A STANDALONE blockbuster match between last year’s top two sides at the end of the regular season takes place tomorrow, with South Fremantle hosting Claremont. While neither team ultimately took home silverware in 2023, both sides will be back with a vengeance to go better in 2024.

FORM

South Fremantle took it right up to East Fremantle last week, falling just short after being on top for large portions of the game. Claremont shook off a determined Swan Districts to continue its remarkable home and away season run from last year.

TEAMS

CHANGES

The Bulldogs have been able to welcome back Fremantle-listed ruck Ariana Hetherington to the fold, with talented young gun Alira Fotu and over-ager Hannah Young both added to the extended bench which has three rucks on it.

Claremont will be without some experience in Emily Bonser and Matilda Husband this weekend, but are able to bring back Claudia Wright to WAFLW level after a long absence due to injury. The AFLW Academy member is joined in the side by the likes of Jess Low and Amalie Moe, while Savannah Muir, Amy Evans and Lauren Hutton have been named in the 25-player squad.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Two of Western Australia’s AFLW Academy members will light up Fremantle Oval tomorrow with Wright joining Bulldogs tall Molly O’Hehir as the top prospects to watch. Both are athletic with incredible upside and hurt factor. Keep an eye on small forward Noa McNaughton and bottom-ager Renee Morgan among a host of young Dogs, while Bec Anderson is an over-age marking forward for the Tigers. Bottom-ager Juliet Kelly is an elite runner and smooth user.

KEY PLAYERS

It is hard to look past some of the talent in Claremont’s midfield with reigning league best and fairest Jayme Harken and Jacinta Valentini who will spend plenty of time forward. Co-skipper Adele Arnup is always a threat, while the defensive dup of Mackenzie Webb and Claire Ortlepp is important for the Tigers.

For the Bulldogs, O’Hehir will join Liusaidh Gilchrist and Lauren Vecchio as prominent ball-winners, while mature-age forward Poppy Stockwell had a huge first game and will be one to keep a close eye on this season. Shannyn Pomersbach showed some presence in her debut last week, while Zoe Keley, Kate Newson and Fotu are a few more youngsters to keep track of.

PREDICTION

Claremont make it almost impossible to tip against the Tigers, so heading the way of the visitors has become a default tip of late. South Fremantle has what it takes to cause an upset, but the Dogs will need to be at their best to get the win.