CLAREMONT has beaten East Fremantle in the latest chapter of the two sides’ intriguing WAFL Women’s rivalry, with the Tigers fighting back from as many as nine points down at the final break to come out on top by 11 on Saturday night.

The Round 3 match had a little of everything, with both sides showing their best at times, but also looking susceptible when the opposition was on top. Once the Sharks gained momentum in the third term and went more than a kick in front, it looked like they would go on with it.

However a classy goal from top-ager Ella Gilbey followed by back-to-back majors from Jacinta Valentini – the first of which came with controversy – secured the Tigers’ 7.6 (48) to 5.7 (37) victory at Revo Fitness Stadium.

There was always going to be a contentious talking point between these two great sides, and it came when Claremont was two points down at the 13-minute mark of the final quarter. A nice passage of play with pinpoint passes across the 50 from Juliet Kelly to Jayme Harken and then Valentini set up the latter with a set shot from around 35m out.

The forward-midfielder went back and launched for home, going all the way to the line where several Sharks immediately called touched and were setting up to take the kick in. However the umpires went into referral mode, and after a brief pause, gave the all-clear which handed Claremont a two-point lead.

Just to make sure of the result though, Valentini slotted another major just a few minutes later to put the result beyond doubt with Claremont able to run out the game strongly and remain undefeated in the 2025 WAFL Women’s season thus far.

The turnaround from the third to fourth terms was stark, with Claremont’s usual suspects getting on top in thej midfield. The experience of Sasha Goranova and Harken – fresh off West Coast’s AFLW list – and Sarah Viney were critical in getting on top of the Sharks on-ball. The trio shared 80 disposals between them, with Harken herself coming back from being caught a few times in the opening half, to being instrumental in setting up plenty of chances in the second half.

It was not all one-way traffic though, with Sharks recruit Noa McNaughton incredibly dangerous inside 50, even though she did miss a shot on the edge of three quarter time she should have put through the big sticks which would have made the three quarter time margin 14. She was everywhere, while up the other end, fellow teenager Maya Louvel-Finn continued her reliable season.

Though Claremont’s midfield took the chocolates, the work of Ashlee Atkins on the outside and Jae Flynn and Sarah Wielstra in transition going forward kept the Tigers on their toes. Madison Evans had a great battle with Gilbey who did kick a couple of majors, but the Sharks defender enjoyed some crucial one-on-one wins.

Despite hobbling a little after hurting her knee in a clash in the third term, National Academy member Alicia Blizard bounced back to slot an important goal later in the quarter to put her side eight points up. She finished as the Sharks’ only multiple goalkicker with Wielstra (1.3) and McNaughton (0.2) having their opportunities around the big sticks.

Both teams prepare for massive Good Friday clashes against unbeaten opposition, with East Fremantle hosting Subiaco and Claremont welcoming South Fremantle in what promises to be a massive day of action next weekend.

CLAREMONT 1.2 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 7.6 (48)
EAST FREMANTLE 1.3 | 2.3 | 5.7 | 5.7 (37)

GOALS:
Claremont: E. Gilbey 2, J. Valentini 2, L. Cinanni, R. Orlepp, S. Viney
East Fremantle: A. Blizard 2, L. Gubbins, C. Reilly, S. Wielstra

RMC BEST:
Claremont: S. Viney. S. Goranova, E. Gilbey, J. Harken, M. Webb
East Fremantle: A. Atkins, N. McNaughton, J. Flynn, M. Louvel-Finn, S. Wielstra

AROUND THE GROUNDS

West Perth got on the board in the 2025 season with a breakthrough win against newcomers Perth on Friday night. Starting strong, the Falcons kept the Demons goalless in the opening term and then to just two goals for the match, eventually running out 10.13 (73) to 2.2 (14) victors.

Mia Russo had a day out with 26 disposals, three marks, three tackles and two goals in the win, while Chloe Metcalf peppered the goals with 3.4 from 14 touches. Perth co-captains Holly Britton and debutant Isabella Shannon were the pick for the Demons.

In the battle between two unbeaten sides, Subiaco emerged victorious against Swan Districts, grinding out a 5.7 (37) to 1.7 (13) victory at Steel Blue Oval. The Lions, led by Layla Quinn-Schofield (three goals) made more of their chances up forward, as the experience of Lisa Steane, Paige Sheppard and Maggie MacLachlan was key. Top-age talent Carys D’Addario stood up for the losing side.

Meanwhile South Fremantle managed to kick away from Peel Thunder late to go 3-0 in the 2025 WAFLW season. The Thunder have remained competitive in each match, and drew within two points at the final break, before a couple of last quarter goals secured the victory for the Dogs. Tahleah Mulder picked up 34 disposals and booted a goal in the win, teaming up well with Fremantle-listed Holly Ifould, while Chloe Wrigley and Ebony Bilcich picked up big numbers for the Thunder.