Robinson pips Florence in classic Margaret River final

Jack Robinson has produced back-to-back moments of brilliance to topple John John Florence in another Margaret River decider to claim his second World Surf League title of the season.

The West Australian favourite sneaked into the last four with a clutch final-minute score, survived a tense semi-final, then found top gear in a scintillating decider against the Hawaiian master.

Florence had earlier scored a perfect 10 to beat Australian wildcard George Pittar in a high-scoring semi-final.

But Robinson (17.27) closed the door on Florence (16.04) with 9.10 and 8.17-point rides barely a minute apart midway through their heat.

His first was an aggressive carving effort before the 2022 champion took to the skies with a huge aerial manoeuvre followed by another series of turns.

It left Florence needing another perfect 10 that he was unable to find.

Robinson's victory followed a title at Sunset Beach and pushed the soon-to-be Olympian into second on the rankings at the season's mid-way point.

"Deja vu. Man, what a moment; that was a good final," said Robinson, who beat Florence to the title two years ago, but missed last year's event.

"John's incredible out here, I wouldn't want anyone else in the final with me.

"Hasn't really hit me yet ... I felt like I was defending it again.

"There's things you've got to do to keep going, keep pushing."

It was contrasting emotions for 15-year tour veteran Sally Fitzgibbons, who lost a tense quarter to miss the mid-season cut for a third-straight year.

Fitzgibbons needed to win to reach the top 10 and had her chances against Sawyer Lindblad in a 12.67-12.17 quarter-final loss.

Waves were at a premium during the battle, and Fitzgibbons needed 6.18 on her second scoring wave to go through.

With 33 seconds remaining, she took off on a big wave that had all the necessary power to give her the points she needed.

Her turns weren't enough to win over the judges, a 5.67 score brutally sending her back to the Qualifying Series she dominated last year to earn another top-tour return.

Despite the disappointment of missing the mid-season cut, 33-year-old Fitzgibbons was still all smiles as she came to shore.

A game of rock-paper-scissors decided which young fan she gave her jersey to, and she gave another young fan her leg rope.

Fellow Australian India Robinson will also be relegated to the Challenger Series after losing a tight quarter-final tussle to Gabriela Bryan.

Molly Picklum was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Brisa Hennessy, while Tyler Wright lost to Lindblad in the semi-finals. Hawaii's Gabriela Bryan then beat Lindblad to the title.

Pittar made the most of his cameo, defeating world No.1 Griffin Colapinto in the men's quarter-finals thanks to a magical 9.50-point barrel late in the heat.

Robinson's journey was 43 seconds from ending in the quarter-finals, before the Australian found an 8.33 ride to beat Imaikalani deVault.