved too strong going on to win 18.7 (115) to 8.5 (53) to keep its season alive and end the campaign of South Fremantle.

Then in the colts qualifying final at Claremont Oval on Sunday morning, Swan Districts defeated Peel Thunder 9.7 (61) to 7.10 (52).

The results in the opening week of the finals mean that this Sunday, Subiaco will host Swan Districts in a second semi-final at Leederville Oval with a place in the 2018 Grand Final at Optus Stadium on the line.

The first semi-final will take place at Joondalup Arena between Peel Thunder and East Fremantle.

The winner of the first semi-final will go on to take on the loser of the second semi-final in a preliminary final the following Sunday. While the loser between the Thunder and Sharks will see their season come to an end.

QUALIFYING FINAL

PEEL THUNDER v SWAN DISTRICTS

Peel Thunder and Swan Districts did battle at Claremont Oval on Sunday morning for the right to face Subiaco in the following Sunday's colts second semi-final.

Peel had finished the home and away season in second position with a 12-6 record while Swan Districts secured third position in the colts in the final round with a good win against Claremont and East Fremantle losing at home to South Fremantle at the same time.

Both teams had earned the finals double chance because of their strong seasons but the path to a Grand Final would conceivably be considerably easier for the winner of Sunday's contest on neutral turf at Claremont Oval.

Swans came out and started in tremendous form kicking the only three goals of the opening quarter before Peel did get back into the game in the second term.

The Thunder kicked three goals to two in the second quarter to be within five points of Swan Districts at half-time.

Swans remained on top through the third quarter, though, kicking two goals to one to be on top by 13 points still at three quarter-time.

Peel did fight back hard in the last term but Swan Districts stuck firm to record the 9.7 (61) to 7.10 (52) victory.

The win advances Swan Districts into this Sunday's second semi-final against Subiaco at Leederville Oval with a place in the Grand Final at Optus Stadium on the line.

Peel will now travel to Joondalup Arena on Sunday morning to play East Fremantle in the first semi-final looking to book in a preliminary final berth.

Jarrod Cameron kicked four goals in an exciting performance in attack for Swan Districts from eight kicks, seen marks and five tackles.

Atem Deng, Patrick Farrant, Riley Garcia, Nathan Ireland and Ayden Cartwright were the other goal scorers for Peel.

Coming off making his league debut the week before, Mitchell Bain was best afield for Swan Districts finishing with 31 possessions, nine inside 50s, eight tackles and five marks.

Garcia also finished with 24 disposals, Joel Curtis 19, Blake Pescud 16, Seb Bright 16 (13 tackles), Joe Hinder 15 and Graydon Wilson 14.

Matthew Germs finished with 34 hit outs in the ruck.

Ben Middleton kicked three goals for Peel from six kicks, four marks and three tackles.

Jarrod Fazioli, Cameron Gavin, Lachlan Cullen and Killian Rawson were the other players to kick goals for the Thunder.

Lachlan Riley racked up 30 possessions for Peel, James Sturrock 29, Michael Randall 21, Jason Carter 20, Jarvis Pina 18 and Jake Howes 17.

ELIMINATION FINAL

EAST FREMANTLE v SOUTH FREMANTLE

South Fremantle had secured a finals berth by beating East Fremantle in the final round of the home and away season and denied the Sharks a top three finish and finals double chance in the process setting the stage for Saturday's elimination final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

On the back of that game the previous Saturday at East Fremantle Oval where the Bulldogs had to win in order to play finals but the added factor ended up being that through the percentage lost, the Sharks slipped from third to fourth position at the same time.

So East Fremantle certainly headed to Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday morning with their eyes on revenge but South Fremantle too deserved to be full of confidence following that victory over the same opponent.

For three quarters it was a tremendous hard fought contest as well with South Fremantle kicking three goals to two in the opening quarter to lead by eight points at quarter-time.

The Bulldogs continued their impressive form with another three goals to two in the second term too to head into half-time with a 13-point advantage.

East Fremantle fired back with a huge third quarter, though, kicking seven goals to two to end up with a 19-point lead at three quarter-time.

The Sharks then continued that momentum going with another seven unanswered goals in the last quarter to end up winning 18.7 (115) to 8.5 (53).

The win advances East Fremantle to this Sunday's first semi-final against Peel Thunder at Joondalup Arena.

The loss ends a brave and encouraging season by South Fremantle's colts with a whole host of talent who will go on to either end up on AFL lists or be league footballers with the Bulldogs.

Dillon O'Reilly was superb for East Fremantle finishing with six goals to go with 19 possessions and nine marks.

Dylan Curley also kicked four goals for the Sharks, Edward Curley two and Cody Smith two with Leroy Pigram, Corey Robinson, Ethan Brown and Nick Watson adding one apiece.

Milan Murdock racked up 26 possessions for East Fremantle while laying 14 tackles as Robinson finished with 26 disposals, Jeremy Sharp 24, Trey Ruscoe 20, Trent Rivers 19 and Jai Jackson 15.

Luke Moore kicked five goals for South Fremantle from nine kicks and five marks with Ira Jetta, Lachlan Johnson and Nash Miller also kicking a goal apiece.

James Russell amassed 26 possessions for the Bulldogs, Kyle Hamersley 25, Matthew Ward 22, Tom Blechynden 15, Jack Musika 14, Josh Grant 14 and Angus McKay 14 (23 hit outs).