WAFLW 2024: Claremont and East Fremantle rivalry intensifies with third straight grand final show down

The two most powerful clubs in the WAFLW are set to meet in the grand final for a third time in as many years for the biggest chapter in their unprecedented rivalry. East Fremantle and Claremont will break their 1-1 tie when they collide on Sunday’s huge decider, with the absolute best in West Australian women’s football on show. And it is impossible to decide who enters as favourites — the Sharks claimed the flag last year despite the Tigers being odds on to win it, one year after they were upset by the same team after an unbeaten year. Coming in as the reigning premiers, East Fremantle co-captain Ashleigh Gomes said her side preferred to stick with the underdog mentality as they look to win back-to-back titles. “Going into another grand final, yes, we are classified as the favourites, but I don’t think you can ever think you’re favourites against Claremont especially,” Gomes told The West Australian. “We’re so hungry for the win and know how it felt in 2022 with Tempo (Matt Templeton) when we lost. “Going into 2023 was redemption year and we have a lot of girls who are most likely going to be drafted so there might be a few girls going out of our team this year, so we have a lot to play for in that aspect as well.” Claremont co-captain Rachel Ortlepp has led the Tigers through the highs and lows of the past two years and says this season has been unique. “It’s been different every year, there’s always new challenges even though both teams have been very successful for the past three years you do come into the grand final with different wins and losses,” she said. “We learnt a lot from our grand final in our premiership year but I think we learnt even more last year. “The history between our clubs is pretty intense now and I think there is some really healthy bad blood on the field but then off the field we obviously have a lot of respect for each other.” The Tigers have already had one win this week, with star midfielder Jayme Harken claiming her second consecutive Dhara Kerr Medal at the WAFLW Awards on Monday night. Harken pipped Shark’s draft prospect Zippy Fish by just one vote and Gomes says the two midfield guns will be a key match up on the weekend. “The game will be won around the stoppages and having Jayme and Zippy go head to head its going to be a good contest,” Gomes said. With rain forecast for Sunday, Ortlepp believes the game will won by the team that handles the conditions best. “I think particularly given the wet weather forecast this weekend a lot of it will come down to how we defend the ground, the defence will be huge this weekend.” The decider starts at 2pm on Sunday at Pentanet Stadium.