West Coast's finals hopes were extinguished after Claremont pulled away late to claim a 33-point victory at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday afternoon.

West Coast's WAFL season came to an end on Saturday afternoon, with Claremont proving too strong in a 20.10 (130) to 14.13 (97) victory at Mineral Resources Park.

Needing a win to secure a finals berth, the Eagles faced an early challenge as the Tigers stormed out of the blocks through Jack Musika, who kicked the opening two goals of the game to establish a 12-point advantage.

Caleb Datson provided West Coast's first response before Jack Hutchinson's strong overhead mark and subsequent goal briefly levelled the scores.

Claremont soon regained control as Tyson Headland responded with a clever crumbing goal before the Tigers' dangerous small forwards continued to make an impact inside 50. The visitors piled on seven consecutive goals to open up a commanding 43-point lead at quarter-time.

West Coast showed greater fight in the second term. Thomas Edwards-Baldwin sparked the Eagles with the opening goal of the quarter before adding a second soon after to cut the margin back to five goals.

Each time the Eagles threatened, Claremont found an answer. Headland kicked his second major to steady the Tigers before Shannon Lucassen and Malakai Champion combined to keep the home side within striking distance.

Datson, Hutchinson and Champion all contributed as West Coast lifted their intensity around the contest, while Matt Flynn and Claremont ruck Oliver Eastland engaged in an entertaining battle through the middle.

Goals to Kieran Gowdie and Callan England late in the half ensured the Tigers carried a 36-point lead into the main break.

With their season hanging in the balance, the Eagles needed a strong response after halftime, but Gowdie continued his dominant afternoon, booting his fifth goal to extend Claremont's advantage.

The contest became an arm wrestle for much of the third quarter before Champion snapped an opportunistic goal to reduce the margin. Elijah Hewett followed with a composed set shot as West Coast began to generate momentum heading into the final change.

The Eagles produced one last charge in the final quarter. Datson opened the term with his second goal before Harry Schoenberg added another moments later to reduce the margin to just 15 points.

When Datson kicked his third and Lucassen followed with his second, the deficit was suddenly trimmed to only three points and the home crowd sensed a remarkable comeback.

Led by Hutchinson, who spent more time through the midfield and gave the Eagles first use around stoppages, West Coast had all the momentum.

But Claremont steadied through Heath Mellody before Bailey Banfield pushed the margin back out to 15 points. Ryan Maric responded to keep the Eagles within reach, but the Tigers found another gear when it mattered most.

Goals to Ben Elliot, Musika, Headland and Sam van Rooyen in the closing stages ensured Claremont would finish strongly heading into finals, while ending West Coast's season.

Hewett was outstanding for the Eagles, collecting 30 disposals and a goal in a tireless performance through the midfield. Fin Macrae and Lucca Grego both gathered 24 disposals, while Hutchinson was influential throughout the afternoon with 22 disposals, five inside 50s and two goals.

Flynn continued his excellent season in the ruck, finishing with 39 hit-outs and providing his midfielders with first use around stoppages.

For Claremont, Mellody starred with 33 disposals, nine tackles and a goal, while Ben Elliot and Sam Alvarez were prolific with 29 disposals apiece. Gowdie was the difference forward of centre, finishing with five goals.

The loss sees West Coast finish seventh on the WAFL ladder and brings its 2026 campaign to a close.

WEST COAST: 2.3, 7.6, 9.11, 14.13 (97)
CLAREMONT: 9.3, 13.6, 14.9, 20.10 (130)

GOALS
West Coast: Datson 3, Champion 2, Edwards-Baldwin 2, Hutchinson 2, Lucassen 2, Hewett, Maric, Schoenberg.
Claremont: Gowdie 5, Musika 3, Delacey 2, Headland 3, van Rooyen 2, Banfield, Elliot, England, Gale, Mellody.

BEST
West Coast: Hewett, Flynn, Hutchinson, Edwards-Baldwin, Datson.
Claremont: Mellody, Elliot, England, Gowdie, Headland, Delacey, Musika.