ATCO WAFLW Finals Series Roars To Life 

A Grand Final re-match and a showdown between traditional rivals sets the scene for a huge opening week of the ATCO WAFLW Finals Series. 

Minor premiers Swan Districts host Claremont at Steel Blues Oval on Sunday in the Second Semi Final at 11.45am while the blockbuster double header finishes with a First Semi Final Derby between East Fremantle and South Fremantle at The Good Grocer Park at 12.30pm. 

Swans Districts and Claremont were the standout performers in the WAFLW home and away season losing just five games between them through 18 rounds. 

The two clubs split their two meetings this season. 

Swans cruised to a 41-point win over the reigning premiers in Round 1, before the Tigers defeated the black and whites by 37 points in Round 8. 

The Sharks grabbed third position with a final round win over the Falcons, setting up a showdown with the Bulldogs, who finished fourth after being defeated by Claremont in Round 18. 

The First Semi will hold extra significance for ex-East Fremantle captain Ash Gomes, who will line up for South Fremantle, trying to end her former club’s campaign. 

In their two encounters this year, the Bulldogs crushed the Sharks by 49 points, before East Fremantle scored a one-point win in Round 9. 

The showdown between the two stand-out premiership fancies is full of intrigue.  

After the Tigers claimed the 2025 flag by one point, Claremont will again confront Swan Districts, with the winner through to the ATCO WAFLW Grand Final. 

Swans have been led by gun forward Ashley Sharp, who finished on top of the league’s goalkicking table with 36 majors, while midfielder Jaime Henry has been the number one midfielder for the minor premiers. 

“I’m really excited for the finals series,” Henry said. 

“We took a lot away from the Grand Final last year and are ready to go that one step better this time round. 

“The group is super connected, and I have full belief in what we are capable of. 

“We are a process driven group and believe if we stay committed to our goals and plans, good things can come our way. 

“It’s certainly going to be a challenging game, as it always is coming up against such a quality side like Claremont. 

“It’s going to come down to who executes on the day across four quarters of footy and who can handle the pressure of finals footy, but I have full belief in the group to make the most of our opportunities on Sunday.”

Henry has enjoyed a stunning season, averaging a staggering 34 disposals a game and is a clear favourite to win the Dhara Kerr Medal for the fairest and best player in the competition. 

“It’s certainly been a big year, and I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the support I have around me from my teammates,” she said. 

“The focus for me is to just to be as consistent as I can be week in week out and play my role for the team. 

“After falling short in the grand final last year, I know we are all hungrier than ever for that team success and the focus is August 23!” 

Henry’s form has opened the way for an opportunity to train with the West Coast Eagles AFLW program. 

“I’ve loved the opportunity to train on with the Eagles the past couple months,” Henry said. 

“The players and staff have been super welcoming and I’ve learnt so much. The group is looking strong for the upcoming AFLW season.” 

For Henry, there’s the prospect of two flags in one season.

“I’m proud to have both the WAFLW and Rogers Cup sides heading into finals this weekend,” she said. 

“It’s an exciting time for our supporters, and for me personally experiencing this all with my younger sister Micaela playing in her first Rogers Cup season. 

“The minor premiership is just a reflection of all the hard work that the girls have put in over the past 12 months and while it’s a great achievement, our focus is now on the next few weeks.”  

The first weekend of the HART Sport Rogers Cup also gets underway this weekend. 

East Fremantle plays Swan Districts in the Second Semi Final at 9.30am on Sunday at Steel Blue Oval before Claremont meets Subiaco in the First Semi Final at 2.45pm at The Good Grocer Park later that day.