CLAREMONT asserted its dominance over Swan Districts to advance to the grand final with a win on Sunday while East Perth continued its amazing form to beat East Fremantle and qualify for the preliminary final.
Claremont finished as minor premiers to earn a home second semi-final at Claremont Oval and took advantage beating Swan Districts 17.17 (119) to 10.9 (69) to move one step closer to a first premiership since 1996.
East Perth has now won seven straight games after a disastrous start to 2010 and won a terrific contest with East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval 15.12 (102) to 13.10 (88).
That sets up what should be a cracking preliminary final at Steel Blue Oval between Swan Districts and East Perth as they vie for a grand final spot against Claremont.
THE WINNERS
Claremont once again proved why it has dominated the 2010 season with a polished performance to beat Swan Districts comfortably on Sunday. The Tigers didn’t have a player that didn’t make a contribution to the victory and that evenness has been a big part of their rise this season.
Claremont finished eighth in both the last two years, but its rapid rise to minor premiers and now grand finalists has been down to outstanding coaching by Simon McPhee and a playing group that plays to the game plan and works hard for each other.
Goals aren’t proving to be a problem without Bernie Naylor Medallist Chad Jones either or with Ian Richardson quiet with Andrew Foster, David Crawford, Jarrod Ninyette and Simon Starling all performing well.
East Perth started 2010 disastrously falling to a 2-7 record, but has hit back tremendously to have now won seven straight games and remarkably find itself in a preliminary final with a realistic chance of making a grand final.
The Royals are playing with enormous spirit and heart, which allowed them to fight back from a five-goal deficit early in the game at Shark Park to win by 14 points on the back of Zach Beeck dominating the ruck, the defence being rock solid and Ben McKinley (pictured) kicking six goals.
THE LOSERS
Swan Districts had a disappointing outing on Claremont Oval for the second time in four weeks meaning it has lost by a total of 123 points in those two games, but the black-and-whites still have another chance to make the grand final via this week's preliminary final at home.
With young ruckman Luke Adams injuring his ankle early and Matt Riggio, Brett Robinson, Llane Spaanderman, Ash Hansen, Graham Jetta, Tony Notte, Justin Simpson, Clayton Hinkley and Clancee Pearce all well down also, there's plenty of natural improvement in the Swans' team.
Ryan Davis and Ben Colreavy could also return this week to add some further bite to the line-up.
East Fremantle gave its all against East Perth with seven goals to three in the opening quarter and then to lead again at three quarter-time, but couldn’t quite get over the line despite another surge late in the game into the breeze.
The Sharks can certainly hold their heads up high for a tremendous season, though, with young players Jamie Cripps, Kym Monteath, Andrew Stephen, Scott Horsburgh, Alex Fasolo, Lewis Fasolo, Jacob Brennan, Selby Lee-Steere, Jack Perham and Luke Foster showing exciting signs for the future.
Captain Kasey Green (pictured) worked hard up-forward in the final match of a decorated career that saw him play 122 games with East Fremantle, 54 with West Coast and 39 with North Melbourne.
THE SHINING LIGHTS
Claremont didn’t have a player that didn’t perform strongly with Luke Blackwell (pictured) leading the way in the middle with 30 possessions. Kane Mitchell also had 27 touches, Ryan Brabazon 23, Lewis Stevenson 22 and Rory Walton 20.
The forward-line functioned well to kick 17 goals led by five from Andrew Foster, four from David Crawford and 
two each from Jarrod Ninyette and Simon Starling.
Andrew Krakouer led the way for Swan Districts with 31 possessions, eight entries inside-50 and a goal. Stephen Coniglio also defied being just 16 years of age to finish with 26 disposals with Tom Roach also picking up 24, Matt Spencer 24 and Wayde Twomey 24.
Ash Hansen was the only multiple goal scorer with two while Tallan Ames and Luke Pratt were outstanding in defence.
Zach Beeck dominated in the ruck for East Perth to finish with 21 disposals, 46 hit outs and a goal in an outstanding performance. Craig Wulff racked up 29 possessions on the wing and Brendan Lee 25 in the middle with good help from Daniel Macaulay (22), Aaron Sweet (22) and Brendan Hancock (21).
Ben McKinley did well to kick six goals with Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls three and Zac Clarke two. Even more impressive was East Perth's rock solid defence led by Luke Webster, Luke Sampey, Mark Deaves and Jye Keath.
Pat Travers also returned from suspension to do well limiting Kym Monteath to 15 possessions and picking up 16 himself while kicking a goal.
Mark McGough (31 possessions), Jamie McNamara (30) and Jamie Cripps (23) were the three outstanding East Fremantle performers on the day. Veteran Leith Teakle also worked tirelessly for 17 touches and a good long goal.
Rhys Palmer tried hard for 21 disposals and two goals, Steven Dodd had 21 touches in defence and Andrew Stephen was good across half-back opposed to Michael Swan.
MINOR GRADES
Claremont's reserves joined its league team in the grand final with a 19.11 (125) to 13.12 (90) win over East Fremantle. Jake Murphy was brilliant with 38 possessions and two goals with Henry Roberts picking up 27 touches, Brad Nisbett 26 and Patrick Brennan 24.
Dylan Ross, Keifer Yu and Tom Willett kicked three goals each.
East Fremantle's reserves will now have to go through the preliminary final but it wasn’t due to lack of trying from Conor Davidson (27 possessions), Rhys Cooyou (21), Liam McGuire (17) and Corey Yeo (17). Michael Griffiths and James Murray kicked three goals each.
East Perth's reserves fought out a thriller to beat West Perth 11.9 (75) to 10.9 (69). Fred Clutterbuck, Aidan Fraser, Cameron Grover and Jamie Birrell did well through the middle for the Royals while Jamie Del Borrello kicked four goals and Tim Noakes and Rowan Brookes two.
Alex James had 30 disposals for West Perth, Shaun Bewick 25, Jay Tindall 23, Nick Carney 22 and Aaron Black 20.
East Fremantle's colts got over Claremont in a thrilling second semi-final to advance to the grand final with a 11.13 (79) to 10.10 (70) win.
Cameron Eardley was brilliant with 33 possessions with Mitchell Boyle picking up 22, Sam Menagola 22, Aiden Tropiano 21 and Max Duffy kicked two goals as did Jacob Pallister.
Jack Bradshaw had 34 possessions for Claremont and Thomas Ledger 27 with Ben O'Regan and Jeremy McGovern kicking two goals apiece.
Peel's colts remained alive to advance to the preliminary final beating Swan Districts 15.14 (104) to 9.6 (60). Brennan Gillam had 24 possessions, Kieran Butcher 21 (pictured), Joel Beasley 19 and Liam McKenna 17. Lincoln Lawler kicked three goals.
Matthew Outridge was best for Swans with 24 possessions while Raymond Daniels and Isiah Stevens kicked two goals each.
