Demons end 28-year wait for a finals victory with comeback win over East FremantleSunday, August 31, 2025 - 4:59 PM - by Jordan McArdle

Perth ended a 28-year Sullivan Logistics WAFL finals win drought with a brilliant come-from-behind victory over East Fremantle in Sunday’s Elimination Final at The Good Grocer Park.

The Demons bounced back from 21 points down in the second quarter to prevail by 29 – 16.10 (106) to 11.11 (77) – in front of 5836 fans on the back of a six-goals-to-two third term when they dominated at the clearances.

Perth’s first finals victory since 1997 books a First Semi-Final date with Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium next Sunday, while ending East Fremantle’s season.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR WEEK TWO OF WAFL FINALS ACTION HERE

Co-captains Charlie Constable and Corey Byrne were instrumental in the fightback, finishing with 31 and 27 disposals respectively to go with a combined 13 tackles and a goal in an impressive one-two midfield punch.

Key forward Aaron Clarke was the star of the show up forward with a game-high six majors, while goalsneak Lochy Paton chimed in with four in what was the Demons’ highest score of the season.

At the other end, Elijah Scoble barely made a mistake down back and kept a cool head under pressure in the final term.

Inspired by Jed Hagan’s epic 10-disposal, three-goal first term, East Fremantle started strongly with five of the first seven majors.

Hagan kept the Sharks in it with a team-high five goals from 19 disposals, with milestone man Cam Eardley, Harry Marsh, Milan Murdock and Tom Joyce also battled hard in a losing cause.

Perth made their move late in the third term after Schlensog’s move into the ruck sparked a shift in the midfield battle as Byrne and Constable ran riot.

State squad representative Clarke was the beneficiary up forward for the Demons with three of his side’s four goals during a stunning nine-minute burst.

Leading by 20 at three-quarter time, Paton extended Perth’s buffer to 26 before East Fremantle had a purple patch of their own to get within 12 points.

But it was Schlensog stepping up again when the Demons needed it, taking advantage of a 50m penalty to slot through what proved to be the sealer at the 22-minute mark.

A spot in the Preliminary Final is up for grabs when the Demons and Tigers to battle in Claremont next Sunday as Perth look to continue their finals fairytale and end a 48-year wait for a premiership.

In reserves Qualifying Final action earlier in the day, Swan Districts defeated South Fremantle 13 points after a strong final term, while West Perth came from behind in the EGT WAFL Colts Elimination Final to end the Black Ducks' season.

WAFL finals fixtures - Week Two

Saturday, September 6 at Fremantle Community Bank Oval

League: 1.50pm, South Fremantle v East Perth, Second Semi-Final (Live on 7 Plus)

Reserves: 11.05am, South Fremantle v East Perth, First Semi-Final (Live on Streamer)

Colts: 8.30am, South Fremantle v East Fremantle, Second Semi-Final (Live on Streamer)

Sunday, September 7 at Revo Fitness Stadium

League: 2.10pm, Claremont v Perth, First Semi-Final (Live on Channel 7 and 7 Plus)

Reserves: 11.25am, Claremont v Swan Districts, Second Semi-Final (Live on Streamer)

Colts: 8.50am, Claremont v West Perth, First Semi-Final (Live on Streamer)