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Optus WAFL Grand Final Preview
YOU could say it is the WAFL Grand Final four years in the making and now after being the top two teams for four seasons straight, Subiaco and South Fremantle get to meet to decide the 2019 premiership this Sunday at Optus Stadium.
In each of the past four WAFL seasons Subiaco has finished on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season with South Fremantle in second place, but now in 2019 it's the first time they have both capitalised on those positions to end up in a Grand Final.
Subiaco has gone further than that and taken out the minor premiership for five straight seasons now and the Lions are embarking on a sixth successive Grand Final appearance and looking to add to the premierships of 2014, 2015 and 2018 that they have won along that dominant stretch.
WAFL Reserves Grand Final Preview
CLAREMONT and West Perth finished first and second at the end of the season in the reserves so it's only fitting it's the Tigers and Falcons fighting out for the premiership on Sunday morning at Optus Stadium.
A monster day of celebration of West Australian football is planned for Sunday at Optus Stadium to conclude the 2019 WAFL season and it all gets underway with the Reserves Grand Final between Claremont and West Perth.
The game will begin at 8.40am and for those not yet in attendance at Optus Stadium that early or who might not be able to make it at all during the day, it will be available to be watched on livestream from wafl.com.au and the WAFL Facebook page.
Curley wants Bulldogs players to experience what he did
PRELIMINARY Final days might have caused him plenty of pain over the past 30 years, but Grand Finals have much better memories for South Fremantle coach Todd Curley and he's hoping his Bulldogs players create their own lifelong fulfilment this Sunday.
Not only had South Fremantle lost the last three WAFL preliminary finals to Peel Thunder in 2016, Subiaco in 2017 and West Perth in 2018, but that continued a history of heartbreak on that second last weekend for Curley that stretches way back.
While at West Perth as a player his preliminary final experiences were fruitful beating Subiaco in 1993, the Lions again in 2002 and then East Perth in 2003, the memories of the devastating losses in the AFL with the Western Bulldogs in 1997 and 1998 were shattering for all involved.
New-look Subiaco machine keeps rolling under Wardman
HIS coaching career couldn’t have got off to a better start but for Subiaco coach Beau Wardman, he knows that the Lions being favourites or what they've done leading into Sunday's Grand Final guarantees them nothing.
The Wardman story to now coaching a team in a WAFL Grand Final is a remarkable one. Having decided to embark on a coaching career after a previous life as a field umpire in the game, Wardman took on a challenging role with the Subiaco colts for the 2017 season.
But by the end of 2018, the Lions were celebrating a colts premiership on top of making history with the league and reserves flags of last year before Jarrad Schofield returned to the AFL system to take on an assistant coaching role at Port Adelaide.
Optus WAFL Grand Final Day - Around the Grounds
The Optus WAFL Grand Final will be played between Subiaco and South Fremantle at 2.40pm this Sunday, September 22 at Optus Stadium.
Key Event Info
Adults $25
Concession $20
Junior $5
8.40am – Reserves Grand Final - Claremont v West Perth
11.40am – Simply Energy Colts Grand Final – Peel Thunder v Claremont
2.40pm – Optus WAFL Grand Final - Subiaco v South Fremantle
Simply Energy WAFL Colts Grand Final broadcast live on Channel 7
Optus WAFL Grand Final broadcast live on Channel 7, ABC Radio, 6PR & SportFM
The Optus Family Zone
The Optus Family Zone at the WAFL Grand Final this Sunday will be the place to be pre-match with heaps of great entertainment and freebies for the kids. This fun-filled zone will be open from 12.00pm - 3.00pm outside The Camfield.
To celebrate the newly-released Abominable movie and Optus WAFL Grand Final between Subiaco and South Fremantle, the Optus Family Zone will be action packed including kids face-painting, colouring-in stations and heaps of games for the kids to play pre-match. Come early for giveaways, the chance to win movie tickets and much more thanks to Optus Perks.
You can even meet the lovable star of the movie Abominable, Everest, at the Optus Family Zone. Join us at the following times for a special photo with the cheeky Yeti all the way from the Himalayas:
12.00pm – 12.30pm
1.00pm – 1.30pm
2.00pm – 2.30pm
Optus Perks is also offering you the chance to win a family adventure to Shanghai thanks to Abominable. Head to Optus Perks or download the Optus Stadium app to find out more.
