- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Swan Districts<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Claremont<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nHOW THEY GOT HERE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HEAD-TO-HEAD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TEAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Claremont-East-Fremantle-WAFLW-PF.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKEY PLAYERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The biggest inclusion to the Sharks this season has been former Tiger Mackenzie Webb<\/a>, who alongside teammate and similarly dual-represented Anjelique Raison<\/a>, the pair have really steadied the backline with skipper Tiani Teakle<\/a>. Funnily enough, Webb will face off against her sister Georgia<\/a> up the other end of the ground, while Abby Maynard<\/a> and young gun India Bonadeo<\/a> have been sensational one-on-one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both sides have a variety of goalkickers, with Bec Anderson<\/a> 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<\/a> and Jacinta Valentini<\/a> also capable of doing plenty of damage on the scoreboard. For the Sharks, Sarah Wielstra<\/a> and Brooke Repacholi<\/a> will look to stretch the Claremont defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Claremont’s experience on the wings between Ruby Sargent-Wilson<\/a> and Megan Green<\/a> will be a help, while the run of Olivia McCay<\/a> and Mylee Leitch<\/a> will provide plenty of transition between the arcs. Watch for the midfield battle between Jayme Harken<\/a> and Jae Flynn<\/a>, while Hayley Bullas<\/a> and Sarah Viney<\/a> up against the likes of Ashlee Atkins<\/a> and Amber Kinnane<\/a> is fascinating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AFLW DRAFT WATCH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
From a top-age perspective, Bonadeo is the name likely to find herself at the next level in 2027, while Cienna Leslie<\/a> has been really solid throughout her final underage year for the Sharks. Next year’s group includes McCay and Lucy Gilbey<\/a> who have proven themselves as hard-running machines. The top one to check out for next season is Hannah Seaborn<\/a> who boasts a safe pair of hands and can be that tall forward\/midfielder of the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PREDICTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n
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