ROUND 3 of the WAFL Women’s competition comes to a close tomorrow with a triple-treat across three venues. Two unbeaten sides face off first up in Swan Districts and Subiaco, while a grand final rematch and the inclusion of some AFLW players highlight other games on Saturday.

FORM

Swan Districts returns fresh off a bye in Round 2 after a first-up win over East Perth. Subiaco also beat the Royals last week after a nice win against West Perth in the opening round.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Subiaco regains skipper and ruck Tess Lyons as well as Jess Pillera, while losing the experienced Aimee Schmidt while Jorja Schell also comes out. Swan Districts has gone with an extended bench, bringing in five players including former competition leading goalkicker Courtney Zappara and top-age tall Ava Stewart, while the only confirmed out is Ashley Sharp.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

There is no shortage of AFLW Draft talent in the match, with in-form key forward Olivia Wolmarans a headache for the Swans defence, while Carys D’Addario looms as a key piece in the midfield for the home side. Speedster Sienna Gerardi is another that will create plenty of highlights for hte black and whites, while Sunni-Quay Peters has found her feet in the Subiaco lineup. Layla Quinn-Schofield will look to use her damaging left foot to impact the scoreboard for the visitors

PREDICTION

Two genuine contenders who will look to push Claremont and East Fremantle in the pointy end of the season, the Lions loom as the most experienced side of the pair. Swan Districts does have the homeground advantage, so expect it to be right down to the wire, with the tip going the way of the visitors narrowly.

FORM

After blowing away Perth in Round 1, Peel Thunder showed they will take it up to teams this season with a gallant loss to East Fremantle, while the Bulldogs remain undefeated following wins over the Sharks and Demons.

TEAMS

CHANGES

South Fremantle regains some much needed experience with the return of Fremantle-listed wing Holly Ifould, who is joined in the team by another Docker recruit in Indi Strom. Caitlin Pears and Madizen Wilkins are the other inclusions, with midfielder Liusaidh Gilchrist unavailable, and the trio of Jasmine Bazeley, Ella Ward and Megan Bain also out of the team.

Ifould might go head-to-head with her Fremantle teammate Evie Parker who comes in at Peel Thunder alongside crosscode Docker Matilda Banfield. The pair replace Nakia Jilley and Caitlin Shales in the team.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Evie Cowcher has been her reliable self in the back half and looms as one of the keys to Peel Thunder’s season, while Heidi Ireland has been named in a back pocket. Returning to the Bulldogs last round from injury, Renee Morgan is a natural accumulator and skilled, smart midfielder, while Marie Polimeno has shown promising signs as a rebounding defender for the red and whites.

PREDICTION

South Fremantle has the experience edge, and though Peel looks to be better than many might have predicted preseason, this is another tough ask for the young Thunder team. Bulldogs by a few goals.

FORM

A grand final rematch takes place in Round 3 with Claremont seeing off West Perth last week after a bye in Round 1, while the Sharks made up for their late collapse in Round 1 against South Fremantle, with a challenging, but ultimately successful win over Peel in Round 2.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Claremont will be minus a couple of experienced stars for the match against the Sharks, with both Kate Orme (coaching WA Under 16s) and Taylah Orzel out, while Laura Cinanni and Mia Jackson get their opportunities to shine. East Fremantle has made four chances with Natasha Entwistle and Grace Freeman both unavailable, while Jasmine Johansen and Arnya Pickston are also out. The Sharks regain small forward Noa McNaughton, as well as debutants Charlotte McGregor and Isabella Strnadica, and Angel Rauter.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

There are a couple of genuine goalscoring talents in the match, with both Alicia Blizard (four goals in Round 1) and Ella Gilbey (2.2 in Round 2) impressing for their respective sides. Juliet Kelly has been named on a wing this week after showing signs returning as a defender for the Tigers, while Maya Louvel-Finn has become a crucial part of the Sharks’ back five this season.

PREDICTION

Claremont looked very good against West Perth last week and if the Tigers continue to improve, they are the pick in this one. In saying that, losing Orme and Orzel is not ideal, so the Sharks are every chance, but the tip is with the home side in a tight one.