IN the first WAFLW preview for the last round, we take a look at Peel Thunder up against Swan Districts and East Fremantle taking on South Fremantle.

FORM

Peel Thunder have been far from disgraced the last couple of weeks with losses to South Fremantle (11 points) and Subiaco (18 points) not too bad considering some beltings prior to that. They will win this year’s wooden spoon, but there is talent to work with in the future. Swan Districts however earned a finals spot last week, and barring a disaster and a shock win for South Fremantle, the Black Ducks will take on West Perth in a do-or-die clash next week, a fixture they won last week.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Swan Districts has lost crucial bottom-age midfielder Carys D’Addario for the clash, with Adi Griffith omitted to the emergencies. Coming into the team are Emma Nanut and Jorjina Kean for the Black Ducks. Peel Thunder has only made the one change for their final match, recalling Riley Fisher in exchange for Nakia Jilley.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Without D’Addario, all eyes for the favourites will fall on exciting small forward Sienna Gerardi who will look to create a spark, while top-age midfielder Lily Paterson has enjoyed a wonderful season at WAFLW level. For the Thunder, the return of Jorja Haines last weeks provides a punch in the attacking half of the ground, while Evie Cowcher and Holly Britton have played some consistent football throughout the season. Dakota Sexton is also looking to finish the year strong.

PREDICTION

Though unlikely to lose fourth spot even with a loss, Swan Districts will look to tune up for finals with a win over the Thunder. Peel has shown to be competitive in recent weeks after things looked grim mid-season, but while the Thunder could keep it relatively tight, are unlikely to cause an upset.

FORM

East Fremantle has looked ominous for a while now and the Sharks will finish off the home and away season against a desperate Bulldogs side searching for a miracle. South Fremantle must somehow knock off the red-hot Sharks who have not lost since Round 3, all while hoping Peel Thunder upset Swan Districts to make finals. They did have a good win against Subiaco a couple of weeks ago, but did not gain enough percentage to be a threat when facing the Thunder last round.

TEAMS

CHANGES

After a rest and unavailability, East Fremantle has loaded up on top-end talent for the clash, bringing in its trio of top-age AFLW Draft prospects who played in the AFLW Academy and Under 21 All-Stars match. Zippy Fish along with defenders Taya Chambers and Natasha Entwistle will all provide headaches for the Bulldogs, while forward targets in Ashlee Atkins and Emmelie Fiedler. An unlucky Grace Freeman – who kicked three goals in the win last week – makes way alongside the likes of fellow youngsters Maya Louvel-Finn and Caylen Crook.

The Sharks are not the only side to bring back some huge names, with Renee Morgan returns for the final game after missing the majority of the season with a stress fracture, named alongside the likes of Kate Newson, Zoe Huggett and Ella Matthews. The Bulldogs do lose defender Hunter Cronin among the outs with Zina Fetahagic and Hannah Young.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

The Sharks trio of Fish, Entwistle and Chambers will always be names to keep an eye on, while tall utility Tiani Teakle has performed strongly in a number of roles. Bottom-age forward Alicia Blizard also has some high upside, as does Bulldogs talent Alira Fotu up the other end of the ground. The return of Morgan is key for the Bulldogs, especially given Molly O’Hehir copped a knock to her knee playing for the AFLW Academy. Ruck/forward Zoe Keley and raw talents Jasmine Bazeley and Marie Polimeno are other youngsters to remember.

PREDICTION

East Fremantle should finish off on a high and have looked the clear benchmark of the competition for the majority of the season. Since losing, the Sharks have hardly put a foot wrong, and in the last few weeks particularly have looked untouchable. South Fremantle has serious talent but looks almost certain to miss finals after reaching a preliminary final last year.