PEEL Thunder‘s massive 118-point victory over West Perth has resulted in the reigning back-to-back premiers recording a league-high six representatives in our West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s Team of the Week. After the Thunder’s half-dozen players made it in, East Fremantle had the next most with five, whilst the battle between Swan Districts and South Fremantle meant that both sides picked up four players. Despite heavy losses, Subiaco (three) and West Perth (two) were still well represented.
It was fitting that along with having the most representatives, Peel Thunder also produced this week’s captain. Kate Bartlett slammed home eight goals from 12 scoring shots in a best on ground effort across Round 7 to earn the title, with fellow forward Jade Briggs also in the front six. The Thunder’s midfield was incredibly strong, with three representatives including Chloe Wrigley (a league-high 31 disposals), Gracie Fenton and winger Bailey Molloy. Reliable defender Ebony Dowson also made the side.
East Fremantle maintained its unbeaten streak in the competition, and had the five players for Round 7. In defence, Hayley O’Donnell makes her first appearance in the Team of the Week, with ruck Laura Catherine also cracking in for the first time this season. The other three are familiar faces, with youngster Mylee Leitch and the more experienced Larissa Versaci both in opposite forward pockets, whilst Ashleigh Gomes has continually featured onball this season. Her partner-in-crime Sharon Wong is also an emergency for our Round 7 team.
Swan Districts fought hard to win its fourth straight game, and had four players for this round’s side lead by their skipper, and Team of the Week vice-captain Jess Cox. She is named in the centre as part of a Swan Districts spin, with centre half-back and former skipper Emily McGuire, and Fremantle forward Ashley Sharp who is enjoying a terrific season at state league level. Taylor Pescud also made it onto the interchange.
Going down to the Swannies in the closest match of the round, South Fremantle also had four representatives, with Liusaidh Gilchrist named in defence and Poppy Stockwell starting in attack. on the bench are a couple of State Academy members in winger Molly O’Hehir and tackling machine Rosie Anderson who are both high-impact players from offensive and defensive standpoints respectively. Fellow excitement machine Noa McNaughton has been named as an emergency for the side.
On the lower end of the representative scale are the two sides who suffered the biggest defeats of Round 7. Subiaco had a trio of players, with full-back Jamie Rust starting on the field, and consistent ball-winners Jayme Harken and Tarnica Golisano making it onto the bench. West Perth still had two representatives despite the triple-figure defeat, with Megan Norbury earning a spot on the wing, whilst Jessica Roper is in for another week in defence. Falcons’ ruck Cameron Dawson also made the extended 27-player squad as an emergency.
2022 ROOKIE ME CENTRAL WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 7
B: Jessica Roper (West Perth) – Jamie Rust (Subiaco) – Hayley O’Donnell (East Fremantle)
HB: Liusaidh Gilchrist (South Fremantle) – Emily McGuire (Swan Districts) – Ebony Dowson (Peel Thunder)
C: Megan Norbury (West Perth) – Jess Cox (Swan Districts) (vc) – Bailey Molloy (Peel Thunder)
HF: Jade Briggs (Peel Thunder) – Ash Sharp (Swan Districts) – Poppy Stockwell (South Fremantle)
F: Mylee Leitch (East Fremantle) – Kate Bartlett (Peel Thunder) (c) – Larissa Versaci (East Fremantle)
R: Laura Catherine (East Fremantle) – Chloe Wrigley (Peel Thunder) – Ashleigh Gomes (East Fremantle)
INT: Rosie Anderson (South Fremantle) – Gracie Fenton (Peel Thunder) – Tarnica Golisano (Subiaco) – Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle) – Jayme Harken (Subiaco) – Taylor Pescud (Swan Districts)
EMG: Cameron Dawson (West Perth) – Noa McNaughton (South Fremantle) – Sharon Wong (East Fremantle)
