THREE WAFL Women’s matches take place tomorrow for the start of Round 13, including a grand final rematch, and a battle between finals contenders. We preview the thee contests in the first of our two previews for the weekend.

FORM

Subiaco is coming off a dominant 10-goal win over East Perth in Round 12 to make it two straight victories and move within four points of the top four. The Lions will be expected to produce another huge win here against a Peel Thunder side that lost 105-0 to East Fremantle last round.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Peel Thunder has been able to bring back key midfielder Ebony Bilcich among three changes, with debutant Nakia Jilley and Jessica Jones. Tessa Kongras, Ava Cristodero and Savannah Ahearn all make way.

Subiaco has also made a number of changes with four of its stars returning. Winger Hayley Corlett, ruck/forward Olivia Wolmarans and AFLW experienced duo Beatrice Devlyn and Krstel Petrevski all come into the lineup, while Molly Warburton, Tess Lyons, Mikayla Smith, Taylisha Brown are those out for the game.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Top-ager Holly Britton is coming off her career-best WAFLW game of 29 disposals, while Evie Cowcher is a consistent interceptor off half-back. Dakota Sexton is versatile member of the State Academy, while Wolmarans will stretch the Thunder defence when forward.

PREDICTION

Subiaco should have no problems collecting the four points in this one. The Lions have much more on the line, and the Thunder will cop the odd beating as they rebuild with plenty of youth for the future.

FORM

South Fremantle has tumbled down to sixth on the table after losing a few stars to injury and suspension the past fortnight, while dropping three on the trot. The Bulldogs’ shock loss to East Perth in Round 9 might come back to bite them, while they were unlucky against Claremont (one point) and overrun against Swan Districts (11). West Perth is coming off an inspirational win over the Tigers and will have its tail up with a genuine shot to grab second spot.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Despite copping a knee knock last week, star young gun Molly O’Hehir has been named, and she will receive some support through the midfield with Liusaidh Gilchrist and Lauren Vecchio coming in. Alyssa Smogavec also returns as does Madizen Wilkins, while Shannyn Pomersbach offsets the loss of Zoe Huggett. Another key out is Kahra Sprylan.

West Perth has lost a couple of key players in Brooke Hongell and Mia Russo who were arguably the Falcons’ two best in their win over Claremont. They will be a little undermanned in attack with Erin O’Brien also missing, but they have recalled Kayla Van Den Heever, as well as Teal Bennett and Kenleigh Duve among five changes.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

With the absence of Russo, it means West Perth winger-turned-onballer Megan Norbury is the sole State Academy member in the lineup, while for the Bulldogs, the likes of O’Hehir, Noa McNaughton and Jasmine Bazeley headline its young crop. Zoe Keley will provide height in attack and through the ruck, while Alira Fotu is a promising future star.

PREDICTION

The outs for the Falcons, and ins for the Bulldogs has really levelled the playing field. West Perth on form should be ahead, but it is one of the stronger South Fremantle lineups this season, so expect it to be a tight contest that could go either way. Few games have had more on the line for both sides than this one.

FORM

Traditional rivals and last year’s grand finalists face off with the Sharks currently the in-form side of the pair. They went down to Claremont at the start of the season, but have won seven on the trot since. The Tigers have stumbled a bit in the past month, dropping two games and only winning their third by a point. It has seen them surrender top spot to the Sharks, and now they are in danger of going to third if West Perth win.

TEAMS

CHANGES

East Fremantle has take the luxury to bring back experienced forward Ashlee Atkins, while also recalling Siena Jezierski-Brown for the top of the table clash. The two that make way are Caylen Crook and Reini Tutuki who are among the four emergencies.

Claremont has made four changes, with experienced duo Sarah Viney and Matilda Husband returning to the side along with Charlotte Adams and Amy Evans. The four outs are Laura Cinnani, May Nicholson, Bridie Garlick and Jess Freame.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

The Sharks are stacked with young talent, headlined by top West Australian draft prospect Zippy Fish who had 29 disposals and kicked two goals against the Thunder. Defenders Taya Chambers and Natasha Entwistle might have more to do this week, while forwards Tiani Teakle and Alicia Blizard are in-form, kicking a combined seven goals between them last week.

Claremont’s AFLW Academy member Claudia Wright is likely to spend more time in midfield this week after being predominantly forward against the Falcons. She and fellow State Academy member Juliet Kelly provide that class around the stoppages.

PREDICTION

East Fremantle is in the better form and Claremont is yet to win a game without Claire Ortlepp this season. Off that data, the Sharks are deserving favourites, though one can never count the Tigers out of a fight.