A SPOT in the WAFL Women’s Grand Final is on the line Sunday when reigning back-to-back premiers Claremont tackle old nemesis East Fremantle in the preliminary final. Swan Districts awaits the winner, while for the loser, the door closes on season 2026, so will it be a step closer to a three-peat for the Tigers? Or a continuation of the fairytale for the Sharks?

HOW THEY GOT HERE

After two nail-biting finals wins last season – including a grand final victory by a point – the Tigers were on the receiving end of a one-point defeat, going down to Swan Districts in the qualifying final. East Fremantle on the other hand looked to have everything under control against South Fremantle before a late Bulldogs surge had the blue and white faithful sweating. Fortunately the Sharks steadied and booked their place in the preliminary final against their old rivals.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The most recent matchup between the two came at Revo Fitness Stadium back on June 27, where Claremont won by a thrilling three points to keep pressure on top spot. Prior to that, East Fremantle won a nail-biting Friday night thriller at The Good Grocer Park by a solitary point, showing there is nothing between these two sides in season 2026.

TEAMS

KEY PLAYERS

The biggest inclusion to the Sharks this season has been former Tiger Mackenzie Webb, who alongside teammate and similarly dual-represented Anjelique Raison, the pair have really steadied the backline with skipper Tiani Teakle. Funnily enough, Webb will face off against her sister Georgia up the other end of the ground, while Abby Maynard and young gun India Bonadeo have been sensational one-on-one.

Both sides have a variety of goalkickers, with Bec Anderson ranked second overall this season and looms as a major threat, though the Sharks cannot take any of the Tigers forwards lightly, with Rachel Ortlepp and Jacinta Valentini also capable of doing plenty of damage on the scoreboard. For the Sharks, Sarah Wielstra and Brooke Repacholi will look to stretch the Claremont defence.

Claremont’s experience on the wings between Ruby Sargent-Wilson and Megan Green will be a help, while the run of Olivia McCay and Mylee Leitch will provide plenty of transition between the arcs. Watch for the midfield battle between Jayme Harken and Jae Flynn, while Hayley Bullas and Sarah Viney up against the likes of Ashlee Atkins and Amber Kinnane is fascinating.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

From a top-age perspective, Bonadeo is the name likely to find herself at the next level in 2027, while Cienna Leslie has been really solid throughout her final underage year for the Sharks. Next year’s group includes McCay and Lucy Gilbey who have proven themselves as hard-running machines. The top one to check out for next season is Hannah Seaborn who boasts a safe pair of hands and can be that tall forward/midfielder of the future.

PREDICTION

It is too tough to overlook the experience of Claremont at home. The Tigers have been there and done it before in big finals, and in front of a home crowd against a relatively young Sharks lineup, should get there in the end. Expect it to be close, but Claremont to win by around 12 points.