- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
East Perth<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Peel Thunder<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nIN A NUTSHELL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two young sides who are realistically not the in premiership contention window yet, but will see this game as a genuine winning chance against the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
KEY PLAYERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The much anticipated return of Kate Bartlett<\/a> to Peel Thunder will be huge, with the side just lacking that dominant forward in 2025. She provides a goalscoring threat and will be a handful, while the half-back line of Ebony Dowson<\/a> and Cassie Davidson<\/a> is rock solid and midfielder Chloe Wrigley<\/a> will always rack it up. For the Royals, bringing in some fresh faces such as Tessa Kohn<\/a> (Glenelg), Elissa Price<\/a> (West Perth) and Tessa Kohn<\/a> (Glenelg) across half forward gives the Royals a completely different look, while Layla Firns<\/a> and Emily Boothman<\/a> are important to the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRAFT PROSPECTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
East Perth’s Lucy Greenwood<\/a> is one to keep an eye on for a fast start to the season with the upcoming Preseason Draft, as is her hard-running wing teammate Elly Sara<\/a>. Top age midfielder\/forward Charli Bassett<\/a> is the main end-of-year prospect, while for the Thunder, they are without their own top-age hope in Heidi Ireland<\/a>, but have bottom-age stars Charlie Fletcher<\/a> and Tiama Collard<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TEAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/East-Perth-vs-Peel-Thunder-26R1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPREDICTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A tough one to call to start the season, but going the way of Peel Thunder because the Royals might take a little while to adapt with quite a few new players coming in. Expect a nail-biter that could go either way though, and most likely a low-scoring scrap in the wet conditions.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Subiaco<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>West Perth<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nIN A NUTSHELL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A team hungry for redemption after a straight sets exit in last year’s finals series, up against a side that fell short of the post-season after injuries and absences tested its depth all year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
KEY PLAYERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subiaco’s famed midfield of reigning Dhara Kerr Medallist Krstel Petrevski<\/a> and fellow former AFLW stars Lisa Steane<\/a> and Paige Sheppard<\/a> is the most stacked on-ball group in the league. They go up against a young Falcons group that admittedly has one of the top prospects in this year’s AFLW Draft, but can take advantage in the ruck through experience with Tess Lyons<\/a>. The Falcons get to unveil a host of fresh faces with double bottom-ager Bella Nelson<\/a> finally eligible for senior football. Katherine Bennett<\/a> and Brooke Hongell<\/a> make their much anticipated returns, while Megan Norbury<\/a> had a great season last year on the wing and has moved inside for Round 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRAFT PROSPECTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately the Falcons are minus Cara Dziegielewski<\/a> in the opening round, but have partner in crime Lexi Strachan<\/a> in the middle. She will have a huge job against such a talented opposition midfield. Lunay Van Den Heever<\/a>, Rikisha Nannup<\/a> and Tayah Nicholson<\/a> are other top-age WA summer hub members. For the Lions, after providing the number one pick in Olivia Wolmarans<\/strong> last year, they have just the one top-ager in Scarlet Gallo<\/a>, with Marley Kelman<\/a> a promising bottom-ager in the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TEAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Subiaco-vs-West-Perth-26R1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPREDICTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subiaco has the more experienced midfield, and showed why last season the Lions can be a genuine contender. The massive key is if West Perth can neutralise that area, because if they can, they look more dangerous up forward and in a real slog which it could be with the weather, the tip goes to the Falcons by four points.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Claremont<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Swan Districts<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nIN A NUTSHELL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A grand final rematch with both sides still boasting a stack of talent, as Swan Districts brought in some key interstate prospects, while Claremont has also added readymade talent to go for a third straight flag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
