WAFL Insider: East Fremantle finals omen, Milan Murdock’s return and Subiaco’s physicality

East Fremantle booked a ticket to the 2023 grand final with a tense five-point win over Peel Thunder. And Subiaco sent Claremont packing with a 39-point win.

Is history repeating?

There’s a nice piece of synergy underlining East Fremantle’s premiership campaign.

The last time the Sharks won a grand final was back in 1998. In that year, East Fremantle finished minor premiers, enjoyed a week off then won its semi-final against West Perth to proceed directly into the decider.

In 2023? The Sharks finished minor premiers and defeated Peel Thunder after a week off to progress into the grand final.

We’re officially on omen watch but that slice of history is certainly on East Fremantle’s side.

Murdock back in the nick of time

East Fremantle midfielder Milan Murdock has timed his return from injury perfectly.

Viewed as one of the best midfielders in the WAFL this season, an AC shoulder injury in round 14 ruled him out for six weeks.

Murdock managed to return in time for the final game of the home and away season, East Fremantle opting to ease him back via the reserves. But back in the Sharks’ league side against Peel Thunder, the 23-year-old was comfortably one of East Fremantle’s best with a game-high 31 disposals.

Fellow midfielder Jarrad Jansen was a late out for East Fremantle with knee soreness. It caused some serious nerves in the Sharks’ coaching box considering Peel’s oversupply of big-bodied midfielders left East Fremantle one short.

But what Murdock lacks in size, standing at 180cm, he makes up for with his competitiveness, clearance work and feistiness. Murdock also had seven tackles and five marks to go with his prolific, matchwinning performance.

Jansen is expected to be fit to return in the grand final.

No Blight on Jacob

After struggling to get a league game at Claremont last season, Blight has been one of Peel Thunder’s big improvers this season.

Against East Fremantle’s star-studded forward line, he was Peel’s best on the day, taking some strong marks in defence and fighting hard to stop the Sharks’ from getting any aerial dominance.

Returning Sharks’ spearhead Jono Marsh had just six kicks and no goals thanks to Blight’s intervention while Hugh Dixon was the only East Fremantle tall to really get off the chain with a game-high two goals.

Working in tandem with Docker Joel Hamling, the pair are a formidable and reliable force in defence.

Clash of the Big Cats

Subiaco’s physicality was a big issue for Claremont.

The Lions devised a clear plan to attack the contest and bully the Tigers’ key movers, with two-time Sandover medallist Jye Bolton a prime target.

Subiaco elevated Jaimon Alone from the reserves to start on Bolton in the midfield. But in an attempt to shake the tag, Bolton went to Lions captain Leigh Kitchin at stoppages instead.

Bolton got a goal from the additional attention, converting a free kick in the second quarter. But the 31-year-old finished with just 13 disposals, his lowest tally since round three, also against Subiaco.

Claremont people will complain about the treatment Bolton got off the ball. But you could argue his Tigers’ teammates didn’t do enough to help him.

Attention will now turn to Bolton’s future given there’s some speculation the WAFL star was weighing up retirement. But given his performance in the Sandover medal count, Bolton is still one of the best players in the competition and he’d be more than justified to play on in pursuit of an elusive premiership.

Subiaco’s worst fears alleviated

A third quarter Claremont comeback would’ve raised some heart rates within the Subiaco camp.

The Lions threatened to bury the Tigers with a powerful second quarter but simply couldn’t find the middle of the goals. Subiaco had 13 inside 50s for six points in the second term. And by the time Kitchin finally kicked the Lions’ sixth goal in the 11th minute of the third quarter, Subiaco had kicked nine consecutive points.

The Tigers piled on five-straight goals in the third quarter to get to within six points at the final change. But despite a concerning fade out against Peel Thunder a week earlier, the Lions returned the favour and kicked five goals in an electric final term, keeping Claremont scoreless.

Gowdie gone begging

There were times Claremont’s Kieran Gowdie thought that injury would get the best of him in 2023. And unfortunately for the 200cm big man, the prospect of a fairytale finals campaign was cut down by an ankle issue.

The 21-year-old didn’t play a game this season until round 17, battling firstly a torn meniscus and then stress fractures in his back.

But the stars finally aligned and after two games in the reserves, Gowdie was elevated into Claremont’s finals-bound league side, kicking three goals in the final round of the home and away season against Perth.

Gowdie’s presence was crucial, playing the role vacated by mid-season draft pick Jack Buller as the Tigers’ key forward target and supporting ruck.

But an ankle injury in the second quarter limited Gowdie’s output, finishing with just one touch and four hit-outs.

Claremont’s key forward stocks is an area that needs addressing in the off-season after injuries to Max Minear (foot) and Steven Miller (hamstring) left the Tigers without a genuine target.