LESS than a month remains until the first bounce of the 2022 West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s season starts. The season fixtures – albeit without confirmed times and dates – were announced this week. The 2022 premiership season will run from the weekend of February 19-20 through until the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

The big change to the 2022 season compared to past years is the fact that West Perth will be joining the senior women’s competition for the first time. The Falcons step up to make it a seven-team competition. East Fremantle will begin with the bye, and each side will have three byes across the 17 round season. This allows each of the seven teams to play 14 matches ahead of finals.

Reigning premiers Peel Thunder will open their season against Subiaco at Lane Group Stadium, with runners-up Swan Districts travelling to Claremont to face the Tigers. West Perth makes its League debut against reigning wooden spooners South Fremantle, with one of those sides to get its first win in franchise history – barring a draw.

Those keen to watch a Grand Final replay will have to wait until Round 5, when Peel Thunder travels to Steel Blue Oval to take on Swan Districts. Round 9 brings its own challenge with the 2022 AFLW Under 18 Championships taking place from the week after April 16. It means just the one game – West Perth and South Fremantle – will take place.