EAST Fremantle has won all three preliminary finals at Steel Blue Oval to advance to the grand final in the colts, reserves and league following the senior team's 27-point victory over Swan Districts.East Fremantle will now play Claremont in the league grand final next Sunday at Patersons Stadium while also taking on Claremont in the reserves premiership decider and South Fremantle in a derby in the colts grand final.
CLICK HERE for Grand Final fixtures and ticket information.
All the attention was on the league preliminary final, though, and after making a bright start East Fremantle led by as much as 42 points in the third quarter and then withstood a Swan Districts fight back to end up winning 13.23 (101) to 11.8 (74).
The 27-point victory qualifies East Fremantle for its first grand final since the 2000 loss to East Perth with the Sharks aiming for a first premiership since 1998 against Claremont next Sunday.
After the Sharks led by 42 points late in the third quarter, Swan Districts kicked five consecutive goals either side of three quarter-time, with Ryan Davis playing a starring role, to close to within 13 points.
However, the Sharks steadied with late goals to Rory and Brock O'Brien to end up 27-point winners to advance to the grand final while Swan Districts bows out in straight sets after finishing in second position. It was a vast improvement on the six-win season of 2011 though.
East Fremantle did not have a player who didn’t make a good contribution and it was the one with the least on the stats sheet, West Coast defender Mitch Brown, who perhaps had the biggest impact of all as he held Ash Hansen to just one goal.
The whole East Fremantle defence was outstanding, though, with Steven Dodd doing well on Tim Geappen and Brad Cooper, Andrew Stephen and Tom Howlett offering tremendous support.
In the middle, captain Mark McGough was inspirational with his work rate all day to finish with 29 possessions. Wingman Sean Henson also had 26 touches and eight entries inside-50, Bradd Dalziell 28 disposals, Rory O'Brien 24 and Koby Stevens 21.
Brad Dick kicked three goals as well with Sam Menegola and Brock O'Brien kicking two each. East Fremantle could have won by more with straighter kicking with Brock O'Brien the worst culprit finishing with 2.7 while Leith Teakle had three behinds and Dalziell two.
It was a tough day for Swan Districts but Davis was lively up forward all afternoon kicking four goals with Tim Geappen, Tom Roach and Dayle Garlett adding two apiece.
Fremantle's Lachie Neale worked hard to pick up 33 possessions with Marlon Motlop also gathering 25, Shaun Hildebrandt 22 and captain Josh Roberts 20.
In his 100th game, Justin Simpson was outstanding in defence and picked up 22 touches while also taking nine marks. Graham Jetta had 20 touches as well with Tallan Ames being as rock solid as usual.
The day for East Fremantle started perfectly as well with both its colts and reserves teams winning preliminary finals to advance to the grand final.
East Fremantle dominated the first three quarters in the reserves against Perth to appear heading through to the grand final to face Claremont, but the Demons had plenty of fight left in them.
The Sharks were still 34 points in front at three quarter-time, but Perth came storming home with the only four goals of the last quarter. The Demons kept peppering the goals in the dying stages, but kicked seven behinds for the term as well to fall five points shot of a tremendous comeback.
Godfrey Curley was East Fremantle's only multiple goal scorer with two while Corey Yeo and Scott Hancock had 20 possessions each, Aiden Tropiano 19, Ryan Lester-Smith 17 and Lewis Fasolo 17.
Brad Fry kicked three goals for Perth with Tyler Chrimes and Michael Edwards adding two each. Matthew Rogers picked up 23 possessions, Cameron Manuel 22 and Michael Mather 21.
In the colts, the Sharks came from behind to beat Claremont 14.10 (94) to 14.8 (92). The Tigers led by eight points at quarter-time, five at half-time and eight at three quarter-time but East Fremantle kicked six goals to four in the last term to win by two points in a thriller.
Alex Howson kicked four goals for East Fremantle with Marc Paparone and Richard Bourne adding two apiece. Jake Schleicher picked up 21 possessions, Lachlan Dennis 19, Matthew Jupp 18 and Cameron Fannon 18.
Jesse Hogan was terrific for Claremont with 24 possessions, 10 marks and four goals. Mitchell McGovern kicked three with Brendan Lim picking up 24 disposals and Shannon Taylor 21.
East Fremantle will now play South Fremantle in the grand final of the colts.
Click here for the full summary of the colts, reserves and league preliminary final results across all grades this weekend
