THE West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s competition resumed for Round 5 on the weekend and we took note of some of the top State Academy players to run out for their respective teams, as well as some other mature-age players who impressed.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

South Fremantle:

#1 Noa McNaughton

The Under 16s small forward might not have hit the scoreboard in the match, but it was a tough day for her role. Her pressure was still there and she had her chances – such as a flying shot through traffic in the first term that was intercepted in the goals square – and did what she could. In the second term she weaved around an opponent at the top of 50 but it came off the side of the boot, and then tried to make something happen charing inside 50 late in the second, but was dragged down. As South Fremantle’s forwards did not see as much of it in the second half, her numbers dropped off, but she did have a good kick inside 50 in the opening minute of the second half. McNaughton managed the 10 disposals and two inside 50s.

#5 Jess Verbrugge

A creative outside type who catches the eye when she pops up with ball-in-hand, Verbrugge was clean by hand or foot, and created running in transition. She generally used it well and put it to dangerous spots inside 50, with enough strength to stand up in a tackle. Verbrugge looks like a more outside Dana East in the fact she has really risen over the last six months, uses it effectively and creates run and carry. Though she is more of a wing than a contested ball-winner, Verbrugge definitely has upside and a deadly sidestep that sees her evade capture. Verbrugge picked up the nine touches.

#9 Lauren Wakfer

The AFLW Academy ruck strung together another good performance, albeit against Claremont’s second ruck after Adele Arnup went down in the opening minute of the match at a ruck stoppage where the players collided. Her ruck work was dominant around the ground, and she is quite consistent with her marking as well, able to take the ball cleanly when leaping for it. Wakfer presents as an option, and can be a half-back target or inside 50, and she has enough athleticism she is not afraid to take the game on. A bit more composure with her kicking is an area that could improve, often thumping it quickly off a step and leaning back in that kicking action. Overall, another big tick for Wakfer ahead of the 2022 AFLW Under 18 Championships. Wakfer managed the 14 disposals, two marks, eight tackles, 18 hitouts and four inside 50s.

#33 Molly O’Hehir

Making her Under 16s debut, the 177cm O’Hehir had an impressive introduction to league football, possessing a strong kick and some clever athletic traits. She was able to move well off half-back to win the ball, and worked up and down the ground to win her fair share of touches on the outside. Despite being an outside player, O’Hehir also applied good pressure, and her kicking technique when given the chance is very impressive. As a 2006-born talent, O’Hehir is a name to remember for the future as a potential wing at just under 180cm. O’Hehir finished with 12 disposals and three marks.

Others:

Tanika Bradley was the other South Fremantle State Academy member in the game, picking up six disposals and laying three tackles. Zoe Wakfer made her League debut in just her third match and was among the best Bulldogs with 13 disposals, three tackles, three hitouts and two inside 50s.

Claremont:

#9 Emily Elkington

One of Western Australia’s top talents outside their AFLW Academy members, Elkington pieced together another well-balanced performance. Her defensive traits are elite, and she lays terrifically-strong tackles with good technique. Though at times the usually clean Elkington fumbled a touch, Once she worked into the game, she was very impressive in the second half. She reads the ball well off ruck hands, and uses the ball effectively, thinking her way through a stoppage and for the most part, not being too fazed in the way she goes about it. Elkington picked up 17 disposals, eight tackles and two inside 50s in the win.

Others:

Mackenzie Webb had another solid game, picking up 12 disposals and three marks, holding a high line up the ground, whilst Mikayla Western (20 disposals, six marks, three tackles, two inside 50s and a goal) did her hopes of a full-time contract at the Dockers no harm.

East Fremantle:

#7 Georgie Cleaver

The East Fremantle ruck-forward and AFLW Academy member certainly had an impressive ball-winning display, getting involved around the ground on her way to another 20-plus disposal game. She kicked a nice goal from a set shot in the eighth minute of the match wit ha clean kick off the boot that was incredibly reliable. Cleaver moved straight into the ruck after that, but would rotate between the positions throughout. Seven minutes into the second term, Cleaver set up a goal to Sharon Wong by leading out and then after being spoiled, picked it up and handballed to the running Wong to kick an easy one. Her height at stoppages allows her to win a loose ball or disrupt the flow with a timely hand here or there. Clever finished with 21 disposals, two marks, two tackles, 12 hitouts, three inside 50s and a goal.

#33 Anjelique Raison

The dynamic forward provided a good fierce attack on the ball in the game, but the shots did not quite fall ehr way. In the end, Raison recorded the three behinds, but it was her defensive pressure, and work up the ground that really stood out. She picked up the 11 disposals, two marks, five tackles and two inside 50s, and though she did not kick a goal, still managed to contribute in the forward half.

Others:

There were plenty of eye-catching contributors, with Larissa Versaci and Ashleigh Gomes combining for 53 disposals in a massive effort among some readymade experienced talent, whilst over-age forward Julia Teakle kicked 1.3 from 10 disposals, three marks and three tackles.

