Great Southern talent help Claremont to strong elimination final win over defending premiers East Fremantle

A host of Great Southern talent helped Claremont keep their WAFL premiership aspirations alive with an emphatic 24-point elimination final win over defending premiers East Fremantle, at Revo Fitness Stadium on Sunday.

Five players from the region played key roles in the Tigers 12.7 (79) to 7.13 (55) victory that ended the Sharks premiership defence.

The Tigers were clean and damaging when it mattered most to claim a stellar win and book a semifinal clash with Peel Thunder in Mandurah next Sunday.

Albany product Kieran Gowdie had nine extremely influential disposals including a goal on the quarter-time siren that sparked a run of five straight majors.

He was poised in an erratic high-pressure game and provided a brilliant outlet target with five strong marks.

Captain Declan Mountford, hailing from North Albany, played a crucial defensive role on young gun Jed Hagan, holding the star small forward goalless and limiting him to 12 disposals.

Bordon’s Anthony Davis, the brother of 2024 Les Ganzer medallist Lewis Davis, was instrumental across half-back gathering 17 disposals.

Tyron Smallwood (Royals and Albany) collected 14 disposals across half forward and provided vital front-half pressure with six tackles while Talon Delacey (North Albany) was also a solid contributor with 14 disposals, five tackles and three inside-50s.

Swan Districts high-flyer and Royals product Tom Edwards must again nervously watch on as his side plays for a spot in the WAFL grand final this weekend after his side defeated Peel Thunder in their qualifying final at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday.

Edwards was concussed in his side’s round 21 clash against Perth, which forced him out of the qualifying final encounter and due to the 21-day concussion protocols, he will again be unavailable for their second semifinal against East Perth this weekend.

He will be eligible to play again following weekend, should the Swans be defeated on Saturday, or in the grand final the week after.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a career-best year for the Black Ducks booting 37 goals in 18 games and being named in the extended WA squad earlier this season.