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WAFL 2026: Zac Mainwaring and mother Rani share emotional embrace after Claremont’s preliminary final win

Headshot of Mitchell Woodcock
Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
VideoZac Mainwaring shares an embrace with his mum Rani after helping Claremont secure a spot in the WAFL grand final.

“I’m so proud of you.”

That was the beautiful message to Zac Mainwaring from his mum Rani as the famous WA footballing family gears up for another grand final this week.

WATCH THE MOMENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

The son of late West Coast Eagles champion Chris, Zac played a key role in helping Claremont secure a berth in the WAFL decider with their eight-point win over East Perth on Sunday.

Claremont's Zac Mainwaring celebrates the preliminary final win with fans.
Camera IconClaremont's Zac Mainwaring celebrates the preliminary final win with fans. Credit: Jason Clark/Jason Clark - Jason Clark Photog

Mainwaring has been one of the stars for the Tigers this season, with the dynamic forward kicking 23 goals and averaging a career-high 17 touches from 19 games.

The Game AFL Finals 2026

And he stepped up in the biggest game of his career on Sunday, laying an equal team-high six tackles and booting a goal among 11 disposals in Claremont’s forward half.

Seven’s cameras caught the emotional scenes between Zac and his mother in the room as part of their post-game coverage, with tears streaming down Rani’s face as she embraced her son.

Zac Mainwaring embraces his mum Rani after helping lead Claremont into the WAFL grand final.
Camera IconZac Mainwaring embraces his mum Rani after helping lead Claremont into the WAFL grand final. Credit: Seven / Jason Clark/xx

Should he win a flag, Zac would join his late dad in claiming a WAFL premiership, with a teenage Chris part of the East Fremantle side that beat Subiaco in the 1985 grand final.

The older Mainwaring also played in three AFL grand finals for the Eagles, playing in his first in 1991 at age 25 - the same age Zac will turn later this week - and winning two in 1992 and 1994.

Chris Mainwaring jumps for joy as the West Coast Eagles win their first grand final in 1992.
Camera IconChris Mainwaring jumps for joy as the West Coast Eagles win their first grand final in 1992. Credit: Rod Taylor/The West Australian

Chris was one of WA’s favourite footballing sons and became a sports presenter at Seven before his death in 2007.

Zac will be a pivotal part of Claremont’s push for their first flag since 2012, having kicked three goals in the second semifinal defeat to the Thunder earlier this month.

Claremont's Zac Mainwaring celebrates a goal earlier this season.
Camera IconClaremont's Zac Mainwaring celebrates a goal earlier this season. Credit: Samuel Gosling/www.samuelgosling.com

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