AFTER a full slate on Saturday games in Round 7, the WAFL Women’s is back to split across Saturday and Sunday, kicking off with the three Perth sides and Claremont all in action. The reigning premiers will take on East Perth up first, before a Derby between the Demons and Falcons takes place.

FORM

Incredibly the Tigers came away still undefeated last week despite not winning, ending up splitting the points with fellow unbeaten side Subiaco. They will be the superior team in this contest especially in experience, with East Perth suffering a big loss to Peel Thunder in Round 7 and have just the one win to its name.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Unfortunately the Royals lost Layla Firns to injury early in last week’s match so she misses alongside the outs of Courtney Lindgren and Zoe Peters, the latter of whom has been named as an emergency. Claremont on the other hand has made just the one change with winger Kate Orme unavailable and Rebecca Tuckey coming into the 21.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Juliet Kelly might have a big more freedom in the game as she has had some great defensive jobs over the journey, while Hannah Seaborn and Ella Gilbey look to hit the scoreboard with terrific X-factor inside 50. Charli Bassett has been an exciting addition to the Royals and the club’s sole available State Academy member.

PREDICTION

As mentioned, Claremont should simply be too strong and experienced for East Perth who is still missing a couple of key players in Firns and Lucy Greenwood. The Royals are usually competitive for a time, but if the Tigers kick straight, then expect them to go on with it fairly comfortably.

FORM

Perth is still searching for its inaugural win in the WAFL Women’s competition having come into the top flight state league this season. The Bombers face a West Perth outfit that has seemingly clicked into gear now with back-to-back wins over Peel Thunder and East Fremantle to move up to an even 3-3 on the season and within striking distance of fourth spot.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Unfortunately the Falcons will be minus star midfielder Mia Russo for the clash, with the top-ager out of the side along with Gemma Bailey. Coming into the West Perth lineup are Olivia Ferguson and Chloe Metcalf, the latter of whom has been named deep forward. Perth has made a solitary change with Paige Bower replacing Jordyn McRae.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Though Russo is out of the game, the Falcons have a couple of high-end bottom-agers in ruck/forward Cara Dziegielewski and onballer Lexi Strachan who play key roles within West Perth’s midfield. They will take on an equally young group, while for the Demons, Mia Carlshausen and Addison Opalinski have impressed as rebounding defenders.

PREDICTION

Another game that should be fairly straight forward to predict. Russo is a big loss for the Falcons taking pace out of the midfield, but the experience around the ground should be too much for the young Demons. Perth is still battling on bravely this season well and have not lost any admirers, and hopefully the first win is not too far away.