THREE of the top four sides face off against the bottom three sides tomorrows to complete Round 12 of the WAFL Women’s competition. After the standalone match in Broome today, the remaining three contests play out on Sunday with second through to fourth taking on sixth through eighth on the ladder which could creates some major separation.
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South Fremantle
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Peel Thunder
FORM
South Fremantle lost its first game in five weeks last round when it lost to Claremont for the second time this season. With the exception of a draw to Subiaco in Round 1, the Bulldogs have overcome all their other opponents to sit clear in second. Peel Thunder on the other hand, have lost seven on the trot and after two defeats to West Perth, are eight points adrift of the Falcons in seventh spot.
CHANGES
The Bulldogs have called up six players including the likes of forwards Hunter Cronin and Ella Ward, while Heidi Hughes and Abbey Barber are named in the defensive posts. Renee Morgan has also been named at half-back, with only two confirmed outs thus far including Dakoda Hallam.
Peel has only needed to make one change, surprisingly dropping Krystal Carter back to an emergency though she did cop a bad corkie against West Perth, with Ebonee Hardie returning to the lineup. Midfielder Gracie Fenton is also an emergency for the match.
KEY PLAYERS
South Fremantle have a potent forwardline that was relatively well held last weekend, but Molly O’Hehir still managed to kick a couple of majors. Along with Noa McNaughton, Bethany Bond, Zoe Huggett and Casey Byrne, the home side is tricky to contain.
Greta McKinley stepped up for a huge game last week against West Perth, picking up 29 disposals, while youngsters Kaitlyn Srhoj and Holly Britton were equally impressive. Kira Phillips is still a danger to any opposition defence if she can get enough chances as well.
PREDICTION
South Fremantle should have this covered pretty comfortably given its form this season, with Peel still firmly getting games into young guns for the future as the Thunder rebuild on the run for the years ahead.
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West Perth
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East Fremantle
FORM
West Perth got back on the winners list last round for its second victory over Peel Thunder, and handed new interim coach Clint Degebrodt his first WAFLW win as the Falcons mentor. The home side will have a significant rise in quality in terms of opposition here, but East Fremantle is hardly flying. A win over East Perth snapped a poor last month which included three losses, with a draw to Claremont easily the best result in that time.
CHANGES
West Perth will be minus Megan Norbury and Jeevna Heer for the clash, limiting the Falcons’ run, while bringing back Karry Plummer and Natasha Spurr into the team.
East Fremantle has lost AFLW Academy member Georgie Cleaver for the match, while Natasha Entwistle and Tayah Palmer also come out of the team. Entering an extended squad of 25 are the likes of Ashlee Atkins, Kim Boulton and Tiani Teakle.
KEY PLAYERS
The Falcons will turn to the likes of Taylor Ferguson, Jessica Roper and Grace Betti to generate that run, with Emily Bennett and Bianca Webb doing their jobs on the inside. Up forward, Elissa Price and Tia Bergin can be scoring options, while Liliana Grassenis brings a mix of offensive and defensive traits.
Minus Cleaver, the Sharks will turn to fellow State Academy tall Anjelique Raison for some height in the forwardline and rolling through the ruck, with Larissa Versaci and Chloe Reilly also in great form. The return of Atkins will equally help the Sharks’ chances, while the move of Zippy Fish into the midfield with Beth Beckett, Ashleigh Gomes and Sharon Wong adds an extra element there.
PREDICTION
East Fremantle has a few too many stars on paper and though the season has not gone as smoothly for the Sharks, should do enough against a West Perth outfit missing a couple of key players.
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Swan Districts
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East Perth
FORM
Swan Districts is in an incredible position at the moment, having won seven games on the trot and only has the winless East Perth standing in its way of making it eight. Granted, the black and whites have not played Claremont or South Fremantle in that time, but you cannot knock winning form and the Swans are in fantastic knick. East Perth was more competitive against East Fremantle last week, but has tired in the second half of the season.
CHANGES
Swan Districts will be without key midfielder Jaime Henry and competition leading goalkicker Courtney Zappara for the game, as the home team wheeled out an extended bench. Coming into the side are youngsters such as Brooke Edwards, Tamzyn Beros and Bella Rigby.
East Perth has made relatively minimal changes compared to normal with just three in and three out. Jessica Davidson, Tahlia Dawson-Gibbs and Mel Hardy come into the Royals’ lineup, with Taylah Horsham one of three to make way.
KEY PLAYERS
Swan Districts might be minus Zappara but still have known goalkickers in Cassie McWilliam and Taylah Edwards, while Hope Ugle-Hayward, Tyla Fitzgerald and Ruby Mahony are a trio of in-form midfielders.
East Perth has unveiled a lot of players this year from other clubs, with Julia Uhe, Lillian Ninyett and Sarah Madden a hard working defensive combination. In midfield, Madeleine Goodman and captain Jess Valvasori have tried hard all season.
PREDICTION
Swan Districts to make it eight on the trot as the most in-form side of the competition. The Royals will hope to make it a challenge for the third placed team, but will have a tough task at the black and whites’ homeground.