The Scorchers are well placed to reach the final again after controversially gaining home-ground advantage for Thursday's semi-final with the Sydney Thunder.

The Thunder finished the season in second spot, compared to the Scorchers' third.

But because the men's first BBL semi-final between Perth and Hobart will be played at Perth's $1.5 billion Optus Stadium, the WBBL semi-final will also be played there as a curtain-raiser.

The Scorchers' WBBL team coughed up a winning position in last season's final, losing to the Sydney Sixers by seven runs in Perth.

And although their results this season have been hit and miss, Scorchers wicketkeeper Emily Smith hopes they can perform when it counts.

She said the pain of losing of last season drove them during the pre-season.

"There was plenty of pain and tears. But hopefully, it will all be worth it," Smith said.

"We've had to get there (to the finals) the hard way, which is something that we sort of like.

"I like being a bit of an underdog. We are quietly confident we will be able to put on a good show.

"Definitely nothing to lose. Hopefully, we can go out and play with a bit of freedom."

Star Scorchers batters Elyse Villani and Nicole Bolton loom as the Thunder's biggest threats after combining this season for 921 runs.

But Smith said the Thunder also had match winners in captain Alex Blackwell, Stafanie Taylor and Fran Wilson.

Blackwell said she understood why the WBBL semi-finals would be curtain raisers to the men's.

But she said there was too big a gap between the women's and men's Perth games, meaning many fans wouldn't come early enough to watch the WBBL semi-final.

"When the crowd has to wait a couple of hours from the end of our game until the start of the men's game - I don't think we're quite getting it right," Blackwell said.

"Unless we shorten that gap, I would support a stand-alone tournament whereby the top-finishing teams can host the game at their home venue."

Scorchers squad: Elyse Villani (capt), Megan Banting, Nicole Bolton, Katherine Brunt, Piepa Cleary, Lauren Ebsary, Heather Graham, Emma King, Thamsyn Newton, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Natalie Sciver, Emily Smith.

Thunder squad: Alex Blackwell (capt), Sam Bates, Nicola Carey, Rene Farrell, Maisy Gibson, Lisa Griffith, Rachael Haynes, Fran Wilson, Rachel Priest, Naomi Stalenberg, Stafanie Taylor, Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa.