CLAREMONT and East Fremantle are back inside the top two on the WAFL Women’s ladder, and both contributed an equal league-high four players in Round 7 of the WAFL Women’s Team of the Week. The reigning grand finalists recorded the most, with fellow winners Subiaco and East Perth not far behind on four and three respectively. All the losing sides had two or less for this round.

It was an easy choice for captain this week with East Fremantle speedster Zippy Fish the standout player across the four rounds. She racked up 39 disposals, five marks, four tackles, seven inside 50s and a kicked a goal for the Sharks as she dominated West Perth on Friday night.

She was far from the only Shark that impressed though, with defender Leanne Gubbins lining up at full-back in this side, Philipa Seth named on the wing, and ruck/forward Laura Catherine kicking two goals and is stationed at full-forward. Midfielder Chloe Wrigley also made it into the team on the bench.

Vice-captain for this week’s hypothetical side is reigning Dhara Kerr Medallist Jayme Harken, who was a standout in Claremont’s win over her former side Subiaco on Saturday. She was named in the centre with fellow midfielder Claudia Wright sliding to half-back. Forward Adele Arnup kicked another three goals to make the side once again, while ruck Jessica Ritchie and the dangerous Jacinta Valentini also earned places in the 24-strong squad.

South Fremantle chalked up its third win of the season off the back of another strong performance from its stars. Top-age talent Molly O’Hehir rolled off half-back and through the middle, while AFLW-listed Tahleah Mulder was sensational. Wing Alyssa Smogavec made her first Team of the Week after an impressive outing, while forward Poppy Stockwell slotted into centre half-forward.

East Perth made history by winning its first ever WAFL Women’s match in Round 7, defeating fellow previously winless side Peel Thunder. The Royals also achieved three players in the Team of the Week, the most ever by the club. They were dangerous forward Lucy Greenwood, ball-winning back Sabella Banks and talented midfielder Jess Verbrugge.

The remaining sides had two or less representatives with defender Dahna Lee and ruck/forward Olivia Wolmarans the Subiaco players, while Ebony Bilcich kicked two goals for Peel Thunder to make the side in defeat. Swan Districts’ centre half-back Isabella Edgley worked hard against South Fremantle, while midfielder/forward Carys D’Addario also made it into the side. West Perth duo Emily Bennett and Brooke Hongell rounded out the 24-player squad.

For Round 7, the three emergencies were wingers, West Perth’s Taylor Ferguson and East Perth’s Alessia Schmiedgen, as well as Subiaco midfielder Eva Popovsky.

2024 WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 7

B: Dahna Lee (Subiaco) – Leanne Gubbins (East Fremantle) – Sabella Banks (East Perth)
HB: Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle) – Isabella Edgley (Swan Districts) – Claudia Wright (Claremont)
C: Philipa Seth (East Fremantle) – Jayme Harken (Claremont) (vc) – Alyssa Smogavec (South Fremantle)
HF: Brooke Hongell (West Perth) – Poppy Stockwell (South Fremantle) – Ebony Bilcich (Peel Thunder)
F: Lucy Greenwood (East Perth) – Laura Catherine (East Fremantle) – Adele Arnup (Claremont)
R: Jess Ritchie (Claremont) – Tahleah Muller (South Fremantle) – Zippy Fish (East Fremantle) (c)
INT: Emily Bennett (West Perth) – Carys D’Addario (Swan Districts) – Jacinta Valentini (Claremont) – Jess Verbrugge (East Perth) – Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco) – Chloe Wrigley (East Fremantle)

EMG: Taylor Ferguson (West Perth) – Eva Popovsky (Subiaco) – Alessia Schmiedgen (East Perth)