ONLY one of the four teams can ultimately lift aloft the 2023 WAFL Women’s premiership cup, with today’s semi-finals to knock out the first competitor, and send another to the grand final. Claremont will be gunning for back-to-back flags and a spot in the big dance when it takes on South Fremantle in the major semi-final, while there is no turning back for either East Fremantle or Swan Districts in the minor semi-final.

PAST RESULTS

These two sides faced off a fortnight ago with Swan Districts getting up by 12 points, 7.6 (48) to 5.4 (34). The Sharks were missing some quality players including Zippy Fish and Georgie Cleaver, while Swan Districts was missing Jaime Henry too.

Forward Taylah Edwards (four goals) and Courtney Zappara (two) were outstanding, while Ruby Mahony had a match-high 19 disposals. Beth Beckett had 18 touches for the Sharks.

Swan Districts also got ahold of East Fremantle back in Round 8, booting 5.4 to 0.0 in the first half to run away with the match, 8.8 (56) to 4.3 (27). The same players were missing along with the Sharks’ other AFLW Under 18 Championships members as it clashed with the state match.

Zappara had a day out with 4.4 from 14 disposals, while Chloe Reilly booted three of her side’s four majors. Mahony (26 disposals) was prolific again, as was Kayley King (21), while Sharon Wong (21) and Ashleigh Gomes (19) stood up for East Fremantle.

TEAMS

KEY PLAYERS

The East Fremantle midfield of Wong, Gomes, Beckett and Fish looms as its key to victory, and winning it against a unit that includes Henry, Mahony, Tyla Fitzgerald and Hope Ugle-Hayward. The forward line of the Black Ducks has been on fire in the second half of the season, with Zappara and Edwards both damaging, but Cassie McWilliam also hitting the scoreboard.

Up the other end, Anjelique Raison, Mylee Leitch and Ashlee Atkins can do a stack of damage, so there are some big jobs for Demi Liddle, Eliza Gelmi and Isabella Edgley.

PREDICTION

It is a tricky one to pick as Swan Districts has won both prior matches, but neither saw the best of East Fremantle. Though the Black Ducks have every chance of getting up, a full-strength East Fremantle playing to its potential is hard to beat.

PAST RESULTS

The last time these two sides faced off was back in Round 11, there a fast four goals to nil start at Fremantle Oval helped the visitors Claremont post a 29-point win. South Fremantle kicked all three of its goals in the second term, while a four-quarter performance from the Tigers resulted in an 8.4 (52) to 3.5 (23) victory.

Jayme Harken (24 disposals) and Matilda Sergeant (20) were both prolific for the Tigers, while Rachel Ortlepp booted 2.2 from 12 disposals. Ariana Hetherington (15 disposals, 27 hitouts) was influential in the ruck for the Bulldogs, while Molly O’Hehir booted two goal from 11 disposals.

In Round 6, Claremont also got the better of South Fremantle, holding them at ay and gradually building each quarter to win, 8.2 (50) to 5.4 (34). It was far from a disgrace for the Bulldogs, but Claremont booting seven goals to three in the first three quarters was the difference.

Madeleine Scanlon ran out for the Tigers and showed her class with 17 disposals, as did Sergeant, while young gun Ella Slocombe finished with two goals from 12 disposals. Tahleah Mulder (20 disposals, one goal) and Kloe Bassett (19 touches, eight tackles) were the key players for the red and whites.

TEAMS

KEY PLAYERS

Both sides have some quality midfields, with Claremont’s experienced group of Sergeant, Harken and Sarah Viney going up against a rotating one that includes South Fremantle skipper Lauren Vecchio, double bottom-ager Renee Morgan and O’Hehir who will roll into there for some speed. Unfortunately the Bulldogs have lost Charli Wicksteed after she was drafted to Richmond, which followed on from the player who played her role previously in Mulder.

They do have some outstanding talents though with Noa McNaughton and O’Hehir both dangerous up forward, while Bethany Bond and Zoe Huggett are both marking targets. For the Tigers, Mackenzie Webb and Claire Ortlepp are rock solid defenders, while Adele Arnup won the competition’s leading goalkicker.

PREDICTION

It would be brave to tip against a Claremont side that has not lost all year and it is tough to see them do that here. South Fremantle is the clear second best side in the competition, but would need to be at its best and add a bit of luck to roll the red-hot Tigers.