ACTION returns to the WAFL Women’s competition after a league-wide bye due to the State Game as the four matches are split over both days. In this article we preview the Peel Thunder-West Perth and South Fremantle-East Perth contests tomorrow.

FORM

Both these sides only have the one win for the year – beating Perth – so to say this game is a crunch clash is an understatement. The Falcons do have a game in hand over the Thunder, having already had a bye and sit 1-3, while the Thunder are 1-4 though boast an incredibly strong percentage of 95.2 considering their ledger which shows how competitive they have been. The Falcons’ 99.3 per cent is just as good, of course with one less loss than their opponents.

TEAMS

CHANGES

West Perth welcomes back defender Jessica Roper after more than 400 days out of WAFLW action, having recovered from her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. She is one of vie changes for the Falcons, with Tazma Hutson, Sara Riou, Mia Robis and Natasha Spurr all coming in. Top-ager Samara Sallie is among the outs for the visitors.

Peel Thunder has made three changes, losing Fremantle-listed pair Evie Parker and Matilda Banfield, while omitting Nakia Jilley. They regain key player Cassie Davidson, as well as recalling Emma Grundy and Tess Hall.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Two of Western Australia’s top draftable talents will run around in the game with Peel intercepting defender Evie Cowcher and West Perth explosive midfielder Mia Russo among the top prospects. Otherwise the two sides have plenty of future talent with bottom-agers Lexi Strachan and Cara Dziegielewski joining Russo in the middle, while Tiama Collard and Charlie Fletcher (2027 AFLW Draft) and Heidi Ireland (2026) have really added some class and toughness respectively to the Thunder.

PREDICTION

West Perth has the proven finals experience, though this does loom as a real danger game. The Thunder midfield performs strongly and has the overall experience edge, the question just remains around them kicking a winning score. The Falcons have struggled off and on this season, so essentially if West Perth play at its best, then should win, but if the Falcons drop off, the Thunder can certainly make life difficult for them.

FORM

South Fremantle copped its second loss of the season last round going down to Claremont by 22 points as it bid farewell to Poppy Stockwell. They face a more favourable task against a 1-3 East Perth side that sits eighth on the ladder with a percentage of 53.6. The Bulldogs are just inside the top four with East Fremantle pressing, so a win here is paramount for their finals hopes.

TEAMS

CHANGES

East Perth has kept it simple with three changes for the match, bringing in Brianna Hyde, Jorja Elisseou and Charli Bassett. They replace Stefany Stack and Tara Maciupa (both emergencies) as well as Zoe Roberts. South Fremantle on the other hand has upended its side withe a whopping eight changes from its Round 5 loss.

Of the notable ins are ex-AFLW talents Bailey Hunt (Western Bulldogs) and Tahleah Mulder (Fremantle), while State Academy members Marie Polimeno and Eva Flynn make a return. Forward Shannyn Pomersbach is another inclusion, with midfield duo Liusaidh Gilchrist and Alyssa Smogavec out, as are Fremantle-listed pair Holly Ifould and Indi Strom.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

It will be good to see Polimeno return for the Dogs and take up a spot behind the ball where she impressed in the first few rounds. She and midfielder Renee Morgan are a couple of promising players, with the latter being a consistent ball-winner on the inside. Flynn is raw but gets a second crack at it after making her debut at the start of the season. East Perth is still missing Lucy Greenwood who is a top-age draftable prospect from the Royals. Mature-age midfielder Jess Verbrugge is a readymade option to keep tabs on however.

PREDICTION

South Fremantle has lost some talent through the midfield, but has beefed it up at the same time so ends up a net positive. The Dogs should be too good for the Royals, who will be competitive, but the class factor of South Fremantle – as well as its experience edge – should be the tipping point.