PREVIEW | 2024 WAFLW Round 11: Sunday

A HUGE top three clash and bottom two battle complete Round 11 of the WAFL Women’s, with plenty on the line for all four sides in action. We preview the East Fremantle and West Perth game, followed by East Perth hosting Peel Thunder.

  • Team
  • East Fremantle
  • West Perth

FORM

Both teams are sitting comfortably inside the top three, with only losses to Claremont, and then the Sharks’ win over West Perth separating the two sides. A win for the Falcons tomorrow would result in them snatching second spot back as they boast the best percentage in the league, but would need to turnaround a pretty convincing win from last time out.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Both sides have brought in some quality players, with East Fremantle top-ager Natasha Entwistle joining past Dhara Kerr Medallist Sharon Wong in the team. Forward Sarah Wielstra will add some hieght, while Samara Pluschke brings experience, as the quartet takes the places of Brooke Repacholi, Jasmine Johansen, Kate Inglis-Hodge and Siena Jezierski-Brown.

West Perth recalls star talent Imahra Cameron alongside Ebony Jackson and Dakoda Hallam. The three out of the side are Stacey Francis-Bayman, Kenleigh Duve and Ritiha Dunn.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Entwistle joins fellow top-age trio in Zippy Fish, Taya Chambers and Tiani Teakle in the side. Last time these teams played off, Fish ran riot with 39 disposals and a goal in a dominant performance. The Falcons will look to bottom-ager Mia Russo for a spark up forward, while top-age winger Megan Norbury has been named on-ball this week.

PREDICTION

East Fremantle won last time and at home should get the job done with a really strong squad. West Perth need to contain Fish to have any chance of getting over the line, while getting it inside 50 consistently for its forwards to score.

  • Team
  • East Perth
  • Peel Thunder

FORM

Both sides are essentially on the rebuild, but for a second season in the league, East Perth has done very well, defeating Peel Thunder on the road earlier in the season, then shocking South Fremantle at home last round before the bye. The Royals can make more history here by making it two on the trot against a Thunder side yet to win a game and in full rebuild mode.

TEAMS

CHANGES

East Perth has kept its team selection rather simple with just two ins and two outs heading into the Sunday clash. Tall Matilda Bennett returns alongside Jessica Bolton, with Abbey Barber and Eliza Van De Velde dropped to emergencies.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

East Perth forward Lucy Greenwood has enjoyed a great season to-date and is the real danger in attack. She can be creative and assist others, while also hitting the scoreboard herself. Mature-age midfielder Jess Verbrugge is also firing on all cylinders this year as an eye-catching midfielder. For the Thunder, regaining Cowcher is a huge thing as she is a star of the future in defence, while Holly Britton and Dakota Sexton are versatile top-age midfielders to watch.

At the time of publishing, Peel Thunder had made at least three changes, but with a squad of 25 named to be cut to 21 before the first bounce. The trio making way so far were Anna Watts, Bridey Jackman and Kristen Rudler, while impressive bottom-ager Evie Cowcher headlined seven inclusions to the side. Cowcher and Ava Cristodero were the two named on the field, while Holly Bilcich and Holly Coomey were among those on an extended bench.

PREDICTION

East Perth has improved vastly as shown by its win over South Fremantle in Round 9, so should notch up victory number three here, as the Thunder continue to build towards the future.

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