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WAFL Finals Preview: South Fremantle Targets September Decider
Perth clubs enter the 2026 WAFL knockout stage with ladder positions shaping early-weekend clashes across the metro area.
How we reported this
South Fremantle opens the WAFL finals series against Peel Thunder on July 19 at Fremantle Community Bank Oval after finishing second on the ladder.
The timing aligns with the league shifting to its post-season format following the final home-and-away round on July 12, when clubs must convert regular-season form into a premiership tilt before the AFL draft window opens in November.
Training blocks for the Bulldogs have centred on sessions at Lathlain Park, where the club shares facilities with the Perth Football Club, while East Perth players have used the grass ovals behind the Leederville Hotel as a secondary venue for set-piece work. These two sites have hosted the bulk of finals preparation drills for the four Perth-based sides still alive.
Fixture and Venue Details
The first elimination final carries a 2:10pm start at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, with the winner advancing to a semi-final at Optus Stadium on July 26. Average gate receipts from last year’s equivalent match reached $87,000, and this season’s general admission tickets are priced from $28 for adults and $12 for juniors.
Clubs have also noted a 14 per cent rise in junior registration numbers across the metropolitan competition compared with 2025, a figure released by the WA Football Commission last month that underscores growing local interest ahead of the finals window.
Supporters planning to attend can purchase tickets through the WAFL website or at the gate on match day, with reserved seating options available for members of the South Fremantle and Peel Thunder supporter groups. Early arrival is advised given expected crowds near 6,000 at the opening fixture.