SOUTH Fremantle and Peel Thunder are still chasing that elusive first win of the 2024 WAFLW season, and while the Thunder are rebuilding with a stack of raw and talented youth, the Bulldogs have a team for the here and now. A tough draw has seen them go 0-2, but the performances have been strong and their best will be up there with the title contenders.

FORM

Both these sides come into the Round 3 contest without a win, though the Bulldogs have looked significantly better in the first fortnight. A premiership contender, South Fremantle copped both grand finalists from last season and held up well, going down in tight losses to Claremont and East Fremantle. Peel Thunder started well against West Perth before fading away, and were never really in the contest against Swan Districts, so will hope to improve here.

TEAMS

CHANGES

The home side has made at least three changes with top-age State Academy member Dakota Sexton missing, alongside Makinley Minchin and Kandice Hart who are out of the side. They regain a host of players as part of an extended bench, with Riley Fisher settling into midfield. Caitlin Cooper, Jaya Ingram, Jordain Thompson and Giaan Evans have all been named starting in attack, while Anna Watts is on a wing.

South Fremantle has only made the one change with debutant Alira Fotu making way for the return of forward Zoe Huggett, while Megan Bain and Shannyn Pomersbach are among those on the extended bench.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Both these sides have a stack of State Academy members, with AFLW Academy utility Molly O’Hehir finding her feet in midfield. She along with small forward Noa McNaughton are two to keep in mind for this year, while Renee Morgan is a top talent for next year. Ruck Kate Newson is another top-age draft prospect playing against her former side, while mature-ager Poppy Stockwell has been in ripping form.

For Peel Thunder, despite missing Sexton, the duo of Jorja Haines and Holly Britton are coming off impressive Round 2 matches, while bottom-ager Evie Cowcher is an intercepting machine. She spent some time further afield last week so it will be interesting to see her role this weekend.

KEY PLAYERS

The youth are the key players for both sides, though for the rebuilding Peel Thunder, skipper Ebony Dowson is a crucial cog in defence. Midfielder Ebony Bilcich is also a constant, while Gracie Fenton was important returning to the side last week.

For the Bulldogs, Liusaidh Gilchrist and Lauren Vecchio are natural ball-winners and provide support for the young guns, while Stockwell is a huge threat in the forward half of the ground. Pia Durk and AFLW-listed Ariana Hetherington are other important players for the red and whites.

PREDICTION

South Fremantle is likely to be at the pointy end of the season, and the Bulldogs performances thus far have shown that. While not yet getting reward for effort, they should do so here against a rebuilding Peel Thunder who have been promising in patches, but are very young and still gelling in season 2024.