FINALS action is on the cards out west as the first week of the post-season series kicks off in the WAFL Women’s competition. The league becomes the first state competition to enter finals, with the clear top two teams doing battle at Steel Blue Oval, while there is no coming back for the loser of the Fremantle Derby. We preview the two games.

SEASONS IN A NUTSHELL

Swan Districts loomed as the team to beat from early on, and it panned out that way, finishing with a superior 14-2 record to finish not only four points clear on top, but a significant percenage gap as well. The Swans are hoping to go one better and turn the tables on back-to-back premiers Claremont who despite having some rare moments of weakness earlier in the year, powered to a 13-3 record and will be eyeing off a fourth flag in five seasons.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

It’s been a hot minute since these sides faced off, and it was a a shock thumping win to Claremont, who won at Steel Blue Oval with a 6.7 (43) to 1.4 (10) result. The loss was Swan Districts’ first of the season, having belted Claremont on the opening day with a 7.9 51) to 1.4 (10) triumph at Revo Fitness Stadium.

TEAMS

KEY PLAYERS

The midfield battle is one to savour with raging Dhara Kerr Medal favourite Jaime Henry having one of, if not the best, seasons on record with a remarkable ball-winning year that included a history-making 51-disposal haul along the way. She will tackle two-time medal winner and back-to-back grand final best on ground winner Jayme Harken in what promises to be a massive contest.

The ruck battle between Lauren Quaife and Matilda Husband is there the contest starts, and then the remaining midfielders are all quality as well with Hayley Bullas and Jacinta Valentini doing battle against the likes of Jessica Cox and Luka Davis. Joanne Huggett Medallist Ashley Sharp is a huge thorn for the Claremont defence, while Claremont relies on an even contribution, while the likes of Ruby Sargent-Wilson add dash from defence.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Coming off their best games of the season, Claremont pair India Bonadeo (26 disposals, three marks and five rebound 50s) and Lucy Gilbey (21 disposals, seven marks and six inside 50s) will be looking to build on those performances going forward. The duo were important in transitioning the ball, while Hannah Seaborn is another bottom-ager who provides a marking target up the front end. For the Swans, Summer Ajduk and Shaya Yarran provided some X-factor as Makaela Grau and Grace Hirst play key roles behind the ball.

PREDICTION

An absolute cracker of a contest and one that we’ve all been waiting for. These two sides look that class above the rest, so realistically expect them to meet a fortnight later with a premiership cup on the line. However for the weekend, the Swans are in slightly better form and will have been primed for this, so Swan Districts in a thriller.

SEASONS IN A NUTSHELL

These two sides come in with similar, yet very different tales given the off-season context and then on-field action throughout 2026. East Fremantle lost a host of experience and most went to their cross-town rivals, but through blooding youth, the Sharks just kept notching up wins. A spirited come-from-behind victory over West Perth last weekend not only gave the Sharks confidence heading into the finals series, but earned them a home final. South Fremantle had to overcome a host of outs – including some big off-season recruits – but did enough to steady in the run home and land in fourth despite a big loss to Claremont last weekend.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The last time these two teams faced off, it went down to the wire, with East Fremantle pipping South Fremantle by a point at The Good Grocer Park back in Round 9. The Bulldogs stormed home in the final term but the Sharks held on to secure the narrow win. Like the other finalists, the first time the two teams met was in Round 1 when the Bulldogs unveiled their new recruits at home and thrashed the young Sharks by 49 points, 7.11 (53) to 0.4 (4). A lot has changed since then, though.

TEAMS

KEY PLAYERS

Without a doubt, the inclusion of former Claremont premiership defender Mackenzie Webb has been a significant one for the Sharks. She will hold down a key role in the back 50 – potentially trying to curb the influence of South Australian recruit Kiana Lee who has made a blistering start to her WAFLW career. The Sharks have no shortage of tall timber with Anjelique Raison and last week’s match-winner and skipper, Tiani Teakle, while Sarah Wielstra and Brooke Repacholi look to stretch the Bulldogs.

South Fremantle have more medium-sized talents such as Hunter Cronin and Annalie Polimeno who can provide a marking target up either end. The Bulldogs’ smalls, including ex-Sharks skipper Ashleigh Gomes and fellow AFLW-experienced players Makaela Tuhakaraina and Tahleah Mulder are also likely to create an edge. The Sharks will look to get on top around the ball through Amber Kinnane, while Ashlee Atkins and Jae Flynn also add crucial experience.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

South Fremantle defender Marie Polimeno is the name to watch, with the roaming, intercepting left-footer capable to playing both half-back and wing, and will look to finish her season on a high over the next few weeks. She has a State Draft Combine invite, while bottom-ager Alexis Edgley has shown promising signs as a raw, athletic key defender. For the Sharks, the ever-reliable Cienna Leslie has had a really good year, while winger Olivia McCay is a name to take note of for next year.

PREDICTION

On paper, South Fremantle has a stack of stars, but East Fremantle has just played superbly as a side. That comeback win over West Perth will given the Sharks plenty of momentum coming into the finals series, and playing at home, they should have the edge. However if the Bulldogs can win the midfield and feed the marking targets such as Lee, then the visitors could put up a big score.