And if that wasn't enough, goal-kicking star, and Dockers and Adelaide Crows footy legend, Tony Modra will be making a star appearance between 12.00pm - 12.30pm.
Also don’t forget to download the official Optus Stadium app to be game-day ready. The app is your go-to for finding your way around the stadium, food & drink options and more great prizes thanks to our naming rights partner, Optus.
Game Day Activities
Make sure you arrive at Optus Stadium nice and early on Sunday with the kids to check out all the following activities:
Simply Energy will be handing out 1,000 free footballs so get in quick! You can also vote for your favourite WAFL club to earn them $10,000.
Bupa will be on hand for free health insurance check ups so visit their marquee and make sure you are getting the best deal on your policy.
O2Fit Compression Wear will be set up alongside the Kidz n Sport crew to entertain kids with all kinds of sporting activities.
Kia will have a brand new Kia Stinger on display and a photo booth. Plus you can sign up and register to race on field at Optus Stadium in their Beat the Sting competition. You just need to Beat The Sting and you walk away with a brand new Kia Stinger!
Grand Cinemas will be handing out heaps of movie passes and the crew from Nova 93.7 will be pumping out the tunes with heaps of giveaways.
Grab a Pie and Coca-Cola. Head inside the stadium and treat yourself to a Mrs Macs Famous Beef Pie and 600ml Coca-Cola for only $7.90
Simply Energy WAFL Colts Grand Final Preview
AFTER an incredible season in the WAFL Simply Energy Colts, Peel Thunder plays Claremont at Optus Stadium on Sunday with the 2019 premiership at stake
The game will bounce down on Sunday with the scheduled start time of 11:40am.
The Thunder are out for redemption after being beaten by 22 points at the hands of Swan Districts in the 2018 preliminary final, while the Tigers are aiming to claim their fourth Colts premiership from seven Grand Finals this decade.
Delahunty pips perennially unlucky Horsley for Sandover
WHILE his teammate Kyal Horsley likely cemented his place as the Sandover Medal's unluckiest player in WAFL history, that shouldn’t diminish the fact that Lachlan Delahunty deserved the honour having likely taken on the position as the competition's best player in 2019.
It was quite the thrilling vote count to determine the winner of the Sandover Medal at Optus Stadium on Monday night as the week builds up to what shapes as a fascinating WAFL Grand Final on Sunday at the same venue between Subiaco and South Fremantle.
The vote count reverted back to a 3-2-1 system and in the end it wasn’t until the very last round of a 20-week home and away season until the winner was determined with three players still eligible entering the last round.
Delahunty claims 2019 WAFL Sandover Medal
Lachlan Delahunty from Subiaco Football Club was named 2019 Sandover Medallist at the vote count at Optus Stadium tonight, Monday September 16, with a total of 28 votes.
Delahunty finished the count one vote ahead of Subiaco teammate Kyal Horsley on 27 votes, and previous Sandover Medal winners Kane Mitchell (24 votes) and Jye Bolton (22 votes), from Claremont.
Sandover Medal LIVESTREAM
THE West Australian Football League will honour the 2019 Optus WAFL Premiership Season’s fairest and best player when the Sandover Medal is presented in the River View Room at Optus Stadium on Monday night, September 16.
The Sandover Medal, which has been awarded each season since 1921, will be presented by Ian Sandover, great grandson of the original donor of the medal, Mr Alfred Sandover.
This year, voting has reverted to a 3-2-1 system, with multiple medals to be awarded in the case of a tie. Assuming a sole winner, the 109th Sandover Medal will be presented.
In 2019 the count will be livestreamed on the WAFL Facebook and Website throughout the evening.
Tune in below from 7.00pm for all the action and drama of the WA Football's night of nights.
Updates will also be posted throughout the night on WAFL social media accounts:
Twitter: @WAFLOfficial
Instagram: @waflofficial
Facebook: WAFL
#SandoverMedal
Optus WAFL Preliminary Final Wrap
SOUTH Fremantle has avoided making an unwanted slice of history by overpowering Claremont in a fiercely contested preliminary final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval winning by five goals to book in a Grand Final opportunity against Subiaco.
Having lost the previous three preliminary finals, South Fremantle would have become the first team in WAFL history to lose four in-a-row if Claremont had prevailed, and at half-time that looked well and truly on the cards.
