THREE matches take place tomorrow as Round 8 of the WAFL Women’s competition begins. The pick of the bunch is between two finals contenders coming off victories in Subiaco and South Fremantle, while other sides battling for the eight, Swan Districts and West Perth also promise to produce a ripper. In the anticipated one-sided contest of the day, reigning premiers East Fremantle is tipped to bring East Perth back to earth after the Royals’ impressive win over Peel Thunder last week.

FORM

For the first time in history, East Perth enters a match coming off a win. The Royals did enough to get past fellow winless side Peel Thunder, and if they continue that form this season, will likely avoid the wooden spoon. This is a far bigger challenge though, with East Fremantle sitting second with only a blemish against ladder leaders Claremont thus far this season.

TEAMS

CHANGES

East Fremantle has the luxury of resting a few players coming into the game, as well as trying out some different combinations against the more inexperienced side. Last week’s star Zippy Fish comes out of the side along with defender Leanne Gubbins, forward Ashlee Atkins and utility Caylen Crook.

Returning to the team are a quartet of players in Grace Freeman – who plays her first League game in 2024 coming off one game at Rogers Cup where she booted 2.3 against Peel Thunder – as well as Kate Inglis-Hodge, Siena Jezierski-Brown and Samara Pluschke.

East Perth has also made five changes with AFLW players Jessica Rentsch and Kayley Kavanagh back out of the side, though Kavanagh also heartbreaking tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last week. Chloe Sauzier is also among those who make way, while Jessica Bolton, Tristin Ogonoski, Matilda Sim, Eliza Van De Velde and debutant Elly Sara.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Last week saw the best of bottom-ager Lucy Greenwood and she is the main one to keep an eye on from the Royals, while the defensive duo of Natasha Entwistle and Taya Chambers standout for the Sharks. Freeman will be a handy inclusion up forward to fit alongside fellow State Academy member Tiani Teakle.

KEY PLAYERS

East Fremantle’s midfield even without Fish is outstanding, with Ashleigh Gomes, Amber Kinnane, Chloe Wrigley and Beth Beckett all ultra experienced. For the Royals, Jess Verbrugge is a speedy talent, while the defence of Sarah Madden, Sabella Banks and Matilda Sim will be a key area that needs to hold up.

PREDICTION

The Sharks to be too strong in this one, though the test for East Perth will be how competitive the Royals can remain in four quarters against a title contender. It is a great challenge for such a young side.

FORM

Both these sides have had their moments throughout the WAFLW season, with West Perth holding onto third spot after a loss to East Fremantle, while Swan Districts sits at 3-3 following a defeat at the hands of South Fremantle.

TEAMS

CHANGES

The teams have made minimal changes with Kelly Polla and Ava Stewart making way for Luka Davis and Keira Kennedy at the Swans, while Matilda Bain comes in for State Academy member Samara Sallie at the Falcons.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

The Falcons have top-ager Megan Norbury and bottom-age forward Mia Russo as members of the State Academy, while the Swans look to midfielder Carys D’Addario as their representative. Keep an eye out for the in-form Lily Paterson and athletic Indiana West who have impressed this season.

KEY PLAYERS

Swan Districts duo of D’Addario and Paterson have been superb this season, while the experience of Emma Humphries and Demi Liddle will be important for the Black Ducks. Up forward, the dangerous combination of Courtney Zappara, Taylah Edwards and Emily McGuire will look to stretch the Falcons defence. For West Perth, Kaitlyn Roper joins Emily Bennett and Bianca Webb in midfield, while Imahra Cameron has been thrown forward to create a spark.

PREDICTION

The match promises to be a pretty tight contest, but West Perth should bounce back on form this year. The last couple of weeks has seen the Falcons outplayed by more experienced sides, but West Perth has the experience advantage around the ball and should have more depth to get the job done.

FORM

Two sides who have shown their potential throughout the season and sit just outside the top four do battle in an important clash to keep in touch with those in the finals spots. Subiaco is coming off a gallant defeat against Claremont, while the Bulldogs got past Swan Districts in a similarly close contest.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Both teams have reeled out the changes, with several big moves both in and out of the side. Among the big names to return for the Lions are winger Hayley Corlett and AFLW-experienced duo, Joanne Cregg and Krstel Petrevski. Ruck combination Tess Lyons and Isabelle Starmer will miss out though.

For South Fremantle, Zoe Huggett, Ella Matthews and Kate Newson will add some height to the lineup to stretch the Bulldogs, while the likes of Tahleah Mulder, Liusaidh Gilchrist and the injuryed Madizen Wilkins will miss.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Subiaco has leaned on Olivia Wolmarans not just up forward but also through the ruck at times and she will again be an important player for the Lions. Youngsters Eva Popovsky and Madison Dodd have also been in great form. For the Bulldogs, top AFLW draft prospect Molly O’Hehir is always a damaging player, while small forward Noa McNaughton has been named on-ball and ruck Zoe Keley will start forward.

KEY PLAYERS

Subiaco has a real even team across the board with Popovsky, Dodd and Petrevski all providing stacks of defensive pressure and a willingness to run. Beatrice Devlyn in defence is key, while Corlett on the outside adds a point of difference to the lineup. South Fremantle utilises the speed and skill of O’Hehir frequently, while Poppy Stockwell and Huggett up forward is a formidable duo, especially now with Shannyn Pomersbach providing another marking target.

PREDICTION

Another tight contest, South Fremantle has the top-end young talent to really do some damage on the scoreboard, but Subiaco has often just let itself down with kicking on goal, so if the Lions can be accurate, they are a shot here to potentially move into the top four.