A FULL four games take place tomorrow in the WAFL Women’s as more State Academy members have a rest, and others return in what promises to be a huge day of action. We preview each of the matches.

FORM

East Perth came back to earth last week against East Fremantle following its first win the week before, but still sits clear of Peel Thunder on the bottom of the ladder. The Sharks have found their way to second on the ladder and will be there at the pointy end once again.

TEAMS

CHANGES

The Royals have brought in Abbey Barber and Hannah Challender for Jessica Bolton and Matilda Bennett in the only two changes for East Perth. South Fremantle has opted to rest star top-ager Molly O’Hehir while Kate Newson and Hannah Young are also out, as the trio of Tanika Bradley, Makayla Cocking and Pippa Sideris all come into the side.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Though O’Hehir is out of the side, watch for small forward turned midfielder Noa McNaughton to stand up in her absence, while Zoe Keley and Poppy Stockwell have provided great forward targets for the Bulldogs. Lucy Greenwood is the one from East Perth who can turn a game, so expect her to be among the scorers once again.

PREDICTION

South Fremantle looks too good on paper even without some of its top young talent. Though the Royals will put up a fight, expect the experience of the Bulldogs to get up.

FORM

Claremont is yet to lose a game this season and has rarely looked like doing so other than the odd challenge such as Subiaco. However Swan Districts has the scoring power to do some damage, but is yet to find the same consistency, and was well beaten by West Perth last week, albeit not helped by its own inaccuracy.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Swan Districts will unveil exciting young gun Sienna Gerardi who will provide a nice highlight reel in attack, with important players Courtney Zappara and Emma Nanut back into the side with Ava Stewart another player returning to the mix. For Claremont, tall over-ager Bec Anderson is joined by Eva Campo and Lauren Hutton in the Tigers’ lineup, while the injured Amalie Moe, rebounding defender Claire Ortlepp and Abby Maynard are out.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Swan Districts duo Carys D’Addario and Lily Paterson have pieced together consistent seasons this year, with Gerardi adding the spark the Black Ducks might need. Claremont has the two draft-eligible State Academy members in Anderson and Claudia Wright who is coming off a 30 disposal-plus game last week, while Juliet Kelly was also impressive.

PREDICTION

Claremont looks a class above so far this year, and while the last two seasons have shown that means little on grand final day, it is not grand final day, so the Tigers should get up. Expect the Black Ducks to play some exciting football in the process though.

FORM

East Fremantle has worked its way up to second on the WAFL Women’s ladder and is now the chaser to the Tigers’ reign, though Subiaco has been far from disgraced this season as well. The Lions pushed the Tigers more than any other side and kicked themselves out of some games so arguably could be higher on the ladder.

TEAMS

CHANGES

The Sharks continue their rotation policy this season with Zippy Fish, Ashlee Atkins and Leanne Gubbins coming into the side after resting last week, while Caylen Crook and Brooke Repacholi also come in. Philipa Seth departs after a strong stint on the wing, with top-age defender Natasha Entwistle resting among the five outs.

For Subiaco, ruck Tess Lyons returns to the mix with Mikayla Smith and Lauren Vaisey, while Krstel Petrevski, Claudia Langley and Meg McAullay are the outs.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Fish is the obvious star talent in the match, with defender Taya Chambers in some nice form, while forward Tiani Teakle provides a target inside 50. Ruck/forward Olivia Wolmarans has become a key player for the Lions this season.

PREDICTION

East Fremantle should be too strong in this one, though Subiaco gave Claremont a scare a couple of weeks back, and if the Lions can capture that form, they are always a chance.

FORM

West Perth got back on the winners’ list last week with a victory over Swan Districts following back-to-back losses against last year’s grand finalists. The Falcons face off against the winless Peel Thunder who copped another beating in Round 8, going down to Claremont by over 10 goals.

TEAMS

CHANGES

West Perth has made just the two changes with Jeevna Heer and debutant Taylah McGorlick come into the side with the Falcons missing dangerous forward/midfielder Imahra Cameron, and Taylor Drummond drops back to the emergencies. Peel Thunder will be without star defender turned midfielder Evie Cowcher, while Jade Hall, Jaya Ingram and Jessica Jones all become emergencies. Four players come into the side in Keely Hare, Gemma Hill, Tessa Kongras and Anna Watts.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

West Perth winger Megan Norbury was back to her best and ultra-impressive last week, while Mia Russo will rotate between forward and midfield, no doubt having a big impact in this game. Peel Thunder will look to its other State Academy members in the absence of Cowcher, with Holly Britton and Dakota Sexton both capable of providing pressure around the ball.

PREDICTION

The match screams a one-sided contest with West Perth’s best very impressive and Peel Thunder a young team still developing players. No Cowcher is a massive loss for the Mandurah-based side, and while losing Cameron will also hurt the Falcons, they have the better depth and should kick a comfortable winning score.