Royals cause massive upset over Claremont in WAFL Reserves deciderSunday, September 21, 2025 - 10:52 AM - by Denholm Melrose

East Perth have caused the upset of the season on the biggest day, defeating Claremont by 24 points to cap off an incredible cinderella run from fifth spot to premiers in the WAFL Reserves decider at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Claremont were the clear best team throughout the year, finishing a game clear on the ladder and with an absurd percentage of 248.4 per cent.

East Perth snuck into finals on percentage alone and won four finals to claim their 11th Reserves flag.

The Merv McIntosh medallist for best on ground was awarded to Tyler Lindberg, who starred with 21 disposals - including 10 contested - to go with 10 tackles and three goals.

The Royals started the game with a scintillating start, getting out to an early 21-3 advantage, Sebit Kuek and Tyler Lindberg doing the early damage. Lindberg kicked his second of the opening quarter when he stepped around his opponent on the mark and nailed a brilliant running goal from 35m out. Claremont hit back through Steven Miller but the minor premiers trailed 33-9 at quarter time and appeared stunned.

The second quarter saw things completely flipped as momentum started to swing the Tigers’ way. Despite the best efforts of skipper Darcy Miller down back who was outstanding, Claremont booted four goals to two to bring the margin back to 10 points. Mitchell Barron began to assert himself into the game, as did Andre Gulluni.

The third term opened with Darcy Miller again impacting, this time with an all-time WAFL grab, soaring over the top to take an intercept mark in the heavens. He and Clancy Dennis were brick walls at either end of the ground, but Sebit Kuek and Tyler Lindberg each kicked their third.

The game went up a notch after a scrappy period of utter desperation that ended with Logan Guelfi breaking the deadlock to reduce the margin to 12 points, but Kuek’s third took it out to 20-points at three-quarter-time.

With the game hanging on a knife’s edge in the final term, Aniello Pizzolante stepped up to kick two big goals and put the lead out to 31 points. Claremont arrested momentum back slightly, but East Perth wound down the clock with repeat stoppages and smart football to run out victorious.

It’s the Royals’ first Reserves flag since 2020 and second since 1983, Sebit Kuek the lone member of that premiership five years ago.

Darcy Miller was supremely solid down back with 18 disposals and seven marks including five intercept marks and nine intercept possessions, while Gulluni won 26 disposals for the premiers.

Lindberg and Kuek each booted three goals, with Brody Delaney nailing two as well. Adam Boules kicked a major from his 19 possessions and seven marks, while Jonah Brooks, Jacob Spasevski and Kade Lines each competed very well.

Claremont’s best were Ronin O’Connor (19 disposals, six tackles), Sullivan Moody (11 tackles) and Steven Miller (14 disposals, five marks, two goals), whilst Clancy Dennis and Benjamin Clarke can also hold their heads high.

SCOREBOARD

EAST PERTH 5.3, 7.4, 10.8, 13.9 (87)

CLAREMONT 1.3, 5.6, 7.6, 9.9 (63)

Goals – EAST PERTH: W Love, S Miller 2, M Barron, R Disisto, L Guelfi, T Smallwood, S van Rooyen. CLAREMONT: S Kuek, T Lindberg 3, B Delaney, A Pizzloante 2, A Boules, Parker, Soutar.

Best – EAST PERTH: T Lindberg, A Gulluni, S Kuek, A Boules, D Miller, K Lines, B Delaney, CLAREMONT: R O’Connor, C Dennis, S Miller, M Barron, S Moody.

Umpires: O Wharton C Mannix M Forsyth A Crowhurst.