TWO sides sitting just outside the top four will be hoping to put in good performances against their respective opponents in Round 5 of the WAFL Women’s. Subiaco has a huge opportunity against last placed East Perth, while a wounded Peel Thunder needs to cause an upset against reigning grand finalist East Fremantle in the other Saturday afternoon clash.

FORM

Subiaco started the year with a draw against South Fremantle, then picked up a good win in Round 2 against Swan Districts, but since then have dropped back-to-back games against the benchmark sides, East Fremantle and Claremont. The Lions come in as red-hot favourites against East Perth, and will be looking to jump back inside the four if both West Perth and Peel Thunder lose.

CHANGES

Subiaco have made at least three changes with ruck Tess Lyons one of three outs, alongside Claudia Langley and Lauren Bilaloski. Returning into the side is some crucial experience in Tiah Toth, Hayley Corlett and Kate Pocsidio as part of an extended bench.

East Perth’s high turnover rate from week to week continued at the Round 5 selection table with the likes of Eliza Van De Velde, Emily Boothman and Ruby Burgess out of the team. Coming in are a host of players, with Marlee Hedley, Makayla Cocking and Shannon De Bari all returning to the Royals.

KEY PLAYERS

Subiaco has an incredible midfield group that includes Fremantle AFLW recruit Joanne Cregg, captain Tarnica Golisano and Toth who have been consistent all year. Golisano will play her 150th WAFLW game in what has become an incredible career. Midfielder/forward Eva Popovsky and tenacious utility Madison Dodd were both included in the State Academy ahead of the AFLW Under 18 Championships and impressed against the WAFLW All-Stars last week.

Defender Lillian Ninyett also played for the All-Stars in that match and looms as a key player for the Royals, while Chloe Sauzier and Matilda Bennett have been impressive all season for the newcomers.

PREDICTION

Subiaco has too much experience for East Perth and should take the win fairly comfortably. The Royals have been impressively competitive for the most part, but will need to bounce back from a one-sided loss in Round 4.

FORM

Peel Thunder has not quite been able to get going just yet due to a host of players either moving on or injury, and are running with an inexperienced outfit. The Thunder have beaten the bottom two sides in Swan Districts and East Perth, but became the first experienced side to lose to West Perth last round, after going down to an inaccurate Claremont in Round 2. East Fremantle lost in Round 1 to the Tigers, but has strung together three consecutive wins and is working into the season nicely.

CHANGES

Peel Thunder will be minus key forward Kira Phillips due to suspension from last round, while Emma Grundy is the other confirmed out for the Mandurah-based lineup. They do recall some crucial experience as part of an extended bench, with midfielder Gracie Fenton set for her first match of the season, as is forward Aisha Wright, while Jade Briggs also returned.

East Fremantle will blood another teenage talent in Tayah Palmer ahead of the AFLW Under 18 Championships later this month, with West Coast listed Eleanor Hartill in for her first game of the season, and the experienced duo of Larissa Versaci and Ashlee Atkins back in the team. A trio of youth are out of the side in Georgie Cleaver (netball), Taya Chambers and Tiani Teakle, as well as Leanne Gubbins.

KEY PLAYERS

East Fremantle has a tall lineup that will stretch the Peel Thunder defence, as Anjelique Raison, Laura Catherine and Fiedler have all rotated through the ruck, as has Hartill who has been named at centre half-back. Fiedler was drafted recently alongside winger Jae Flynn, with the latter potentially having a great battle with Thunder top AFLW draft prospect, Kaitlyn Srhoj.

Peel Thunder will welcome the return of Fenton and Briggs for some crucial experience, while Wright adds that X-factor to the side. Teenager Dakota Sexton has become an important player for the team, while Tanisha Anderson has been named back in defence after kicking the winning goal for the All-Stars on Thursday night. Evie Cowcher and Ebony Dowson are keys in getting the Thunder transitional run going.

PREDICTION

East Fremantle just looks far too experienced on paper in this game. Peel Thunder has some really exciting youth that will be good over the next couple of years, but factoring in form and experience, it looks like the Sharks will just be too strong. The home crowd advantage will help the young Thunder side though.