How the WAFL Top Five will work in the 2015 Finals

AN EXCITING change for the 2015 McDonald's WAFL Premiership Season is the return to a Top 5 finals system that will create an additional round of finals and give all nine clubs extra incentive to finish the season as strongly as possible.

The WAFL clubs voted last year to introduce a top five in 2015, and with one of the closest seasons in WAFL history currently underway, the top 5 on the ladder may not be finalised until the eve of the finals.

WAFL Top 5 Finals Format

The WAFL has only ever played with a top 5 during four seasons, from 1991 to 1994, when Claremont and East Fremantle each won two flags.

The format was abandoned in 1995 afer the fifth-placed team lost more qualifying matches than it won in three of those four seasons, however East Perth in 1992 and Subiaco in 1993 still advanced to the preliminary final.

No team has won the premiership from the first semifinal since Swan Districts in 1983.