EAST Fremantle and Claremont both stepped up and won their respective West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s matches to lock up the double chance a couple of rounds out from finals. Swan Districts also edged closer to securing fourth spot on the ladder with an important win over Subiaco.

Claremont overcame first half inaccuracy to run out 25-point winners over Peel Thunder at Lane Group Stadium to lock up a top two spot. The Tigers kicked 3.10 in the first half of the match and looked like they might kick themselves out of it, but still held a 27-point lead at the main break. Peel Thunder struggled to get any real scoring momentum, kicking just one behind until Kate Bartlett got the Thunder on the board in the third term, but the likes of Ella Smith and Mikayla Western slotting two apiece and leading the visitors to a memorable 5.10 (40) to 2.3 (15) win.

Sasha Goranova (21 disposals, eight tackles) was a standout for the Tigers, with the likes of Smith (nine disposals, two goals) and Western (14 disposals, two goals) both hitting the scoreboard multiple times. Paige Hamilton-Smith claimed another scalp in defence nullifying leading goalkicker Bartlett, while Jasmin Stewart (17 disposals, two marks, two tackles and three inside 50s) and Brooke Hongell (13 disposals, three tackles) were also impressive.

Top AFLW Draft prospect Ella Roberts racked up 30 disposals, six marks, six tackles and five inside 50s for the Thunder, leading the way in defeat. Cassie Davidson (20 disposals, five marks and three tackles), Tanisha Anderson (18 disposals, five marks) and Ebony Dowson (15 disposals, two marks and three tackles) were strong in defence, while the likes of Gracie Fenton (21 disposals, two marks, two tackles and three inside 50s) and Jaide Britton (15 disposals, five marks and four inside 50s) were also busy.

Peel Thunder faces Swan Districts in Round 16 to go a long way to determining third spot on the ladder, while Claremont takes on Subiaco on the road.

PEEL THUNDER 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 (15)
CLAREMONT 2.5 | 3.10 | 4.10 | 5.10 (40)

GOALS:

Peel Thunder: K. Bartlett, K. Phillips
Claremont: E. Smith 2, M. Western 2, E. Slocombe

RMC BEST:

Peel Thunder: E. Roberts, C. Davidson, G. McKinley, T. Anderson, G. Fenton
Claremont: S. Goranova, M. Western, J. Stewart, E. Smith, P. Hamilton-Smith

East Fremantle remained undefeated in season 2022 with a storming 50-point win over Subiaco to repeat the effort of earlier in the year. The Sharks kept the Lions to just two goals for the match – both Dahna Lee – with the second term of four goals to one the most dominant of the game. Though Subiaco conceded no more than two goals in each of the other quarters, the likes of Julia Teakle and Mylee Leitch combined for five goals.

The Sharks had a number of strong contributors once again, with the midfield of Sharon Wong (21 disposals, two marks, 11 tackles and two inside 50s), Amber Kinnane (19 disposals, three marks and nine tackles), Ashleigh Gomes (17 disposals, five marks, seven tackles and four inside 50s) and Beth Beckett (16 disposals, two marks, two tackles, two inside 50s and one goal) humming. Up forward, Ashlee Atkins (21 disposals, two marks, six tackles, six inside 50s and one goal) continued her great form as Teakle (three goals from 11 disposals, three marks and four tackles) and Leitch (12 disposals, five marks, three tackles, three inside 50s and two goals) also dominated up forward.

In the absence of skipper Tarnica Golisano, midfielders Madizen Wilkins (14 disposals, three marks and six tackles) and Jayme Harken (22 disposals, three marks, four tackles and four inside 50s) were both prolific. In defence, Madison Dodd (15 disposals, two marks, seven tackles and two inside 50s) and Jamie Rust (18 disposals, four marks) were both strong, while Abbey Dowrick caught the eye with 10 disposals, two marks, six tackles and four inside 50s.

Subiaco takes on Claremont at home next weekend, with East Fremantle travelling to Pentanet Stadium to lock horns with the last placed West Perth.

EAST FREMANTLE 2.2 | 6.5 | 7.6 | 9.9 (63)
SUBIACO 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 (13)

GOALS:

East Fremantle: J. Teakle 3, M. Leitch 2, A. Atkins, B. Beckett, D. Fedele, A. Raison
Subiaco: D. Lee 2

RMC BEST:

East Fremantle: M. Leitch, S. Wong, A. Atkins, A. Gomes, Z. Fish
Subiaco: M. Wilkins, M. Dodd, J. Harken, J. Rust, A. Dowrick

Swan Districts all but stamped their finals ticket with an important 20-point win over South Fremantle. Neither side could score in the opening term, and it took until the last quarter, but eventually the black and whites shook off the Bulldogs. Swan Districts lead by 10 points at the main break and nine at the last chance, before slotting 3.1 to 0.2 in the last quarter to grind out a 5.6 (36) to 2.4 (16).

Swan Districts young midfielders Jaime Henry (20 disposals, three marks, 11 tackles) and Abbygail Bushby (22 disposals, five marks, three tackles and three inside 50s) were prolific once again, with defensive duo Isabella Edgley (25 disposals, five marks and three tackles) and Emily McGuire (21 disposals, three marks) both potent out of the back half. Ruby Mahony (20 disposals, three marks and 11 tackles) also impressed through the midfield.

South Fremantle captain Lauren Vecchio (21 disposals, 12 tackles and two inside 50s) and Kiara Templeman (18 disposals, two tackles and three inside 50s) were the top two ball-winners for the Bulldogs. Casey Byrne racked up 16 disposals and four tackles was impressive, while teenagers Zoe Wakfer and Rosie Anderson were also busy in defeat.

South Fremantle has the bye in Round 16, with Swan Districts playing host to Peel Thunder at Steel Blue Oval.

SWAN DISTRICTS 0.0 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 5.6 (36)
SOUTH FREMANTLE 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 2.4 (16)

GOALS:

Swan Districts: J. Henry 2, T. Edwards, A. Sharp, C. Zappara
South Fremantle: Z. Huggett, C. Hunt

RMC BEST:

Swan Districts: J. Henry, I. Edgley, E. McGuire, J. Henry, R. Mahony
South Fremantle: L. Vecchio, C. Byrne, Z. Waker, K. Templeman, R. Anderson