East Perth has advanced to the WAFL Grand Final for the second year running, after a narrow but thrilling five-point victory over Claremont in the preliminary final on Sunday afternoon. 

In front of a home crowd at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, East Perth mastered the blustery and wind-affected conditions dished up to lock in the 7.4 (46) to 5.11 (41) win. 

The Royals earned another chance to claim their first premiership since 2002 after falling short against Peel Thunder in last year’s grand final. 

This time around, they will face a menacing South Fremantle side, which has a near flawless win record – their only stumble against the spooners West Coast, who they later avenged for the loss in the final round. 

To Claremont’s credit, it fought hard all day but will be left ruing several missed opportunities for goals, which ultimately cost them their chance to go for the flag.

East Perth skipper Hamish Brayshaw fought through heavy attention from tagger Mitch Barron (14 disposals, 12 tackles) to win 29 disposals, seven tackles and six marks. 

His participation in the decider was briefly in doubt after being reported for striking Barron during the opening term but has been cleared to play. 

Stan Wright (27 disposals, five tackles, one goal) and Tom North (19 disposals, two goals) also played significant roles in the win.  

The pendulum swung back and forth between the two sides, with East Perth having the upperhand in the first half, after booting four unanswered goals. 

But Claremont clawed back into the contest during the third term, but were promptly shut down as East Perth responded with three more goals.

Down back, Harrison Macreadie (17 disposals, 8 marks) and Corey Watts (15 disposals, 6 marks) manned the fort well while under a relentless siege from Claremont, who had 12 more inside 50s.

But Claremont kept the pressure up around the ground, with three players laying 10 or more tackles, including captain Declan Mountford (14 disposals, 13 tackles, one goal). 

Of course, the usual suspects had a starring role in the engine room, as Jye Bolton (25 disposals, 5 inside 50s) and Callan England (21 disposals, 4 tackles) both put up stellar performances. 

Meanwhile, ruckman Oliver Eastland fought hard to tame the beast of Scott Jones, bringing up disposals, 48 hitouts and 10 tackles in a hotly contested ruck battle. 

Earlier in the day, East Perth snagged a thrilling two-point win on home turf against Swan Districts in Reserves, setting up a Claremont vs East Perth grand final. 

In the Colts, Claremont conquered East Fremantle to claim their place in the decider against South Fremantle. 

GOALS: 

East Perth: T North – 2, S Hille, S Wright, T Medhat, B Middleton, M Schofield

Claremont: D Mountford, A Waterman, S Alvarez, C England, R Luscombe

BEST: 

East Perth: H Brayshaw, Stan Wright, T North, H Macreadie, C Watts

Claremont: O Eastland, J Bolton, C England, D Mountford, M Barron

IMAGE: WA Football / Salt Diaries