CLAREMONT has dominated the Rookie Me Central WAFL Women’s Round 8 Team of the Week, racking up half a dozen players to cover 25 per cent of the squad. The Tigers had standouts in each third of the ground during their big win over East Perth, while South Fremantle (four players) was next best ahead of fellow winners East Fremantle and West Perth, and losing side Subiaco (three).

Though Claremont had the most representation, it was star top-ager Molly O’Hehir who took the reins as captain this week after a 30-plus disposal performance against Subiaco. The talented tall midfielder was outstanding across the field and named on-ball alongside Swan Districts’ Lily Paterson who had 37 touches in her side’s loss to West Perth, and was the only representative for her side.

Claremont also had some classy outside players in Juliet Kelly, Kate Orme, Eva O’Donnell and Ella Gilbey, all of whom filled the left side of the field, while talented utility Claudia Wright was a standout in midfield. Due to the strength of the squad, the vice-captain for this side was pushed to half-back. They along with reigning Dhara Kerr Medallist Jayme Harken made it six players all up for Tigers in an impressive week for the ladder leaders.

South Fremantle had a quartet of players as well, with fellow top-ager Noa McNaughton joining O’Hehir in the side. Up either end, defender Caitlin Pears and forward Zoe Huggett both slotted into main roles, while East Perth had a defender and midfielder make the squad, in Sabella Banks and Jess Verbrugge respectively.

Peel Thunder also had the two representatives, with regular Team of the Week defender Evie Cowcher at full-back, and midfielder Ebony Bilcich on the bench after her fighting effort against the Tigers. The other losing side to have multiple representatives was Subiaco, with defender Clare McCarthy in the back pocket, winger Hayley Corlett kicking three goals and pushed to half-forward, and midfielder Krstel Petrevski also standing out in defeat.

West Perth got back on the winners list but had such an even team performance it was hard to pick the standouts from an emphatic win. Winger Megan Norbury and forward Imahra Cameron (four goals) were strong choices, while Emily Bennett was again busy through midfield and made it onto the bench.

Similar to West Perth, East Fremantle also had an even team performance in a big win, with captain Ashleigh Gomes named in the centre. Ruck Emmelie Fiedler and winger Philipa Seth filled out the 24-player team.

Another Falcon – Taylor Ferguson – and Shark – Amber Kinnane – made up two thirds of the emergencies with South Fremantle skipper Lauren Vecchio the other one.

2024 WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 8

B: Clare McCarthy (Subiaco) – Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder) – Sabella Banks (East Perth)
HB: Juliet Kelly (Claremont) – Caitlin Pears (South Fremantle) – Claudia Wright (Claremont) (vc)
C: Kate Orme (Claremont) – Ash Gomes (East Fremantle) – Megan Norbury (West Perth)
HF: Eva O’Donnell (Claremont) – Zoe Huggett (South Fremantle) – Hayley Corlett (Subiaco)
F: Ella Gilbey (Claremont) – Imahra Cameron (West Perth) – Noa McNaughton (South Fremantle)
R: Emmelie Fiedler (East Fremantle) – Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle) (c) – Lily Paterson (Swan Districts)
INT: Emily Bennett (West Perth) – Ebony Bilcich (Peel Thunder) – Jayme Harken (Claremont) – Krystel Petrevski (Subiaco) – Phillipa Seth (East Fremantle) – Jess Verbrugge (East Perth)

EMG: Taylor Ferguson (West Perth) – Amber Kinnane (East Fremantle) – Lauren Vecchio (South Fremantle)