A TOP two clash between Claremont and South Fremantle looms as a potential grand final preview midway through the season as the heavyweights of the 2023 season go head-to-head. The Bulldogs are coming off a record-breaking win over East Perth, while Claremont proved too good for Peel Thunder last week.

FORM

Both Subiaco and Swan Districts have edged their way into the top four to sit third and fourth respectively in what looms as a massive clash. The Lions upset East Fremantle last week, while Swan Districts are on a five-game winning streak and will snatch third spot off the Lions if the Swans can get up.

CHANGES

Swan District lose injured captain Jessica Cox but regain Taylah Edwards for the clash. Subiaco has also made minimal changes, with Tiah Toth and Liana Burchell out of the team, with Lauren Bilaloski and Kate Pocsidio coming in.

KEY PLAYERS

Swan Districts midfield has been humming along nicely with the likes of Ruby Mahony, Hope Ugle-Hayward and Kayley King all in form, while Courtney Zappara has booted 16 goals in four games as the most in-form forward in the WAFL Women’s. Eva Popovsky has stepped up into a midfield role of late, while fellow youngsters Olivia Crane and Olivia Wolmarans have been targets up respective ends.

PREDICTION

Anticipated to be a nail-biter, Swan Districts is running hot, while Subiaco took down title contenders East Fremantle last week, which means this clash should go down to the wire.

FORM

East Fremantle has hit a mid-season slump of sorts, having not tasted victory in a month, with only a draw to Claremont its only source of points in that period. The Sharks back up against the winless Royals in a clash that should see them comfortably back on the winners’ list and building confidence into the second half of the season. East Perth was competitive earlier in the year but seems to have tired since then, with some one-sided results including a 104-point loss to South Fremantle last week.

CHANGES

East Fremantle will be minus Fremantle forward Roxanne Roux as well as Kim Boulton, but regain a couple of youngsters in Taya Chambers and Tayah Palmer among an extended bench. The Royals have rolled out the changes as per usual, bringing back players such as Taylah Horsham and Chloe Sauzier, while Mel Hardy and Bianca Glanville go out.

KEY PLAYERS

The Sharks have a dominant forwardline but only Anjelique Raison (three goals) managed to fire last week. Georgie Cleaver has been named forward this week after largely playing through the ruck the past fortnight, while Ashleigh Gomes and Beth Beckett are in great form through midfield. Zippy Fish has also been named on-ball having shown her skill as a half-back this season.

The Royals have had a tough season, but do have a few players who continually stand up, such as defenders Lillian Ninyett and Sarah Madden, while ruck Matilda Bennett has been named at full-back. Skipper Jess Valvasori has led the midfield valiantly in 2023.

PREDICTION

East Fremantle has not been in great form, but should have no worries here against an inexperienced East Perth, with a confidence-boosting win needed to get the Sharks back on track.

FORM

Peel Thunder started the season with two wins from three games, but have dropped six on the trot as the realisation of injuries mounting and players departing – to AFLW – hits. The Thunder find themselves as the underdog against West Perth who travel down the highway in search of its fourth win, and incredibly, second against Peel Thunder. The Falcons tired against Swan Districts last week, but were competitive against South Fremantle the week before and came off an impressive win over Subiaco in Round 8.

CHANGES

Peel Thunder bring back an extended bench that includes Aisha Wright and Kayla Bradshaw into the mix, with Ebony Bilcich and Ebonee Hardie out of the side. West Perth will be minus Karry Plummer who worked hard last week, but bring back ruck Cameron Dawson and exciting forward Tia Bergin among five changes.

KEY PLAYERS

The home side is lacking experience but still has some good young talents in the side including AFLW Academy member Kaitlyn Srhoj, future star Evie Cowcher and promising players such as Holly Britton and Dakota Sexton. The Falcons have a strong midfield in Emily Bennett, Bianca Webb and Kayla Van Den Heever, while Taylor Ferguson and Jeevna Heer have impressed on the wings.

PREDICTION

West Perth is in the box seat to collect another win and just keep in touch with the top five sides. Peel Thunder would also view this game as winnable, and a chance to edge closer to the Falcons, and desperately need a bit of confidence heading into the next stage of the season.

FORM

Both South Fremantle and Claremont are in a good position with the top two sides finals bound, the former for the first time in its history. The Bulldogs are enjoying a great season in 2023, while Claremont is hitting the benchmarks one would expect of the reigning premiers, only dropping two points so far. The Tigers took care of the Bulldogs when they met earlier in the season, but expect this to be a much closer affair.

CHANGES

South Fremantle has not needed to make a forced change, but had loaded up with forwards, Zoe Huggett and Noa McNaughton coming into the team among four inclusions on an extended bench. Claremont will be minus Sarah Garstone for the Round 11 clash, though regain the experience of Matilda Husband and Andie Payne as part of an extended bench too.

KEY PLAYERS

South Fremantle has a number of in-form talents including ruck Ariana Hetherington and midfielder Charli Wicksteed. The forwardline piled on the goals last week despite no McNaughton or Huggett, with Casey Byrne, Bethany Bond and Trinity Brown filling their boots.

Claremont has had a strong midfield all season, with Jayme Harken and Matilda Sergeant natural ball-winners, and Ella Slocombe capable of hitting the scoreboard. The potential of Eva O’Donnell and Mackenzie Webb is also exciting for the Tigers.

PREDICTION

Expected to be an absolute beauty, Claremont has still earned favouritism, but if there is a team likely to knock the Tigers off, then it will be South Fremantle at home. The Bulldogs are a massive chance to do it here, and have dangerous players all over the field. One way or another, the match is set to be a cracker.