West Perth:

#9 Kayla Van Den Heever

Playing through the midfield and off half-back, Van Den Heever’s best moment came in attack, when she created a goal assists with good pressure and a quick handball for the Falcons’ sole major of the day. She gets to the right spots at stoppages to win the ball and is good at being in loose space, with the final execution and reacting quicker at times to situations being areas to build on. Overall she still had a okay game. Van Den Heever recorded nine disposals, two marks and two tackles.

#32 Liliana Grassenis

Prior to coming off in the opening minute of the final term after copping a knock, Grassenis had some highlight-worthy moments charging off half-back. Her disposal from past weeks had picked up, and she took the game on with a number of runs straight down the corridor and kicking long, setting up inside 50 attacks. She laid a massive tackle right before the half-time siren to exemplify her defensive intentions, and her work rate is terrific. In the third quarter, she overcommitted on a spoil and was forced to chase her opponent 40m. Though the opponent got it off to a teammate for a goal, Grassenis did drag her opponent down and force the handball. She just busts a gut with her hard running, and she was very impactful offensively to be in the top couple of players for the Falcons. Grassenis picked up 10 disposals, and laid two tackles.

Others:

Jessica Roper had a standout game with 20 disposals, three marks and three tackles putting her body on the line in what was ultimately a touch job in defence.

Swan Districts:

#7 Emma Nanut

One of the better Swan Districts players on the day, Nanut backed up a strong effort from the week before to put in another impressive performance against the Thunder. Her disposal was generally clean, and she put her kicks inside 50 to dangerous spots, with her work by hand and her run taking over in the absence of Tara Stribley. Nanut cracked in hard and found plenty of the ball, being the second highest disposal winner on her side. A versatile utility, it was arguably her most impactful game from an offensive point of view.

#11 Jaime Henry

Had the incredibly tough job on Kira Phillips, and though the bottom-ager was often outmuscled one-on-one, she did her best when the ball was in the vicinity. She did get bumped off it close to goal in the third term when Phillips kicked it off the deck, then got outmuscled in a one-on-one for a set shot and second goal in quick succession. Aside from that Phillips purple patch, Henry held her own, and for the most part won the battle, also providing a two-way threat with her drive outside of defensive 50. She possesses a nice left foot, is clean and composed under pressure, and can push up to the wing. Henry is just a natural footballer.

#14 Abbygail Bushby

Bushby was the star of the show in Swan Districts’ win over Peel Thunder, and she was our WAFL Women’s Player Focus as well. For a full look at her performance check out that Player Focus.

>> ABBYGAIL BUSHBY WAFLW PLAYER FOCUS

Others:

Tyla Fitzgerald played but had a quiet game by her standards, just picking up the four touches and two tackles. Ruby Mahony is a player that just keeps putting out consistent performances, whilst Mel Hardy remains a classy defender.

Peel Thunder:

#2 Bella Mann

The strong utility started in the midfield and then played a variety of roles across the ground, cracking in at every opportunity and using her strong frame well at the contest. She had a good first half where she won some clearances, and had nice touches both on the wing and at half-forward. Though at times she is forced to rush her disposal based on her role and not being the quickest player out there, her ability to brace for contact and dish off handballs quickly is impressive.

#12 Emily Gunton

Easily her best performance of the year, with some good tackles and implied pressure throughout the match. Gunton is never going to be a massive ball-winner, but she can play a role, and try and nullify an opponent. She did well early on Fitzgerald in the goalsquare to force a rushed behind. After copping a knock early, she shook it off and kept playing, and even had a great run early in the second term to run off her opponent, kick to the wing and hit the target.

#22 Kaitlyn Srhoj

Not quite as dominant as the week before, but Srhoj is just a natural talent who oozes X-factor. She wins the ball and takes off, looking to break the lines and impact for her side. Though still learning when to go and when to compose herself, once Srhoj is able to straighten up and dispose of it in transition, she is generally a good user of the ball who can put it into dangerous positions. On a number of occasions, Srhoj set up goal-scoring opportunities for teammates with sizzling passes inside 50. She is going to be a name to remember over the next 18 months.

#30 Megan Bain

Returned to the side for her second League game after dropping back to the Reserves last week. Her Round 5 match easily surpassed that of her Round 3 game, and she was able to reach double-digit disposals. Bain got to more contests and was involved more readily around the ground, able to mark in space and dispose of it cleanly. Decision making would be an area of improvement for Bain, who tried to fend off Liddle inside the defensive 50 rather than giving it off when she had the chance, and also handballing to Mann who was already under pressure from another opponent. Her spin out of traffic in the third term and disposal is impressive, so she definitely has some nice traits for the future.

Others:

The Thunder had a debutant in Dakota Sexton, with the Under 16s talent recording the three disposals and two tackles in the match, having to adapt to the speed of League level, but taking a good first mark and kicking cleanly. Jade Briggs was another player who caught the eye in the match as she continues to build form coming back from a long-term injury.