Royals product Taylah Orzel features in Claremont’s narrow 12-point loss to East Fremantle in WAFLW decider

Albany-raised footballer Taylah Orzel was part of a Claremont side that went down to East Fremantle by 12 points in the WAFLW grand final at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday. The 25-year-old Royals product played six WAFLW games this season, including a second semifinal win against South Fremantle, but it was the Sharks who claimed the ultimate prize. Playing in her first WAFLW grand final, Orzel collected seven disposals, three tackles, three marks and one inside-50 in the 2.2 (14) to 4.2 (26) loss. “It was such a cool experience to be a part of with the atmosphere of a game like that,” Orzel said. “I think we had about 4000 people there watching. It was a really surreal feeling to be out there. “They (Sharks) clearly really wanted it but we gave it our best crack and we knew it would be a hard contest. “The nerves weren’t too bad considering everything but I was just super-grateful to be a part of the experience and to be listed in the team. “I feel very honoured to be given the opportunity. “We still celebrated our season and the 16 wins we got and it will just make us hungrier going into next year.” Sharks’ teenage rising star Zippy Fish was the hero, winning the Lou Knitter Medal as best on ground after a 26-disposal, seven-tackle outing. East Fremantle broke the game open in a strong second term, dominating field position and making it count on the scoreboard, with Georgie Cleaver kicking a classy goal on the run. Chloe Reilly added her second goal from a set shot after running down a Tigers defender to give them a two-goal lead at the main break. The third term was a tale of missed opportunities. After Tigers’ Bec Anderson kicked a goal to start the quarter, Eva Campo had a chance to level the scores, only to miss the simple set shot. Having weathered the storm, the Sharks were gifted an opportunity, only for Fish to choose to kick at goal — a shot she missed — rather than handball off to an open teammate in space to kick a certain major. Mylee Leitch kicked the only goal in a tense final term, with the Sharks holding strong late in the face of a Tigers flurry. Orzel said she planned to return to the Tigers next season and would remain based in Perth ahead of the 2024 preseason.