the preliminary final series was hosted by the sydney blue sox at blue sox stadium in sydney, against the perth heat. the heat won the series two games to nil, to then face the canberra cavalry at narrabundah ballpark in canberra in the championship series. canberra defeated perth two games to nil to win their first abl championship and be awarded the claxton shield. it was the first time a team from the australian capital territory won the claxton shield