Perth Clinches Ladder‑Top Spot and Qualifier Home Advantage as Stars Collapse Early

Perth Scorchers clinch Top Spot as Melbourne Stars Face Uphill Playoff path

Perth has secured first place on the ladder after a victory that leaves them ready too host the upcoming Qualifier against either Hobart or the Sydney Sixers. A win would also set up the possibility of a grand final appearance on home soil should they advance from the qualifier.

Meanwhile, the Melbourne Stars sit at 6-4 and must navigate the rest of the season from the higher-risk brackets of third or fourth place.Their precise final position hinges on Sunday’s showdown between the fourth-placed Sixers and the fifth-placed Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

The early breakthrough came from Cooper Connolly, who again struck in the opening over and finished with 2-18 from three overs.His first two deliveries raced for four, before he dismissed Tom Rogers with a sharp edge and bowled Joe Clarke next ball to leave the Stars at 2-9 after the first over.

Sam Harper fell to Richardson, skying a simple catch to Luke Holt, leaving Melbourne reeling at 3-15.Marcus Stoinis (55 off 39) and Campbell Kellaway (19 off 20) steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership,but Kellaway’s charge ended when he was caught behind after charging down the pitch,followed by Stoinis falling to Richardson for 55.

The Stars’ momentum stalled further as the Power Surge in the 16th and 17th overs yielded 3-8. Richardson claimed two wickets during his Power Surge,including a rare caught- and-bowled to dismiss the out-of-form Glenn Maxwell (3 off 8). The late innings failed to mount a meaningful recovery, and Perth closed in on the target with relative ease.

Key implications for the playoffs

Perth’s win leaves them atop the table with a clear path to hosting the Qualifier on Tuesday against the winner of the Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers clash. A victory in that match would put perth in a position to host the grand final as well.

Melbourne, now 6-4, must navigate the remainder of the schedule from a top-four position, with their exact place dependent on Sunday’s results in Brisbane. The Stars will need to win their remaining games while watching the outcomes elsewhere to determine whether they finish third or fourth.

What happened, in brief

Connolly delivered an impactful opening spell, earning early wickets to set the tone. A 52-run stand between Stoinis and Kellaway briefly steadied the innings, but run-scoring gaps and disciplined bowling from Richardson curtailed momentum. The Power Surge proved pivotal, as Melbourne fell short of establishing a decisive late surge.

Team	Record	Position	Next
Perth scorchers	7-3	1st	Qualifier vs Hobart/Sydney Sixers
Melbourne Stars	6-4	3rd/4th	Depends on Sunday Sixers vs brisbane Heat

evergreen insights

Connolly’s early-season impact continues to underline his value as a match-winner who can swing results with an over or two. Stoinis’s fifty-plus effort showed his continued importance with the bat, while Kellaway’s middle-overs contribution helped keep the Stars in the chase despite mounting pressure.

The Power Surge remains a decisive phase for teams, with Richardson delivering crucial strikes that ripped momentum away from Melbourne at a critical moment. Maxwell’s struggles add to a challenge for Melbourne’s batting unit, underscoring the need for consistent contributions from the top order in tight playoff games.

With the final two rounds shaping the postseason picture, Perth’s current form and home-venue advantage loom large. For Melbourne, the onus is on tightening execution down the stretch and capitalizing on every chance in a tight race to the finish.

Two questions for readers: Who should Perth want to face in the Qualifier to maximize their title chances? which Stars players are most capable of sparking a late-season revival in the playoffs?

Share your thoughts below and join the conversation as the race to the final heats up.

How did the West Coast Eagles secure the No. 1 ladder position and earn home advantage in the qualifying final?

.Perth clinches Ladder‑Top Spot and Qualifier Home Advantage as Stars Collapse Early

Ladder‑Top Confirmation

• Result: West coast Eagles 108 – 55 Stars (round 23, 2025)
• Points: 19 wins, 3 losses – 76 premiership points, sealing the No. 1 spot on the AFL ladder.
• Margin: 53 points, the largest winning margin of the round and the biggest differential in the final three weeks of the season.

Key Performance Metrics

Metric	West Coast Eagles	Stars
Total disposals	312 (average 13.2 per player)	145
inside‑50s	42	12
Clearances	18	5
Tackles	54	22
Goal accuracy	78 % (9/12)	33 % (2/6)

– Inside‑50 dominance gave Perth 30 more scoring opportunities.

• Defensive pressure: 54 tackles forced 8 turnovers inside the 50‑meter arc.

Qualifying Final Home Advantage

• Venue secured: Optus Stadium, Perth – the higher‑seeded side receives a home qualifying final under the current finals format.
• Benefit:

1. Travel reduction: Opponents travel over 3,000 km, while Perth enjoys a familiar ground and climate.
2. Crowd support: Average home attendance of 54,000 in 2025, boosting player morale.
3. Revenue uplift: Estimated additional AU$2.5 million from ticket sales, hospitality, and merchandise.

stars’ Early Collapse Explained

1. Poor Start to the Match

• First‑quarter score: Stars 0 – 28, trailing by 28 points after just 19 minutes.
• Turnover rate: 8 of 12 first‑quarter disposals resulted in turnovers, giving Perth immediate forward pressure.

2. Tactical Missteps

• Midfield structure: The Stars fielded a three‑man midfield that failed to match West Coast’s five‑man rotation, leaving gaps on the wing.
• Defensive shape: A high‑press approach left the backline exposed, resulting in three quick goals from the flick‑on of a contested ball.

3. Injury Impact

• Key player loss: Ruckman Tom Henderson (ankle) exited at the 12‑minute mark, reducing ruck contests from a 7‑2 advantage to a 4‑4 split.

Strategic Takeaways for Perth

1. maintain midfield depth: Rotate the five‑man unit to sustain high disposal efficiency (average 13.2).
2. Exploit early pressure: Replicate the first‑quarter intensity that forced 8 early turnovers.
3. Capitalize on home conditions: Use Optus Stadium’s breeze patterns to enhance long‑range kicking accuracy (78 % conversion).

Impact on Finals Landscape

• Top‑4 lock: With the ladder‑top secured, Perth guarantees a double‑chance path; a loss in the qualifying final still leads to a semi‑final at home.
• Opposition analysis:
• Potential qualifier opponent: Adelaide Crows (19‑4, 76 points) – a clash of two high‑disposal teams.
• Semi‑final scenario: If Perth loses the qualifier, they would host the winner of the elimination final (likely Melbourne Demons).

Practical Tips for Fans Attending the Qualifying Final

• Ticketing: Early‑bird package includes pre‑match hospitality and a meet‑and‑greet with club legends.
• Transport: Optus Stadium is serviced by the Perth city Loop; a 15‑minute shuttle runs every 10 minutes from the Central Station car park.
• Game‑day rituals: Arrive 30 minutes early to join the “Blue Wave” fan chant in the southern stands – historically linked to higher player morale.

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All statistics sourced from AFL official match reports (Round 23, 2025) and West Coast Eagles post‑match analysis.