FREMANTLE OVAL will host this year’s WAFLW grand final as a standalone event, with WA Football hoping the move will give the competition’s showpiece match a bigger stage.

The decider will be played on Sunday, August 23, with the Rogers Cup curtain-raiser followed by the grand final at 12.05pm.

WA Football chief executive Brad Wira said scheduling the match separately from the men’s WAFL competition would allow the women’s game to take centre stage.

“The WAFLW Grand Final deserves its own stage, and this scheduling approach enables clubs, supporters and the wider football community to fully embrace the occasion,” Mr Wira said.

“We had a fantastic turnout for last season’s WAFLW decider in what was an epic one-point game between premiers Claremont and Swan Districts.”

Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk welcomed the return of the match.

“Fremantle has a proud history of hosting premier sporting events and I’m so glad to see the WAFLW grand final return to Fremantle Oval this year,” Ms McGurk said.

“Women’s sport deserves its own spotlight and it’s fantastic that Fremantle has the chance to showcase what will be a great day of football.”

Mayor Ben Lawver said the city was proud to host the state’s premier women’s football match.

“We’re very pleased to welcome the WAFLW Grand Final to Fremantle Oval,” he said.

East Fremantle are considered one of the potential threats to back-to-back premiers Claremont, sitting in third spot on the ladder, while South Fremantle are a rough chance after showing further improvement this year – they’re a definite finals contender but would need to pull off some big upsets for any realistic shot at the flag.

Tickets go on sale on August 10, with further details about match-day entertainment to be announced in coming weeks.