A PERTH Derby in the WAFL Women’s takes place under lights at Pentanet Stadium as Round 14 kicks off in style. West Perth is headed to the finals series for the first time in women’s club history, while East Perth looks set to avoid the wooden spoon.

FORM

West Perth is coming off two inspirational wins over Claremont and South Fremantle after looking dead to rights both at the start and three quarters through those matches. The Falcons now face an East Perth side that looks like it has run out of gas. After a promising few weeks, the Royals have suffered 60 and 101-point losses in the past fortnight.

TEAMS

CHANGES

The Falcons are taking no chances coming into this match, welcoming back Brooke Hongell and Erin O’Brien to the forward half of the ground, as well as teenage State Academy members, Mia Russo and Samara Sallie. The four who will miss are Matilda Bain, Tia Bergin, Sophie Fisher and Natasha Spurr.

East Perth has also made four changes with Brianna Cleggett and Tierrah Miller making their debuts. They join ruck Matilda Bennett in the side, while Jessica Bolton also comes in. Among the four players out are Matilda Sim and Courtney Lindgren.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

The return of Russo and Sallie gives the Falcons some run around the ground and extra speed, while the smooth-moving Megan Norbury starred last week and is a top-ager to watch. East Perth’s Lucy Greenwood is always a danger inside 50, while mature-age midfielder Jess Verbrugge has draftable qualities.

PREDICTION

West Perth should win and win well. It will just depend on how much the weather will impact the match and hence the scoring, with the Falcons needing percentage in their battle with Claremont for second spot.