WAFL 2024: South Fremantle, Claremont lose stars as race for finals heats up

Claremont and South Fremantle have been dealt unwanted blows as their battle for fifth spot intensifies with finals drawing close. Only two premiership points separate the Bulldogs and Tigers with three games left in the season but this round looms as the most crucial. Claremont will host the bottom-placed West Perth at Revo Fitness Stadium without their skipper Declan Mountford who is in Paris where his partner Nina Kennedy won gold in the pole vault. Forward Alec Waterman will miss the next two weeks because of hand injury with Mitch Barron and Sam Van Rooyen coming in to take on an unchanged Falcons who are looking to snap a nine-game. Waterman has kicked 21 goals in 14 games for the Tigers this season, behind only Alex Manuel (26 goals) at the club. The Tigers could leap into fifth if they beat West Perth and the Bulldogs lose to ladder-leaders Peel Thunder at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. South Fremantle were in the top three at the end of round 13, but have lost five of their past eight games to be in danger of falling out of the top five. To make matters worse, injuries are starting to mount, with Sandover medallist Haiden Schloithe hurting his MCL in their 66-point derby loss to East Fremantle last weekend. Former Adelaide midfielder Jordan Gallucci (hand) and ruckman Soloman James (quad) join Schloithe out of the side because of injury, with star Matt Parker (hamstring) also on the sidelines. Schloithe has starred since returning to the club this season, averaging 23 disposals and kicking 16 goals in 14 games. Ashton Ferreira and Caleb Datson have been dropped as part of five changes, with former captain Dylan Main returning alongside Lachlan Mitchell, George Wessels, Jacob Whan and debutant Cooper Osborne. Interestingly, South Fremantle haven’t recalled ruckman Josh Branchi to replace the injured James, despite playing the first nine league games of the season. They will instead likely use versatile players Zac Strom and Riley Colborne to fill the gap. Peel have lost Fremantle-listed players Karl Worner, Pat Voss, Matt Taberner and Matt Johnson to AFL duties and dropped Max Knobel, with Dockers James Aish, Jack Delean, Neil Erasmus, Liam Reidy and Cooper Simpson coming in. Up in Joondalup, East Fremantle will look to put pressure on Swan District’s spot in third when they meet at Pentanet Stadium. Forward Cody Leggett is back from suspension for the Sharks, while Chadd Dunscombe comes in with Michael Tassone (head) and Finn Gorringe (groin) injured. Swans have made one change with defender Anthony Stephens replacing Kristian Caporn. East Perth have lost co-captain and Sandover medallist Hamish Brayshaw (ankle) as well as Zach Raykos (illness) and Tom North (calf) for their clash against West Coast at Mineral Resources Park. Adam Boules, Nathan Eaton and Shayne Hille have are the inclusions, while the Eagles have made two changes, with speedster Jack Petruccelle coming into the team alongside Josh Burke with Jason Gilbee and Campbell Chesser out injured. Subiaco welcome back Jordan Snadden for their clash against Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium with Jordan Faraone dropped. The Demons have also made only one change, with Oscar Hine-Baston coming in for Tarkyn Brogan-Henry.