Round 3 WAFLW PreviewFriday, March 15, 2024 - 12:10 PM - by Chris Pike

THE 2024 WAFLW season further heats up in Round 3 including the first clash between Claremont and East Fremantle since last year's dramatic grand final while West Coast Fever premiership winner Verity Simmons debuts for Subiaco.

There are four matches in Round 3 of the WAFLW season beginning on Saturday afternoon at Lane Group Stadium with Peel Thunder playing host to South Fremantle.

The other three matches take place on Sunday with Swan Districts at home to East Perth, West Perth hosting Subiaco and then Claremont taking on East Fremantle in a fascinating grand final rematch.

When Peel and South Fremantle do battle on Saturday in Mandurah, both teams will be looking for their first wins of the season.

The Thunder have opened up with losses to West Perth and Swan Districts while the Bulldogs drew the short straw taking on the grand final teams, Claremont and East Fremantle, in the first two rounds.

There are two changes for South Fremantle from the team that lost to Claremont last week with Zoe Huggett and Alyssa Smogavec coming into the line-up to take on Peel in Mandurah on Saturday.

Going out for the Bulldogs are Alira Fotu and Ella Matthews.

There are plenty of changes at the Thunder as they hunt that first victory of the season with Caitlin Cooper, Giaan Evans, Riley Fisher, Jaya Ingram, Jordain Thompson and Anna Watts coming into the line-up.

Going out of the team that lost to Swan Districts last Sunday are Holly Coomey, Ava Cristodero, Charlize Thompson, Kandice Hart, Makinley Minchin and Dakota Sexton.

Then on Sunday, the action gets underway with Swan Districts at home to East Perth with Swans attempting to back up last week's win against Peel while the Royals are still hunting a first ever WAFLW victory.

There are plenty of changes at Swan Districts after last week's win over Peel with Luka Davis, Sienna Gerardi, Adi Griffith, Tierrah Miller, Hannah Plummer, Kelly Polla and Sienna Pollard into the squad.

Going out are Naomi Baker, Emma Humphries and A Stewart.

East Perth has added Courtney Horsham, Kayley Kavanagh and Tristin Ogonoski with Emily Boothman, Jorja Elisseou and Sian Vinicombe going out.

Later on Sunday afternoon at Pentanet Stadium and it will be West Perth attempting to stay undefeated so far this season following wins against Peel and East Perth by hosting a Subiaco who has split their first two matches.

Coming into the West Perth this week are Matilda Bain, Ritha Dunn, Jeevna Heer and Elissa Price while Teal Bennett, Dakoda Hallam, Brooke Hongell and Isabel Strover go out.

Subiaco has made four changes attempting to bounce back from the loss to East Fremantle with Chloe Shearing, Verity Simmons, Mikayla Smith and Breanna Wills into the line-up.

Simmons will be making her WAFLW debut with the former West Coast Fever netball captain and premiership winning star gearing up to play in the upcoming AFLW season at the West Coast Eagles.

Going out for Subiaco is Tess Lyons, Jess Pillera, Airlie Runnalls and Beth Schilling.

That all leads into the grand final rematch between Claremont and East Fremantle with the two teams having battled one another in the past two WAFLW deciders for a win apiece.

Both teams have started the 2024 season in winning form too with a win each against South Fremantle while Claremont also beat Swan Districts first up and East Fremantle defeated Subiaco.

Claremont welcomes back Emily Bonser along with adding Charlotte Adams, Hayley Colvin, Amy Evans, Jenna Hawker, Abby Maynard, Savannah Muir and Kate Orme.

Going out for the Tigers are Adele Arnup, Juliet Kelly, Amalie Moe and Eva O'Donnell.

The Sharks have added Jasmine Johansen, Jayda Jones, Rennie Meadmore, Brooke Repacholi, Reini Tutuki and Larissa Versaci.

Going out for East Fremantle are Tiana Teakle and Siena Jezierski-Brown.

Meanwhile, Round 3 of the Rogers Cup also gets underway on Saturday evening in Mandurah with Peel Thunder playing South Fremantle at Lane Group Stadium from 6.45pm.

The other three Round 3 matches take place on Sunday beginning at 12.05pm at Steel Blue Oval with Swan Districts playing East Perth.

West Perth will then be at home to Subiaco from 1.35pm at Pentanet Stadium before Claremont plays East Fremantle from 1.45pm at Revo Fitness Stadium.

PEEL THUNDER v SOUTH FREMANTLE – SATURDAY 4.40PM, LANE GROUP STADIUM

SWAN DISTRICTS v EAST PERTH – SUNDAY 2.10PM, STEEL BLUE OVAL

WEST PERTH v SUBIACO – SUNDAY 3.40PM, PENTANET STADIUM

CLAREMONT v EAST FREMANTLE – SUNDAY 3.50PM, REVO FITNESS STADIUM