EAST Fremantle did what it needed to keep its finals door open on Saturday beating Claremont but Swan Districts and East Perth slammed it shut by winning themselves in the final round of the 2013 WAFL home and away season.

Five teams were still alive to play finals heading into Round 24 action but the equation was simple for Swan Districts and East Perth – win their games and they are in while a loss could mean they make way for East Fremantle if the Sharks were able to beat the Tigers.

East Fremantle did just that beating Claremont 13.9 (87) to 11.11 (77) at East Fremantle Oval but it counted for nothing in the end with Swan Districts downing West Perth 10.13 (73) to 7.13 (55) at Bassendean's Steel Blue Oval and East Perth overcoming Subiaco 11.16 (82) to 8.15 (63) at Leederville's Medibank Stadium.

The only game in the final round that had no finals implications took place at Lathlain's Brownes Stadium and Perth finished over the top of South Fremantle to win 17.13 (115) to 13.13 (91).

The results mean that Claremont, West Perth, Swan Districts and East Perth make up the WAFL's top-four for 2013 with the Tigers and Falcons to meet on Sunday in the second semi-final with a grand final berth up for grabs, and Swans host the Royals at Steel Blue Oval with the winner to make the preliminary final and the loser eliminated.

Outside of the top-four for 2013 were East Fremantle, Perth, South Fremantle, Subiaco and Peel Thunder.

Claremont started in dominant fashion with the first three goals of the game against East Fremantle, but the Sharks finished the first half with the last five goals to head into half-time with a three-point advantage.

It was a tight second half right the way through, but with the Tigers already looking forward to the second semi-final and the Sharks desperate to win to keep any hopes for finals alive, East Fremantle was the only team with something to play for and came away with the 10-point win.

James Depane, Brad Sheppard, Rob Young and Jack Perham all kicked two goals apiece for East Fremantle while Andrew Stephen was outstanding in defence with 17 possessions and six marks.

Captain Mark McGough racked up 35 possessions, Rory O'Brien 28, Richard Hadley 24, Aidan Tropiano 24, Scott Hancock 21 and Brad Cooper 20 while having a fascinating battle with Ian Richardson.

Richardson still kicked three goals for Claremont with Jack Bradshaw and Chad Jones adding two apiece.

Jake Murphy racked up another 29 possessions, Ryan Neates 25, Luke Blackwell 24, Andrew Foster 21 and Mark Seaby 18 to go with eight marks and 24 hit outs.

ROUND 24 RESULTS

 
LEAGUE
East Fremantle 13.9.87 def Claremont 11.11.77

RESERVES
East Fremantle 9.5.59 def by Claremont 10.12.72

COLTS
East Fremantle 7.12.54 def by Claremont 9.7.61

CLICK HERE for more WAFL Round 24 Results.

Courtesy of www.wafl.com.au