AFTER a long and entertaining year, the WAFL Women’s regular season comes to a close tomorrow with a couple of huge top four clashes. The minor premiership will be decided by the winner of Claremont and Subiaco, while East Fremantle needs to keep it tight or ideally knock off third placed Swan Districts to grab fourth and face the Swans next week.

FORM

Both these teams have been the benchmark all year and enter the final round matchup as they did the first time they faced off – completely level. Last time they could not be split and if the sequel is anything like the original then fans are in for a ripper. Both have lost two other games but have been the most consistent all year and will meet again next week for a spot in the grand final.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Subiaco has only made one change for the match with ruck Tess Lyons making her return in exchange for Karry Plummer. Claremont on the other hand has made four changes, losing Sasha Goranova and Kate Orme, while regaining Jessica Ritchie and young gun Hannah Seaborn, Tiger pair Jess Freame and May Nicholson are the other inclusions.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Subiaco’s twin towers at both ends are among the top prospects in this year’s draft with Olivia Crane and Olivia Wolmarans both in great form. Damaging left-footed forward Layla Quinn-Schofield has spent time through the middle of late, while Sunni-Quay Peters will run off half-back but can be a wing option as well. For the Tigers, tough midfielder Juliet Kelly remains a key part of the Claremont on-ball division, while Ella Gilbey and Emma Henderson provide run and carry.

PREDICTION

A tough match to predict given the way the first bout between the sides went, though with Claremont having a couple of key outs through the middle of the ground, gives Subiaco an advantage in that area. Expect it to be a nail-biting contest either way though with a single-digit difference expected.

FORM

In what could be another repeat of a finals matchup next week, the third placed Swan Districts will find out if they take on the Sharks for a second week in a row, or instead provide West Perth with an opportunity. The Swans need to win by about three goals or more to knock the Sharks out of the finals, while if East Fremantle win, or keep it close, the Sharks will book their place in next week’s post-season series.

TEAMS

CHANGES

The two teams have made just the couple of changes with State Academy pair Alicia Blizard and Maya Louvel-Finn returning following an East Fremantle bye last round. They replace pair Grace Freeman and Eve Wilson-Sieber. Swan Districts have also recalled a top-ager in Sienna Gerardi as well as Tyla Fitzgerald, while Indiana West and Adi Griffith come out.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Blizard provides the speed and X-factor inside 50, while Louvel-Finn has been a strong, reliable defender all season for the Sharks. Meanwhile for the Swans, West Australian MVP Carys D’Addario will find plenty of the ball and have an impact going forward, with Gerardi adding explosive speed in transition. Ava Stewart could be the one who goes to Blizard or be swung forward if needed at times.

PREDICTION

Swan Districts have been the more consistent team this year and are favourites for the clash, but East Fremantle have shown over the past two months that the Sharks are capable of anything at their best so expect a beauty of a contest.