EAST Fremantle have gone outright top in the 2022 West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s competition after defeating Peel Thunder in an entertaining contest. In other results, Claremont piled on more pain to newcomers West Perth, whilst Swan Districts made it back-to-back wins, defeating Subiaco in the final game of Round 4.

East Fremantle stands alone as the sole undefeated side this season, taking out reigning premiers Peel Thunder in the all-undefeated clash to open Round 4. In an incredibly high-octane contest that featured plenty of end-to-end action and some big clashes, the Sharks kicked away in the second half to win 9.6 (60) to 7.5 (47). At one stage the sides were level at 21-apiece, but the visitors booted six of the next eight goals to race out to a 26-point lead, before back-to-back Kira Phillips majors in the last five minutes gave the Thunder a sniff, but they ran out of time.

East Fremantle had 30 more disposals, the first side to out-possess the Thunder all season, though the Thunder laid 17 more tackles to bring the heat. There were five multiple goalkickers between the teams, with deadeye shooter Kate Bartlett continuing her impressive form with three more majors, whilst Phillips – who had been quiet for most of the match, slotted two in an instant. Anjelique Raison, Madeline Ross and Larissa Versaci all hit the scoreboard multiple times for the winners.

Versaci was particularly influential in the clash, racking up 14 disposals, three marks, three tackle and four inside 50s to go with her two goals, whilst AFLW Academy member Georgie Cleaver slotted a goal and had 15 disposals, three marks and three hitouts. Mylee Leitch was also a standout with 16 disposals, five marks, two tackles and six inside 50s. Also lively were Julia Teakle (10 disposals, three marks and a goal) and Amber Kinnane (10 disposals, five tackles) in high impact performances.

For the Thunder, Bartlett’s three goals certainly caught the eye, but it was the job of speedy bottom-ager Kaitlyn Srhoj (21 disposals, eight marks, two tackles and a goal) and inside midfielder Chloe Wrigley (21 disposals, seven marks, eight tackles and four inside 50s) who stood out. Ebony Dowson and Cassie Davidson also showed their reliability in the back half, with midfielders Jaide Britton and Gracie Fenton both busy as well.

In Round 5, it will be a top-against-bottom battle when East Fremantle hosts West Perth, whilst Peel Thunder will travel to Steel Blue Oval in the first grand final rematch of the year against Swan Districts.

PEEL THUNDER 1.3 | 3.3 | 5.4 | 7.5 (47)
EAST FREMANTLE 1.1 | 4.4 | 7.6 | 9.6 (60)

GOALS:

Peel Thunder: K. Bartlett 3, K. Phillips 2, J. Haines, K. Srhoj
East Fremantle: A. Raison 2, M. Ross 2, L. Versaci 2, G. Cleaver, A. Kinnane, J. Teakle

RMC BEST:

Peel Thunder: K. Srhoj, C. Wrigley, K. Bartlett, E. Dowson, J, Britton
East Fremantle: L. Versaci, M. Leitch, G. Cleaver, J. Teakle, A. Kinnane

Claremont bounced back from its first loss of the 2022 season to inflict its biggest ever winning margin, defeating cellar dwellers West Perth by 78 points. For the second time in three matches, the Falcons were kept scoreless, and had just four inside 50s for the match, with the largely teenage-based squad just overpowered by the Claremont experience. In saying that, there was plenty to take out of the game for the Falcons, who only conceded four goals in the second half – and just one in the third term, as they refused to give in during the 11.12 (78) to 0.0 (0) loss.

Claremont had 151 more disposals (291-140) and 46 more inside 50s (50-4), but the defence of the Falcons did not make life easy for the Tigers. The likes of Kayla Stagg (17 disposals, four marks), Jaymee Duke (13 disposals), Nicole Bombardieri (10 disposals, fur tackles) and Liliana Grassenis (seven disposals, two marks and four tackles) all tried to stand tall. State Academy member Kayla Van Den Heever had some promising moments throughout, whilst Tarzara Kelly recorded three of her side’s four inside 50s. In the ruck, though beaten overall, Cameron Dawson won her fair share of hitouts, and provided an option around the ground.

