LAST year’s WAFL Women’s grand finalists in Claremont and East Fremantle along with a gallant Subiaco all recorded a league-high four players in the Rookie Me Central Round 3 WAFL Womens’ Team of the Week. In an even spread for the round, six of the eight sides had three or more players, with Peel Thunder, South Fremantle and West Perth all having three, as Swan Districts (two) and East Perth (one) rounded out the 24-player squad.

Claremont is no stranger to having Team of the Week representatives, with Claire Ortlepp named in the back pocket as vice-captain of the hypothetical team after a prominent performance out of defence. She was joined in the starting team by prolific midfielder Jayme Harken, while fellow midfielders – who can rotate forward – in Jacinta Valentini and Hayley Bullas made the interchange bench.

East Fremantle had a few youngsters made it into the team, with bottom-age talent Taya Chambers off half-back, and dangerous forward Mylee Leitch named at half-forward. Natasha Entwistle was named on the interchange bench, while Sharks’ skipper Ashleigh Gomes slotted on-ball. League best and fairest winner Sharon Wong was named as one of three emergencies.

Though tasting defeat to the Sharks, Subiaco still impressed across the board with four representatives, starting with defender Beth Schilling at full-back. Up the other end of the field, Tiah Toth and Amy Mulholland showed their potency inside 50, while captain Tarnica Golisano made the team yet again, named on the bench. Tough utility Madison Dodd was named as an emergency.

Peel Thunder was another winner on the weekend, with three players booking their place across each third of the ground. Double bottom-ager Evie Cowcher slotted into centre half-back, while winger Jaide Britton showed class on the weekend, and Tanisha Anderson booted an equal league-high three goals. Ball-winning midfielder Chloe Wrigley was a fierce tackler and made the final emergency spot.

The other player to kick three goals in Round 3 was South Fremantle’s Bethany Bond who made it consecutive Team of the Weeks at centre half-forward. She was joined by fellow tall Zoe Huggett who could have had a massive day out had she kicked straight. Midfielder Tahleah Mulder just gets better and better and earned a centre position from her performance in the win over West Perth.

Speaking of the Falcons, they again had three players in the Team of the Week, with co-captain Brooke Hongell starring out of the back half and making the starting lineup yet again. She was joined by teammate and young defender Jessica Roper in the back 50, while Jeevna Heer was influential, particularly in the first half.

The last three players in the Team of the Week were Swan Districts duo, Carys D’Addario (wing) and Sarah Wielstra (ruck), as well as East Perth’s Chloe Sauzier, who was best-on from the Royals.

2023 WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 3

B: Brooke Hongell (West Perth) (c) – Beth Schilling (Subiaco) – Claire Ortlepp (Claremont) (vc)
HB: Taya Chambers (East Fremantle) – Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder) – Jess Roper (West Perth)
C: Jaide Britton (Peel Thunder) – Tahleah Mulder (South Fremantle) – Carys D’Addario (Swan Districts)
HF: Mylee Leitch (East Fremantle) – Bethany Bond (South Fremantle) – Tiah Toth (Subiaco)
F: Amy Mulholland (Subiaco) – Zoe Huggett (South Fremantle) – Tanisha Anderson (Peel Thunder)
R: Sarah Wielstra (Swan Districts) – Ashleigh Gomes (East Fremantle) – Jayme Harken (Claremont)

INT: Hayley Bullas (Claremont) – Natasha Entwistle (East Fremantle) – Tarnica Golisano (Subiaco) – Jeevna Heer (West Perth) – Chloe Sauzier (East Perth) – Jacinta Valentini (Claremont)

EMG: Madison Dodd (Subiaco) – Sharon Wong (East Fremantle) – Chloe Wrigley (Peel Thunder)