A COUPLE of intriguing contests take place on Saturday for Round 17 of the WAFL Women’s competition. South Fremantle is strong favourite against Peel Thunder but simply must get the job done, while West Perth is looking for a second straight upset against a top two side when the Falcons clash with Claremont who is still hunting for top spot.

FORM

Peel Thunder has been crawling towards the finish off the back of a tiring year that started promisingly, but the young legs ran out of gas and injuries took their toll. With a bye in Round 18, the match marks the Thunder’s last of the season, but they know they will at least avoid the wooden spoon in 2025. South Fremantle had the bye last round and are in a dog fight with East Fremantle and West Perth to make finals, so simply must win this game.

TEAMS

CHANGES

South Fremantle will be relieved to welcome back talented midfielders Bailey Hunt and Renee Morgan for the clash alongside Caitlin Pears. The trio will stock up the side with Ella Matthews among three outs for the Bulldogs. Peel Thunder have also made three changes, able to recall the experienced Cassie Davidson and two young guns in Charlie Fletcher and Heidi Ireland.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Morgan will be looking to reassert herself through the middle as her season comes towards a close, with the top-age prospect and fellow 2007-born talent Alira Fotu the key names to remember. Bottom-ager Marie Polimeno impressed in a move up forward last game, while Eva Flynn showed promising signs for the Sandgropers last weekend. Ireland could play a key role in the middle or down back, while Fletcher adds serious speed to the mix on the wing.

PREDICTION

South Fremantle look too experienced, need the four points and some percentage to catch the other two sides, so the Bulldogs will need to put the foot down and go hard to get the desired result against the young Thunder team hoping to put in one last effort for season 2025.

FORM

Claremont drew level again with Subiaco last week thanks to a massive win over East Perth and their opponents tomorrow in West Perth upsetting the Lions. Now the Tigers must take down the Falcons in order to have a hope of grabbing top spot, given Subiaco has East Perth and will likely build a buffer too great to mow down in the last round.

TEAMS

CHANGES

West Perth has bulked up its squad with the return of its three West Australian representatives. Star top-ager Mia Russo returns to the midfield, as does bottom-agers Lexi Strachan and Cara Dziegielewski just in time to try and help their side make finals.

The three out of the team are Tazma Hutson, Olivia Ferguson and Sophie Fisher. The Tigers have named an extended bench with the experience of Sasha Goranova, Jessica Ritchie and Matilda Sergeant all returning alongside youngsters Ella Gilbey, Juliet Kelly and Mia Jackson.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

The potential midfield battle between teammates turned opponents in Russo and Kelly will be a fascinating one, while Dziegielewski gets her opportunity against a quality two-pronged ruck division. Strachan is another through the middle who can do some damage, while on the outside Gilbey adds serous run and carry to the Tigers’ lineup.

PREDICTION

Claremont has such a well-balanced team it will take a huge effort from West Perth to get over the line. In saying that, the Falcons did it against Subiaco last week so it is possible, and there is just as much at stake for them this weekend. Tigers in an entertaining contest.