KEY PLAYERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
These sides are loaded across the board, but hte midfield battle with be fascinating, with the Tigers’ tried and true quartet of ruck Matilda Husband<\/a> and midfield trio Jayme Harken<\/a>, Matilda Sergeant<\/a> and Sarah Viney<\/a> going around. For Swan Districts, adding VFLW star Alana Barba<\/a> and former skipper Jessica Cox<\/a> to a midfield that already features Jaime Henry<\/a> makes it an intriguing battle, while having East Fremantle recruit Chloe Reilly<\/a> in the mix as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRAFT PROSPECTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately the Swans are without top talent Summer Ajduk<\/a> for Round 1, which means Grace Hirst<\/a> is the sole top-ager to key an eye on, while Shaya Yarran<\/a> will need to wait at least a week for her club debut at League level, named as an emergency. It is a similar story for bottom-age gun India Bonadeo<\/a>, but the Tigers have over-ager Juliet Kelly<\/a>, while the likes of Henry and Barba are preseason draft options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TEAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Claremont-vs-Swan-Districts-26R1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPREDICTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swan Districts midfield looks incredibly dangerous, but you can just never write off Claremont. The Tigers will hurt from not having Mackenzie Webb down back, but still have a very strong and reliable squad across the board and you just have to back them in to get the job done.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
South Fremantle<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>East Fremantle<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nIN A NUTSHELL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A rivalry that needed no more spice got a bucketload with a host of former Sharks now playing for the Bulldogs in 2026 as South looks to return to finals, while East is preparing to rebuild in an intriguing Fremantle Derby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
KEY PLAYERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former Sharks skipper Ashleigh Gomes<\/a> lining up at the centre bounce will be a fascinating one against her former side, going head-to-head against any one of Ashlee Atkins<\/a>, Amber Kinnane<\/a> or Noa McNaughton<\/a>. Add in Natasha Entwistle<\/a> and Madison Evans<\/a> who have also switched their blue for red being on the wing and half-back, the Bulldogs are loaded. Former Pie Mikayla Hyde<\/a> is another one to watch from South, while for the Sharks, new skipper Tiani Teakle<\/a> and Victorian pressure forward Storm Johnson<\/a> are ones to keep an eye one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRAFT PROSPECTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
South defender Marie Polimeno<\/a> has returned to the side after missing the preseason matches and is a name to remember for this year, while for East Fremantle, top-age ruck-forward Avuya Nomlatyu<\/a> makes her League debut in Round 1. Hard-running bottom-ager Olivia McCay<\/a> is also in the side, as is Cienna Leslie<\/a>. South has a number of potential preseason draft options such as Evans and Entwistle too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TEAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/South-Fremantle-vs-East-Fremantle-26R1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPREDICTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Fremantle looks like a premiership contender, with the only question mark being the scoring element. The midfield and defence is elite, so the Bulldogs can be a real threat this season. The Sharks still have a strong on-ball group and some key players up either end, so could be competitive, but going with the Bulldogs in this one by a few goals.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>- Kate Bartlett<\/a><\/div><\/li>Ebony Dowson<\/a><\/div><\/li>Cassie Davidson<\/a><\/div><\/li>Chloe Wrigley<\/a><\/div><\/li>Tessa Kohn<\/a><\/div><\/li>Elissa Price<\/a><\/div><\/li>Layla Firns<\/a><\/div><\/li>Emily Boothman<\/a><\/div><\/li>Lucy Greenwood<\/a><\/div><\/li>Elly Sara<\/a><\/div><\/li>Charli Bassett<\/a><\/div><\/li>Heidi Ireland<\/a><\/div><\/li>Charlie Fletcher<\/a><\/div><\/li>Tiama Collard<\/a><\/div><\/li>Krstel Petrevski<\/a><\/div><\/li>Lisa Steane<\/a><\/div><\/li>Paige Sheppard<\/a><\/div><\/li>Tess Lyons<\/a><\/div><\/li>Bella Nelson<\/a><\/div><\/li>Katherine Bennett<\/a><\/div><\/li>Brooke Hongell<\/a><\/div><\/li>Megan Norbury<\/a><\/div><\/li>Cara Dziegielewski<\/a><\/div><\/li>Lexi Strachan<\/a><\/div><\/li>Lunay Van Den Heever<\/a><\/div><\/li>Rikisha Nannup<\/a><\/div><\/li>Tayah Nicholson<\/a><\/div><\/li>
- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>