Preliminary Final WAFLW PreviewFriday, June 28, 2024 - 8:45 AM - by Chris Pike

A SPOT in the 2024 WAFLW Grand Final goes on the line on Saturday afternoon with Claremont playing host to West Perth and there's a lot to look forward to.

East Fremantle became the first team to qualify for the WAFL Grand Final for 2024 with a narrow three-point win in the second semi-final last Sunday against Claremont.

The Tigers had earned a second chance by ending the home and away season in second spot and they now play host to West Perth in this Saturday's preliminary final at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Claremont is attempting to win through to a third straight Grand Final decider against East Fremantle with both teams having split a premiership each in the past two years.

West Perth, meanwhile, is fresh off not only playing in its first ever final but winning the first semi-final at Pentanet Stadium last Saturday against Swan Districts by 44 points.

Last time the two teams met saw West Perth beat Claremont for the first time in the WAFLW as well in a two-point thriller which also took place at Revo Fitness Stadium setting the stage for a fascinating preliminary final match up.

West Perth's Kat Bennett is a premiership player herself from Claremont back in 2022, but she returned to the Falcons at the start of 2023 and now is hoping for a day to remember back on her old home deck.

"The irony is not lost on me that I have to beat my old side, which I respect and admire, playing my 50th league game to make the grand final," Bennett said.

"But I think if you ask anyone who plays sport competitively once we cross that white line friends become enemies but after the siren no matter what the score is, we are still friends."

Claremont's Kobi Nichols was part of that premiership in 2022 alongside Bennett back in 2022 as well along with the team that made the Grand Final last year, and now has continued to be a key piece in the Tigers team of 2024.

The 34-year-old mother has already decided that the 2024 season will be the last of her WAFLW career, but she's hoping it extends into a third straight Grand Final appearance to get another crack at East Fremantle.

However, she is fully aware that the Falcons can't be taken lightly.

"I have a lot of respect for the way East Freo play so to get so close to beating them is a real positive. We’ve done a fair amount of reflection from that game and I’m confident we can dig deep and pull out our best game yet come grand final," Nichols said.

"We’re well aware that West Perth can bring it, we experienced that the last time we played them!

"There are a few girls who played at Claremont, plus a young side who have worked super hard to improve so much from last year. No complacency, we’re confident in how to achieve the goal and we will give it everything."

PRELIMINARY FINAL: CLAREMONT v WEST PERTH – REVO FITNESS STADIUM, SATURDAY 3.05PM