THE 2026 WAFL Women’s season comes down to one final game as minor premier Swan Districts takes on a surging East Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday. The Swans are out to make amends for last year’s one-point Grand Final heartbreak, while the Sharks return to the decider after a remarkable pair of finals wins. East Fremantle got the better of Swan Districts when the sides last met on Grand Final day in 2019, but will history repeat or will the black and whites complete a dominant season with the premiership cup?

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Swan Districts was the team to beat throughout the home-and-away season, finishing a game clear on top with a 14-2 record before turning the tables on reigning premier Claremont in the second semi-final. Having fallen to the Tigers by a point in last year’s decider, the Swans reversed the result by the same margin, holding on for a 5.4 (34) to 4.9 (33) win to earn a week off and direct passage to the Grand Final.

East Fremantle took the long road after finishing third at 10-6, first surviving a late South Fremantle charge to win the elimination final by four points. The Sharks then led Claremont for much of the preliminary final before the Tigers forced extra time, only for skipper Tiani Teakle to drift forward and kick the golden goal that sealed a 7.2 (44) to 5.8 (38) victory.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Swan Districts has had the better of East Fremantle twice this season, winning by 23 points at The Good Grocer Park in Round 3 and by 27 points at Steel Blue Oval in Round 14. The Sharks started strongly in the first meeting before the Swans pulled clear after half-time, while the return bout was set up by a 5.4 to 0.2 opening half from the minor premier. Raging Dhara Kerr Medal favourite Jaime Henry was a major factor on both occasions, collecting 31 disposals and eight tackles first up before producing 35 disposals and seven tackles in the second clash.

TEAMS

The only listed change comes from East Fremantle, with the Sharks making one alteration to the side that won the preliminary final. Chloe Colegate returns for Clotilde Decaux and adds proven ball-winning ability against this opponent after recording 21 disposals, four marks, seven tackles and four inside 50s in Round 14.

KEY PLAYERS

The midfield battle starts with Lauren Quaife in the ruck for Swan Districts, though East Fremantle can rotate Zoe Keley and Brooke Repacholi through the role. Quaife had 34 hitouts in the first meeting and 38 in the second semi-final, while Keley is coming off 39 hitouts, 12 disposals and seven tackles against Claremont. The winner of that battle will give their on-ballers first use, with Henry, Naomi Baker, Makaela Grau and Luka Davis going head-to-head with Flynn, Ashlee Atkins, Meg McAullay and Amber Kinnane.

East Fremantle’s defensive unit has been the backbone of its finals run, with Mackenzie Webb, Teakle and Anjelique Raison all strong in the air and reliable one-on-one. They face a difficult task containing Joanne Huggins Leading Goal Kicker Ashley Sharp, who kicked two goals in the win over Claremont, while Chloe Reilly found 18 disposals and a goal against the Sharks in Round 3. The run and creativity of Summer Ajduk, Summer Yarran and Isabella Edgley only adds to the challenge.

At the other end, Sarah Wielstra and Brooke Repacholi will look to stretch a Swan Districts defence featuring Jessica Cox – who will no doubt roll through the middle – Jemma Sly, Eliza Gelmi and Demi Liddle. Cox has been particularly damaging on transition against East Fremantle, winning 19 disposals in Round 3 and 25 in Round 14, so the Sharks’ forwards will need to make her accountable if she intercepts back there.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

East Fremantle top-ager Cienna Leslie enters the decider in strong form after collecting 13 disposals and nine tackles while keeping Claremont captain Rachel Ortlepp goalless in the preliminary final. Bottom-ager Olivia McCay was just as influential with 16 disposals, five tackles and three direct goal assists, including the final kick to set up Teakle’s winner. For Swan Districts, Ajduk and Shaya Yarran provide X-factor, while Grau and Grace Hirst have important roles behind the ball.

PREDICTION

East Fremantle has shown throughout the finals that it will not be overwhelmed by the occasion, and its pressure and experienced defence give it a genuine chance of causing an upset. However, Swan Districts has been the competition’s benchmark, won both meetings between the sides convincingly and should benefit from the week off. Expect the Sharks to make it a tighter contest than the previous two clashes, but the Swans’ midfield depth and greater number of scoring options should see them break through for a long-awaited premiership. The big question is whether or not the Sharks are a little bit gassed from the epic preliminary final. Swan Districts by 22 points.