EAST Fremantle scored a crucial Round 20 WAFL victory on Saturday to shoot up to third position on the ladder at the expense of Perth and East Perth who both suffered defeats to help the Sharks make their move.

East Fremantle needed to beat Perth to remain a chance to play finals in 2013 after last year's grand final appearance and the Sharks came from behind to get the job done 16.12 (108) to 12.8 (80) at East Fremantle Oval.

East Perth missed a chance to move into the top-four at the same time with the top-of-the-table Claremont recording a hard fought 19.13 (127) to 14.15 (99) at Claremont Oval.

South Fremantle recorded its fourth win of the season downing Subiaco 16.10 (106) to 14.14 (98) at Leederville's Medibank Stadium and West Perth beat Peel Thunder 17.12 (114) to 9.11 (65) at Arena Joondalup.

Claremont started well against East Perth with five goals to one in the first quarter but the Tigers were unable to shake a Royals team desperate to win and return to the top-four.

East Perth was back within two goals by half-time and then hit the front during the second half, but the Tigers finished strongly to run out 28-point winners in the end.

West Coast's Patrick McGinnity returned for Claremont and finished with 26 possessions and three goals with Nick Winmar and Richardson booting three goals apiece, and Paul Medhurst, Andrew Foster and Chad Jones all two.

Luke Blackwell was outstanding for Claremont with 36 possessions with Jake Murphy racking up 34 disposals, Foster 22, Richardson 21 and returning captain Andrew Browne 21.

Josh Smith booted four goals for East Perth to maintain his lead atop the Bernie Naylor Medal race with West Coast's Cale Morton booting three majors, Craig Wulff two and Dean Cadwallader two.

Brendan Lee racked up 27 possessions for the Royals, Adam Selwood 26, Matt Rosa 22 and Steven Payne 21.

The ruck battle was a fascinating, and in the end even one, with East Perth's Paul Johnson having 13 possessions and 20 hit outs and Claremont's Mark Seaby 15 and 28.

Coutesy of www.wafl.com.au

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ROUND 20 RESULTS

 
LEAGUE
Claremont 19.13.127 def East Perth 14.15.99

RESERVES
Claremont 15.16.106 def East Perth 6.8.44

COLTS
Claremont 16.7.103 def East Perth 8.7.55