REIGNING back-to-back premiers Peel Thunder will eye off a remarkable third straight flag in the 2022 West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s competition. The Thunder navigated the postponed 2020 season to make the unthinkable rise from wooden spooners to premiers, then did it again last season after sitting just one game off the top from Swan Districts, but pouncing when it counted. Despite losing to the black and whites earlier in the season, the Thunder would go on to inflict the minor premier’s only three losses for the season in the final five games, saluting in the one that counted.
Looking to 2022, and Peel Thunder have plenty of talented players across every line, from youth to experience. From an AFLW Draft perspective, Ella Roberts is the premier top-age player across the country, having starred at League level since she was 14-years-old, and winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at last year’s AFL Women’s Under 19 Championships. Set to once again star for the Sandgropers this season, she will be returning alongside Bella Mann and Emily Gunton. Other players set to represent the Sandgropers at Under 18s level are Megan Bain, Kaitlyn Srhoj and Jordain Thompson.
Though the Thunder have seen Courtney Rowley and Beth Schilling step up to the elite level, the Thunder still ave quality across the board when the pair is not available. Kate Bartlett is the most damaging forward in the league, booting 38 goals from 17 games, ahead of the experienced Kira Phillips (23) and Roberts (14). Among the other starts to keep an eye on, Cassie Davidson, Ebony Bilcich, Lauren Quaife and Ebony Dowson played every game last year, whilst youngsters Tanisha Anderson, Gracie Fenton and Jaide Britton are among the other regular contributors to stand up in their respective areas of the ground.
Peel Thunder will unfurl the flag against Subiaco at the newly named Lane Group Stadium in Round 1, one of three home matches to start the season alongside a bye. The Thunder’s first grand final rematch comes in Round 5 when they travel to take on Swan Districts, before facing them twice in three weeks later in the year.
2022 PEEL THUNDER FIXTURES:
Round 1: vs. Subiaco
Round 2: vs. South Fremantle
Round 3: Bye
Round 4: vs. East Fremantle
Round 5: @ Swan Districts
Round 6: @ Claremont
Round 7: vs. West Perth
Round 8: vs. East Fremantle
Round 9: Bye
Round 10: @ West Perth
Round 11: Bye
Round 12: @ East Fremantle
Round 13: @ South Fremantle
Round 14: vs. Swan Districts
Round 15: vs. Claremont
Round 16: @ Swan Districts
Round 17: @ Subiaco
Connected Ranges “living life of their dreams”
EASTERN Ranges will embark on a second consecutive Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final against the Oakleigh Chargers tomorrow, hoping to go one better than 2023. The Ranges will have a new senior coach at the helm with Jarrad Donders replacing Ash Close in the role, and Donders has continued on that incredible success in […]
Execution key to victory for Vickery’s Chargers
REIGNING Coates Talent League Girls premiers Oakleigh Chargers will face a familiar foe on Saturday when they face the side they beat in the grand final 12 months ago, Eastern Ranges. For coach Ty Vickery, the contest will come down to which side can make the most of their opportunities inside 50. “Both teams still […]
2024 AFLW Season Preview: Collingwood
COLLINGWOOD is known as one of, if not the largest club in the land, yet for its AFL Women’s program for all the quality players who have cycled through the program, the Magpies are yet to make their mark on the AFL Women’s competition. New coach Steve Symonds eeked every bit of talent out of […]
2024 AFLW U18s team analysis: Western Australia
WESTERN Australia enters the 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships with a number of injuries, but still has plenty of talent ahead of its first match against Queensland on Saturday. In today’s article, we take a look at some of the names to watch and all you need to know about the Western Australia’s national championships […]
2024 AFLW U18s team analysis: South Australia
REIGNING back-to-back titleholders South Australia begins its national carnival tomorrow, with the Croweaters now able to control their own destinies. While going undefeated might have meant battling Queensland for percentage, now the Maroons have lost, it means South Australia will have threats in Vic Metro and Western Australia, both of whom it plays this year. […]
2024 AFLW U18s team analysis: Vic Country
ON PAPER, Vic Country has some of the strongest top-end talent in the 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships. Boasting a nation-wide high of six AFLW Academy members, there is no shortage of match-winners within the squad. The depth of Vic Country features a host of newer players or others returning from injury which leaves a […]
Norwood belief builds for SANFLW decider
NORWOOD’s largest losing margin of nine points this season is indicative of the Redlegs belief they can win any game according to coach Brad Ferrall. In the lead-up to tomorrow’s SANFL Women’s Grand Final, Ferrall said it was all about consistency and not dropping off that would help the underdogs become the first side to […]
2024 AFLW U18s team analysis: Queensland
QUEENSLAND is a state on the rise at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, finishing last year’s carnival with a 2-1 record and the loss was a competitive effort against eventual champions, South Australia. The Maroons are tipped to go undefeated this year but unfortunately for both them and South Australia, the sides never face off […]
2024 AFLW U18s team analysis: Vic Metro
VIC Metro is gunning to take back the AFLW Under 18 Championships title after being held by their western neighbours, and they kick off their campaign against the Allies tomorrow. Metro always has fantastic depth to rely on, but still has some star studded talent at the top-end of the list. In today’s article, we […]
