Firstly well done to the Swans WAFLW team for making the Grand Final this weekend when they will be playing Claremont. They will be underdogs but its not the first time that Swans have gone into a decider against Claremont at long odds and turned it around! Good luck ladies!
Meanwhile the mens team have a chance to finish the season on a positive note at the scene of their famous Qualifying Final victory in 2024. How long ago does that seem now! Victory may actually see them finish 6th but still a massive 4 games outside the final 5. Don’t want to go on again about the issues facing the club because they have been raised endlessly by me and others during this long season, but suffice to say it has been a very disappointing season. I am still reeling a bit with the news that Aiden Clarke is finishing up on Saturday when he still has at least 5 years of good footy left at WAFL level IMO.
One of the few positives that I have gleaned from this year is the development of Ayden Cartwright into a regular league footballer. He has always had the potential and now he is playing consistently good football.
As for the club, hopefully this season will be reviewed honestly and realistically (not leaning on injuries as an excuse) and look at some change of approach and personnel because the current methodology is not working
Danger, not doubting your source because you seem to have contacts with people in the inner sanctum, however I just read an article on Aiden Clarkes 100th and he seemed to indicate that he would be back in 2026? Maybe Aiden has only indicated his wishes privately to close contacts??
colts finals battle going down to last quarter. 2 places between Swans, Perth and West Perth. At the moment West Perth are leading 2nd placed Sharks by 7 points, Swans leading Peel by 16 and Perth are losing to Subiaco by 8. If Perth come back and beat Subiaco it and the other results stay the same it will come down to percentage between them and Swans and the Demons have about a 3 goal advantage in that at the moment.
Update Swans and Perths percentage almost identical, Perth only 4 points behind Subiaco now, about 20 mins to go in both games! Lots of nervous checking of moblle phones no doubt, Swans pulling further ahead of Peel, Perth need to get in front and get a bit of a margin. Looks like West Perth are holding on.
Perth lost to Subiaco so its West Perth and Swans to play next week. Well done to the lads for making the finals and no doubt they will have Leon Kickett back next week
Credit to the guys they gave it a good crack in the first half but were gassed by the main break. Too many big, strong fast AFL trained players who prevailed easily in the end. Pity that Aiden Clarke couldn’t celebrate his 100th with a win but thats life. I think the players are as relieved to see the back of this season as the supporters
Sad way for Swans to finish the season. Had high hopes for the Black and whites in this match. Only a goal down at the long break. But sadly their scoring of only 10 points for the second half doesn’t cut the cheese. Hopefully the club can have a good pre-season, with injured players all recovered and crack on with the 2026 fixtures.
WAG there were 12 Dockers players in that Peel team this afternoon, some were playing for possible spots in the AFL finals should Fremantle make it. Swans battled hard in the first half but understandably ran out of gas in the 2nd. The teams in the top 5 should be thankful that Peel are not there this year because they are always capable of getting on a roll like they did last season
Was that Nathan Blakely’s last game today and did he want go out by playing alongside his brother. He wouldn’t have been dropped on last weeks effort. Don’t think he qualifies for reserve finals. If it was, I would have preferred they both played league.
I was told that it was Doc’s request to play with his brother. I understand, and no one has tried harder than Doc this year, but it did not sit well with me.
You could only assume that he played the last game to qualify for reserves finals, does anyone know of the minimum games ? And if it wasn’t then once again it brings into question the selection integrity that has been apparent all season.
If it is 3 games then there will be a number of returning players for the reserves finals run. Smith, Fitzgerald, Cartwright, Yukich, Harvey, Cotelessa, Kane, Hilton.
5 game minimum Danger so Doc doesnt qualify but Conor does. Ayden Cartwright has also played 7 so he can play. Others qualified include Cotellesa, Fitzgerald, Harvey, Kane, Kelly, Tom Smith, Luke Taylor and Yukich. Hilton has only played 4 according to the WAFL website
I suppose the other question is whether Leon Kickett could play for the ressies in week 2 of the finals if the Colts get knocked out this week?