Despite appearing no real reason for it, all the scoring in the first three quarters went to the Fremantle Hospital end of Fremantle Community Bank Oval.
Simply Energy Preliminary Final Colts Wrap
CLAREMONT has long been the powerhouse of the WAFL Colts competition and the Tigers are into another Grand Final in 2019 booking their place against Peel Thunder with a preliminary final win against West Perth.
Claremont and West Perth did battle in the preliminary final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday morning and even though they had to come from behind, the Tigers ended up beating the Falcons 9.12 (66) to 6.9 (45).
The win sees Claremont advance to next Sunday's Grand Final against Peel Thunder at Optus Stadium in what shapes as a tremendous decider for the 2019 colts premiership.
Hamp to make most of long preliminary final wait
HAVING been ever so close to Claremont's last period of WAFL dominance, Anton Hamp has had to change to being a defender and waited longer than he hoped, but now is desperate to make the most of being in another preliminary final.
Hamp was drafted by the West Coast Eagles and played his early football at Claremont as quite the impressive key forward and it seemed a natural that he would be the long-term replacement for the likes of Tom Lee, Chad Jones and even Beau Maister.
As Hamp was in the formative years of his career, it was quite the tough Claremont team to break into between 2010-2013 as they won four successive minor premierships, played in three straight Grand Finals and won back-to-back flags in 2011 and 2012.
Dent keeps proving his worth to Bulldogs
ZAC Dent was always confident he could make it as a WAFL footballer, all he needed was a chance and that has come his way with South Fremantle and he's grasping it with both hands to now be one win away from helping the Bulldogs to a Grand Final.
Growing up in Boyup Brook and playing his early football at Bridgetown, Dent played some impressive colts football at East Perth back in 2014 and then stepped up well to also deliver impressive reserves football in 2015 averaging 20.4 disposals a game.
But the alignment with the West Coast Eagles meant that a league opportunity didn’t come his way and disenchanted with the game, not only did Dent decide to leave the Royals and the WAFL system, but he stepped away from football altogether in 2016 and 2017.
East Fremantle claim Optus WAFLW crown
East Fremantle have claimed the inaugural Optus WAFLW Premiership after a hard-fought 33-point victory over Swan Districts at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.
The clubs second-straight flag was built off the back of a dominant three-goal second quarter, seeing the Sharks take a 25-point lead the long break.
Roxy Roux kicked the first goal of the final quarter to all but seal the victory for the women in blue, collecting the first-ever WAFLW Premiership.
The historic win was built off the back of midfield dominance, seeing the likes of Evie Gooch, Ashlee Atkins and Gabby O’Sullivan getting plenty of the ball.
Atkins goal on the quarter-time siren from a 50-metre free kick saw the momentum swing the way of the Sharks, before a classy checkside from O’Sullivan in the second pushed East Fremantle clear.
Stephanie Sparke added her second early in the third term, while Ashley Sharpe tried desperately for the Swans outfit with a goal of her own late in the quarter.
Despite a late challenge from the Swans, East Fremantle held firm in the last to run out 33-point victors.
Gabby O’Sullivan was awarded the Lou Knitter Medal for the best afield, while Gooch held the cup aloft as the captain of the East Fremantle side.
SCOREBOARD
EF: 2.1 5.3. 6.3. 8.3 (51)
SD: 0.1 1.2 3.2 4.4 (28)
BEST:
EF: O’Sullivan, Gooch, Roux, Atkins, Pluschke
SD: Strom, Cain, Sharp, Gibson, Bowen
GOALS
EF: Roux, Sparke 2, Tapner, Atkins, Ashley, O'Sullivan
SD: Gibson, M.Hyde, Davison, Sharp
Optus WAFL Preliminary Final Preview
PRECIOUS little has separated South Fremantle and Claremont right throughout the 2019 WAFL season and now it's only fitting they lock horns in Sunday's preliminary final for a place in the Grand Final.
The Bulldogs and Tigers went neck and neck over second position for much of the 2019 Optus WAFL Premiership Season with South Fremantle just managing to claim second position by finishing one game ahead.
But in the end, South Fremantle only held on to that second position by a goal which is what they beat West Perth by in the final round. Had they lost that game, Claremont had done enough to earn a superior percentage to claim second spot had they been on the same number of wins.