Claremont had plenty of standouts across the board, with Tessa Doumanis kicking four first half goals to be the spark the Tigers needed, also picking up 19 disposals, five marks, two tackles and two inside 50s. Eva Campo (three goals from 16 touches), Brooke Whyte (one goal from 13 disposals, six marks and four tackles) and the returning Mikayla Western (17 disposals, four inside 50s and a goal – should have been a handful of majors) all combined well. In the midfield, Sasha Goranova and Sarah Viney picked up 27 disposals and 10 inside 50s between them, whilst ruck Adele Arnup had a match-high 25 hitouts, and also collected 21 disposals, four marks, five tackles and five inside 50s in the win.

Claremont travels to Fremantle Oval next week to take on the Bulldogs who are coming off a bye in Round 4, whilst West Perth tackles the top of the table Sharks when they face East Fremantle at New Choice Homes Park.

WEST PERTH 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 (0)
CLAREMONT 3.3 | 7.5 | 8.10 | 11.12 (78)

GOALS:

West Perth: Nil.
Claremont: T. Doumanis 4, E. Campo 3, K. Bennett, T. Thorogood, M. Western, B. Whyte

RMC BEST:

West Perth: K. Stagg, L. Grassenis, N. Bombardieri, J. Duke, C. Dawson
Claremont: S. Goranova, T. Doumanis, A. Arnup, M. Western, B. Whyte

Swan Districts just reminded the WAFL Women’s competition of what the black and whites are capable of, following a comprehensive 49-point victory over Subiaco. Both sides headed into the clash having picked up their first wins last week, but the confidence Swan Districts had gained from that, carried into this clash, with a particularly strong second half, slotting seven goals to one as they ran out 11.6 (72) to 3.5 (23) victors over the Lions. Midway through the second term, just two points separated the sides, but kicking seven of the next eight goals, the Swans blew out the lead to 37 points at the final break, and then capped it off with another strong fourth quarter.

It was fitting that 200-gamer Lauren Osborne put the final nail in the coffin just before the siren to make it a match-high 49 points, having missed a chance just moments early. The reliable defender had played a good game in the back 50, but pushed forward late to see if she could hit the scoreboard, and snuck in with a major with the final kick of the day. Elsewhere, it was the work of Taylah Edwards (three goals from 13 disposals and four marks) and Abbygail Bushby (two goals from 12 touches, two marks and five tackles) who finished with multiple majors. Captain Jessica Cox (28 disposals, five marks, four tackles and three inside 50s) and Tara Stribley (26 disposals, six marks, two inside 50s and 1.3) had the ball on a string yet again, whilst fellow mid-forward rotations Ruby Mahony and Tyla Fitzgerald held their own all game.

For the Lions, Helen Taylor was a standout, picking up 18 disposals and always looking dangerous around the ground, as the usual suspects in Tarnica Golisano (15 disposals, five tackles and three inside 50s) and Jayme Harken (12 disposals, six tackles) were again outstanding. Up forward, Nyra Anderson kicked an early goal against her former side on her way to 12 disposals, tow marks, four tackles and two inside 50s, while Hayley Corlett bobbed up when her side needed her with two goals from seven disposals, five tackles and three inside 50s. Abbey Dowrick played her first WAFLW game of the season and had a steady 11 touches, five tackles and two inside 50s.

Swan Districts now gear up for a massive Round 5 against Peel Thunder in a grand final rematch, whilst Subiaco earn a break, having the bye next week before taking on West Perth on the road in Round 6.

SWAN DISTRICTS 1.1 | 4.4 | 8.4 | 11.6 (72)
SUBIACO 0.0 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 3.5 (23)

GOALS:

Swan Districts: T. Edwards 3, A. Bushby 2, L. Osborne, S. Proudfoot, A. Sharp, T. Stribley. C. Wicksteed, C. Zappara
Subiaco: H. Corlett 2, N. Anderson

RMC BEST:

Swan Districts: J. Cox, T. Stribley, R. Mahony, T. Edwards, L. Osborne
Subiaco: H. Taylor, J. Harken, T. Golisano, N. Anderson, H. Corlett