ALL three winning sides recorded at least four players apiece in our 2022 West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s Team of the Week for Round 11. Subiaco (six) lead all sides, whilst Swan Districts (five), and East Fremantle (four) were both well represented. The three Round 11 losers in Claremont (four), South Fremantle (three) and West Perth (two) all had multiple representatives.

Subiaco was simply sensational, though inaccurate, against South Fremantle, and produced both the captain and vice-captain amongst its six representatives. Actual club captain Tarnica Golisano was everywhere during the match and earned our captaincy for Round 11, with teammate Maggie Maclachlan playing in attack, slotting 4.3 and being a standout forward for the round and thus our vice-captain. Along with those two, the Lions also had full-back Jamie Rust, winger Helen Taylor, mid-forward Abbey Dowrick and midfielder Jayme Harken make up 25 per cent the 24-player squad.

Swan Districts had a big win over West Perth and were rewarded with five players in the side, starting with Jaime Henry onball who bullocked her way to a big 28-disposal game and slotted next to Golisano in the midfield. Up forward, fellow State Academy representatives Abbygail Bushby and Jorgina Kean also made the side, whilst youngster Tyla Fitzgerald squeezed onto the bench, and the experienced Aimee Ralph held down centre half-back. Swans captain Jessica Cox also played an impressive game on the weekend and was named as an emergency.

East Fremantle’s undefeated streak continued in Round 11 over Claremont, with four representatives in the team. Ruck Laura Catherine earned starting ruck after a strong performance for the Sharks, with Ashlee Atkins in the centre. In defence, Alex Williams was steadfast on the last line again, while Leanne Gubbins provided some important run. Ruck/forward Georgie Cleaver who definitely spent more time in the latter booting two goals, was named as first emergency.

Claremont did push East Fremantle for the most part in the top two clash, and also picked up four players in our Team of the Week. The Tigers had Jasmin Stewart on the wing and Brooke Whyte at centre half-forward, whilst Rachel Ortlepp and Mikayla Western were named among a six-player bench. Winger Kate Orme also came close to squeezing in, named as one of the three emergencies.

South Fremantle had some eye-catching players despite the loss to Subiaco, with young gun Molly O’Hehir outstanding off half-back and rotating onball. She slotted into the side alongside teammates Poppy Stockwell (forward pocket) and ruck Lauren Wakfer (interchange).

Rounding out the side is West Perth duo of Jess Roper and Megan Norbury who have remained in the side for another week after impressing yet again in Round 11.

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL WAFL WOMEN’S TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 11

B: Jess Roper (West Perth) – Jamie Rust (Subiaco) – Alex Williams (East Fremantle)
HB: Leanne Gubbins (East Fremantle) – Aimee Ralph (Swan Districts) – Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle)
C: Jasmine Stewart (Claremont) – Ashlee Atkins (East Fremantle) – Helen Taylor (Subiaco)
HF: Abbygail Bushby (Swan Districts) – Brooke Whyte (Claremont) – Abbey Dowrick (Subiaco)
F: Jorgina Kean (Swan Districts) – Maggie Maclachlan (Subiaco) (vc) – Poppy Stockwell (South Fremantle)
R: Laura Catherine (East Fremantle) – Tarnica Golisano (Subiaco) (c) – Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)
INT: Tyla Fitzgerald (Swan Districts) – Jayme Harken (Subiaco) – Megan Norbury (West Perth) – Rachel Ortlepp (Claremont) – Lauren Wakfer (South Fremantle) – Mikayla Western (Claremont)

EMG: Georgie Cleaver (East Fremantle) – Jess Cox (Swan Districts)  – Kate Orme (Claremont)