HALFWAY through the weekend and halfway through Round 6 of the WAFL Women’s with two games remaining to complete the round. East Fremantle will be hoping to further hold onto a top three spot with a big win over a struggling Peel Thunder, while it is neck-and-neck between Swan Districts and Subiaco.

FORM

East Fremantle bounced back from a disappointing loss to Claremont in Round 3 to post a nail-biting one-point win over Swan Districts before the bye and move to 3-1 for the season. The winless Peel Thunder has struggled to get any sort of offence going, kicking two goals in the final term against Subiaco to save the Thunder from going scoreless in a 67-point loss.

TEAMS

CHANGES

East Fremantle has been forced to make some moves with star midfielder Zippy Fish representing the AFLW Academy in Melbourne, while Serena Gibbs begins her AFLW preseason. They regain some experience in Jae Flynn and Philipa Seth, while State Academy member Tiani Teakle returns and teenager Maya Louvel-Finn makes her debut.

Peel Thunder coaching staff has backed in its lineup with just the two changes since Round 4. Holly Coomey and Jessica Jones replace Anna Watts and Kristen Rudler.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

The Sharks have a couple of talented top-age defenders in Taya Chambers and Natasha Entwistle who are in fantastic form, while Tiakle gets another shot at League level as that marking forward.

Peel thunder forward Jorja Haines kicked both of her side’s goals last week and provides a spark, while Holly Britton has shown she can play in a multitude of positions. Defender Evie Cowcher is always one of the highest production players on the ground and will be tightly watched by the Sharks forwards. Dakota Sexton is another State Academy member who is performing strongly through the season.

KEY PLAYERS

It is hard to look past the midfield of East Fremantle that features Ashleigh Gomes, Amber Kinnane, Chloe Wrigley, Seth and Flynn. It looms as far more experience than that of the Thunder core, while still having the likes of Beth Beckett and Sharon Wong through that rotation.

Peel Thunder’s defence is what stands up, with Cowcher strong alongside Ebony Dowson, while midfielder Ebony Bilcich and fellow on-baller Gracie Fenton always bring the heat.

PREDICTION

Expect East Fremantle to be far too strong here with the experience difference off the charts. For the rebuilding Thunder, it is about challenging the top sides and staying in the contest for as long as possible and giving themselves opportunities to score.

FORM

Swan Districts will be smarting after its loss to East Fremantle by a solitary point, but the Black Ducks will be keen to bounce back against Subiaco, who is 2-2 for the season following a commanding win over Peel Thunder. Both sides are at that even ledger, with a win crucial to stay with the top teams.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Both sides have only made the two changes for the match, with Swan Districts regaining AFLW-experienced Emma Humphries, while also bringing in Kelly Polla. They replace Adi Griffith and Teyharna Curry.

Subiaco have brought in ruck Isabelle Starmer and defender Charlotte Newland for Bree Wills and Chloe Shearing in the Lions’ only changes for the clash.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Both Lily Paterson and Indiana West are pushing their case to earn a State Academy spot, while bottom-age talent Carys D’Addario has been sensational all season. For the Lions, key forward Olivia Wolmarans is a huge threat inside 50 while over-ager Madison Dodd has been rock solid through the middle.

KEY PLAYERS

Swan Districts duo of Patterson and D’Addario have been sensational in the midfield this year, with Humphries adding to that strength on-ball. Wingers Kayley King and West also provide plenty of run and carry for the Swans, while forwards Emily McGuire and Brianna Hyde provide extra targets inside 50 alongside Courtney Zappara.

Subiaco hedges its forward thrusts on key forward Wolmarans, though Claudia Langley and Fina Dethlefsen have also been proven scorers in the past. Their defensive experience of Maggie MacLachlan and Beatrice Devlyn is strong while having Joanne Cregg on the wing, and the in-form Eva Popovsky playing midfield will also help the Lions.

PREDICTION

Both these sides need a win with fourth spot on the line at this early stage of the season. It genuinely is a coin toss, though Swan Districts has competed well against the bottom sides, and been less convincing against the lower sides, while it is vice-versa for the Lions. Perhaps the homeground advantage tips it in the favour of the Black Ducks.