Claremont defeat East Fremantle by three points in thrilling WAFLW grand final to complete Sharks, Tigers trilogy
If the sequel was just as good as the original, then the third instalment should settle one of the great all-time WAFLW rivalries as Claremont prevail over East Fremantle in the 2024 decider, writes ELIZA REILLY.
If the sequel was just as good as the original, then the third instalment should settle one of the great all-time WAFLW rivalries.
Claremont are your 2024 WAFLW premiers, defeating East Fremantle by three points in a heart-stopper at Pentanet Stadium.
The two best teams of the last three years, the Tigers and Sharks were drawn at one premiership apiece after two classic encounters. East Fremantle went through the entire season undefeated but lost to Claremont in 2022. The tables were turned in 2023. But this year, both sides tried to claim underdog status, having dropped games at various stages of the home and away season.
In one of the great pieces of grand final theatre, East Fremantle, after being down all game, kicked ahead in the final quarter courtesy of Alicia Blizard. The goal, a dribbler out the back, put the Sharks three points up with six and a half minutes to play.
But there was one more twist to come. Rachel Ortlepp returned serve with a frenetic goal in congestion, restoring Claremont’s three-point lead with two and a half minutes to play and delivering coach Jack Schwarze his second premiership in three years. Injured for the majority of the season, Ortlepp didn’t play her first game until the final round of the home and away season. Yet when it mattered, she was the hero. Her co-captain Adele Arnup had her moment in the dying seconds, taking a two-on-one contested mark to all but seal the game.
The result was a 3.2 (20) to 2.5 (17) win to Claremont, cementing its status as the best team of the modern era. And while conditions threatened to stifle the two most skilful outfits this season, it paved the way for a physical, engrossing and contested battle.
It suited Jayme Harken. Crowned the best player in the WAFLW on Monday night with her second consecutive Dhara Kerr medal, Harken was simply sensational. The Tigers star capped off her week with the Lou Knitter medal for best on ground, finishing with 22 disposals, 12 of which were contested, seven clearances and four tackles. She set the Tigers in motion with a dominant quarter and finally, after years at the pinnacle of the competition, she’s a premiership player.
While Harken was the headline act, she had a handy deputy in Juliet Kelly. Still only 17, Kelly was handed the most daunting task in football. Just like the qualifying final a fortnight ago, she was sent to number one pick prospect Zippy Fish. Kelly was good two weeks ago but her role was crucial on Sunday, limiting Fish to 15 touches and a goal.
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Fish threatened to win the game for the Sharks in the final term, bursting out of the centre with the opening clearance. If East Fremantle had prevailed, the Lou Knitter medal might’ve been the latest accolade in a cabinet full. But Kelly’s work across the first three quarters couldn’t be denied, incredible when considering that she’s also a national rower.
The Tigers had stars in every line. Kate Orme (17 disposals, seven clearances) held down her wing. AFLW Academy talent Claudia Wright (13 touches, three marks) was impassable down back. And Bec Anderson (1.2, two marks) threatened to break the game open up forward and was physical throughout.
With several Claremont players expected to retire from WAFLW duties ahead of next season, it’s a fitting finish to a blue and yellow dynasty … a trilogy that was deserving of this thrilling final chapter.
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