AFLW wrap: Walyalup (Fremantle) earn home final while it’s season over for Waalitj Marawar (West Coast)

Walyalup (Fremantle) was rewarded for their strong finish to the season by earning a home elimination final. While for their cross-town rivals Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) it’s season over for 2024 after a big loss to Sydney. Walyalup hosted the Western Bulldogs at Fremantle Oval on Sunday in the final game of the round and the equation was simple — win and hope Adelaide loses, and it’s a top-four finish. Adelaide ruined their top four plans on Friday night, with a four-point win over Geelong. Walyalup’s goal kicking was wayward all day, and they went into the first break only managing three behinds,. But a second quarter burst saw Walyalup keep the Dogs quiet, going into half time in front. The second half was an arm wrestle with the Dogs taking it up to the finals bound Walyalup. However, the fourth quarter proved to be their undoing, with Walyalup kicking themselves into a home final, winning 4.11 (35) to 3.3 (21). Exmouth’s Mim Strom capped off a fantastic home-and-away season with a stellar performance which included 30 disposals, 29 hit-outs, nine marks and seven tackles, putting her in a strong position to earn her first All-Australian blazer. Fifth-placed Walyalup will host eighth-placed Essendon in an elimination final at Fremantle Oval on Saturday. Waalitj Marawar travelled to Sydney for their final game on Saturday and they got the ball rolling early, kicking the goal of the game. Sydney responding before quarter time with a couple of their own. The second quarter saw an energetic Sydney outfit burst out the blocks. and Waalitj Marawar simply had no answers. The third quarter was more of the same unravelling, while a scuffle late was the only sign of energy from Waalitj Marawar. As she has done all season after coming back from a hand injury, Dongara’s Roxanne Roux provided Waalitj Marawar with a solid performance, putting her body on the line time and time again. Unfortunately it simply wasn’t enough. After a promising start to the season, Waalitj Marawar lost their last five games of the season, writing themselves out of contention. Sydney defeated Waalitj Marawar 10.14 (74) to 4.4 (28), with Waalitj Marawar finishing the season in 13th. Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) hosted GWS at home in a nail-biter on Sunday. It was a back and forth battle with both teams at each other’s throats. The final term was one for the ages with a 16th placed GWS putting up a valiant effort against finals-bound Yartapuulti. However, a contentious umpire’s call in the middle saw Yartapuulti enter their forward 5o with a minute and-a-half to play. Yartapuulti forward Gemma Houghton was at the end of the play and kicked truly, sealing the one-point victory. Yartapuulti were without Northampton’s Julia Teakle after her knee injury in round seven against the Collingwood. The club will be hoping Teakle is fit and ready to fire going into their finals series, with Yartapuulti hosting Richmond in the other elimination final on Sunday.