SOUTH Fremantle‘s first ever West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s win has resulted in a huge haul of players in the Rookie Me Central Team of the Week. The Bulldogs recorded a massive seven players in our 24-player squad following their 74-point win over West Perth. Claremont‘s big victory over Swan Districts resulted in the Tigers having six players, whilst the Swans finished with two. Peel Thunder‘s last ditch victory resulted in five players in the Team of the Week, whilst their opponents Subiaco, had four.

South Fremantle’s haul of seven players is split across each third of the ground. AFLW talent Lauren Gauci has been named in defence, with midfield trio of Lauren Vecchio, Kiara Templeman and Tahlia Holtze split between on-ball and the bench, whilst multiple goalkickers Noa McNaughton and Ashleigh Reidy slot inside 50. At centre half-forward is this week’s captain, ruck/forward talent and AFLW Academy member Lauren Wakfer who dominated with 19 disposals, five marks, seven tackles, 16 hitouts, five inside 50s and 1.2 in the win against the Falcons.

Claremont’s half-dozen representatives includes recruit Claire Ortlepp at full-back, as well as former AFLW talent Katherine Orme, and captain and reigning Dhara Kerr medallist Ella Smith in the midfield. The versatile Sasha Goranova and forwards Tessa Doumanis and Joel Western also made the side. The two opponents that earned places in the Team of the Week were the experienced Swans defender Lauren Osborne, and ruck/forward Sarah Wielstra who would rotate with Wielstra.

Peel Thunder had an even team win over Subiaco, with the five players a mix of experience and youth. At half-back, Cassie Davidson and Ebony Dowson both slot in, whilst up forward, the match-winning goalkicker Kira Phillips has been named at full-forward. Midfielder Chloe Wrigley and exciting forward Aisha Wright earned places on the bench. Meanwhile the strength of the Subiaco midfield was on show with Jayme Harken, Tarnica Golisano and debutant Amy Mulholland all among the most impressive Lions in Round 1. In defence, Beth Schilling did well on ex-teammate Phillips first up and earned a place in the back pocket.

The three emergencies picked out this week were as tough to decide as the actual team. In the end, West Perth youngster Megan Norbury, AFLW-experienced Lara Filocamo and Peel Thunder wing Jaide Britton close to cracking into the team.

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 1

B: Lauren Osborne (Swan Districts) – Claire Ortlepp (Claremont) – Beth Schilling (Subiaco)
HB: Lauren Gauci (South Fremantle) – Cassie Davidson (Peel Thunder) – Ebony Dowson (Peel Thunder)
C: Amy Mulholland (Subiaco) – Jayme Harken (Subiaco) – Kate Orme (Claremont)
HF: Ash Reidy (South Fremantle) – Lauren Wakfer (South Fremantle) – Sasha Goranova (Claremont)
F: Tessa Doumanis (Claremont) – Kira Phillips (Peel Thunder) – Noa McNaughton (South Fremantle)
R: Sarah Wielstra (Swan Districts) – Ella Smith (Claremont) – Lauren Vecchio (South Fremantle)
INT: Chloe Wrigley (Peel Thunder) – Tarnica Golisano (Subiaco) – Aisha Wright (Peel Thunder) – Mikayla Western (Claremont) – Kiara Templeman (South Fremantle) – Tahlia Holtze (South Fremantle)

EMG: Megan Norbury (West Perth) – Lara Filocamo (Subiaco) – Jaide Britton (Peel Thunder)