A NEW era of WAFL Women’s action takes place tomorrow with the final puzzle piece slotting into the jigsaw of West Australian women’s football. Perth becomes the ninth and final side to join the top flight state league action, as the Bombers take on last year’s wooden spooners, while a number of players face their former sides first-up.

FORM

Entering the first game of the season, Swan Districts is coming off an eye-catching preseason that has the Swans up and about ahead of the new season. A fourth placed finish last year has them wanting more, and they have brought back some quality players. East Perth avoided the wooden spoon last season, and while the year is still likely to be building, the Royals would love to test their more experienced opponents here.

TEAMS

CHANGES

East Perth welcomes a former Swan Districts forward to the club with Brianna Hyde likely to provide a spark, while ex-East Fremantle defender Hayley O’Donnell will add composure to the back half of the ground. Returning Swan stars in Jaime Henry and Ashley Sharp will add some serious strength through the middle and up forward.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

The class of Lucy Greenwood will be on display in the match with the top-ager the pick of the Royals, while Carys D’Addario is fit and firing after injury interruptions the last two seasons. Sienna Gerardi is another State Academy member with plenty of X-factor.

PREDICTION

Swan Districts should be too strong for East Perth with the visitors a potential flag contender, while the Royals will look to stay ahead of the rebuilding teams. Should be competitive early before the Swans pull away.

FORM

Peel Thunder is coming off a one-win and wooden spoon season last year and faces newcomer Perth in the Bombers’ inaugural game. While Perth fans have to head down to Mandurah for the clash, it will be worth the trip with the Thunder the closest to the Bombers in terms of developmental stage which should make for a tight contest.

TEAMS

CHANGES

All eyes will be on the likes of co-captain Holly Britton and forward Jorja Haines, with the Peel Thunder juniors returning to Lane Group Stadium in different colours. Jasmine Single is a talent out of Queensland to watch, while it is hard not to notice former Australian netballer Caitlin Bassett trying her hand at Aussie rules. for the Thunder, the team has largely remained the same as last season, though regain Chloe Wrigley from East Fremantle.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Two time AFLW Under 18s MVP and WAFLW Rising Star a couple of years ago Evie Cowcher can thwart plenty of offensive thrusts, while Under 16s talent Tiama Collard has cracked into the front five. Perth’s sole top-age State Academy member Addison Opalinski has been named at half-back, while Mia Carlshausen is one to remember for next year.

PREDICTION

A genuinely tough one to pick. History suggests the first year is incredibly tough for new clubs, but Perth looks more readymade than its predecessors. While the Bombers will not expect a stack of wins given the age bracket of the club, this is a winnable game if they can keep the intensity up for four quarters.

FORM

After missing finals last season, the Bulldogs will be hoping to return to the postseason series, while East Fremantle rued falling short of a second consecutive flag. With both clubs having key outs due to the AFLW Draft, the sides are still expected to push for finals and be around the mark throughout the course of the season.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Perhaps the strangest look will be seeing Noa McNaughton running out in the blue and white instead of red and white, having switched clubs over the off-season. She is joined at the Sharks by returning key utility Anjelique Raison (Claremont) who has been named for Round 1. South Fremantle regain Tahleah Mulder back from the AFLW, while having more players to unveil in the coming weeks.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

Top-age Bulldog Eva Flynn is highly rated for her skills and smarts, named at half-forward for Round 1, while Maya Louvel-Finn has some high upside. The Sharks’ top prospect this year is athletic forward Alicia Blizard who has the capacity to tear the game apart. Though the sides do not have as many top-age draft prospects as last year, there are still a number of older talents to keep an eye on such as Poppy Stockwell and Natasha Entwistle.

PREDICTION

Another rip-snorting clash that could go down to the wire. Both have quality players as well as a host of youth looking to step up and replace those who have departed. East Fremantle has the runs on the board of late so the visitors could get up in a close one.

FORM

Last year’s preliminary finalists in West Perth head back to the drawing board in a bid to remain in the finals series after achieving the feat in season three. Subiaco finished just outside the top four, though left a few potential wins out there with some tight losses along the journey.

TEAMS

CHANGES

Yet another player is set to face her former side with ex-Lion Madison Dodd now donning the West Perth kit. She is a key inclusion for the Falcons, who have predominantly opted to promote youth – and they have a fair bit of it – though also welcome Sara Riou to the mix. Subiaco wasted no time going hard at recruiting, bringing in two ex-Swans in Paige Sheppard and Lisa Steane, while also having one eye on the furture.

AFLW DRAFT TALENT

The pick of the matches from an AFLW Draft perspective, there is a stack of talent to watch in the game. National Academy members Mia Russo and Olivia Wolmarans headline the top-age crop, though Subiaco also has the likes of Sunni-Quay Peters (debut) and Layla Quinn-Schofield, while West Perth has Samara Sallie. The Falcons future draft prospects such as Cara Dziegielewski and Lexi Strachan are must-watch stars who will only get better with time.

PREDICTION

West Perth has the hallmarks of being a quality team in the future, but the depth of the Subiaco lineup is unbelievable. Three youngsters aged 20 and under take on three ex-AFLW players in the midfield. That experience gap is huge and one would expect it will give the Subiaco forwards more than enough opportunities to kick a winning score. Expect an entertaining game though.