RETURNING from a knee injury that delayed her start to the 2025 WAFL Women’s season, South Fremantle tall forward Alira Fotu finally got out on the park. It was an effective Round 12 performance from the National Academy member, who booted two goals and could have had a third in the Bulldogs’ upset victory over the previously undefeated Subiaco.

Fotu’s first game back saw the talented top-ager play predominantly deep in the goalsquare, though she rotated to centre half-forward at times, and was the subject of our WAFL Women’s Player Focus.

PLAYER FOCUS:

2025 WAFL Women’s – Round 12:
South Fremantle 7.6 (48) def. Subiaco 0.5 (5)

#42 Alira Fotu (South Fremantle)
Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 goals, 1 behind

FIRST HALF

Alira Fotu started deep forward and won her first disposal two minutes into the match when roaming to 45m out and handballing off to Ella Matthews. Just a minute later after the Dogs locked the ball inside 50, Fotu soccered home her first goal from the top of the goalsquare, recovering from a slight fumble seconds earlier in the wet conditions.

Still adapting to the speed of the game after so much time out, Fotu got caught behind her defender, but funnily enough it worked for her the way the ball landed, allowing her access to the goals unimpeded. She dished off at half-forward in the 11th minute which lead to a goal then laid a strong tackle inside 50 to lock the ball up later in the term.

Fotu continued to work up the ground playing a little higher but still remaining inside 50 for the remainder of the quarter. A nice handball set up another shot on goal – to Lauren Vecchio – that unfortunately was touched on the goalline, but Fotu was getting involved each time the ball went forward.

The second term was her quietest as the top-ager was starved for opportunities. Subiaco’s one behind was the sole score for the term, and while a nice spoil and slick handball were Fotu’s two acts within the term, she did get caught either too far in front or behind with the unpredictable ball drop coming into the forward 50.

SECOND HALF

As the game went on, Fotu began to get more involved and comfortable at the level, leaping high in the third minute of the game to crash into an opponent and bring the ball to ground. She started getting into more effective positions and had a dribble attempt on goal though that proved futile as it smacked into the post for a behind.

Fotu continued to push up the ground adding an extra number to the contest even on a wing, then darted back to find space inside 50 to mark in space while others engaged in a melee. Her set shot was one she would like to have back, spraying it out on the full without a clean connection. When she worked up to the wing to win it in the final two minutes, she was dragged down and pinged for holding the ball.

The fourth quarter was her most lively, picking up quite a few touches in attack, including a clean take off the bounce and quick hands off to Annalie Polimeno. She made up for her set shot miss the previous quarter in the fourth minute with a strong mark on the lead 35m out and never looking like missing with her set shot, going straight over the goal umpire’s hat.

Her next two kicks went deeper inside 50 which came from a couple more marks with Fotu seemingly built her confidence in the air. Both lead to scores, albeit behinds, and the top-ager was finding her feet well.

The game was done and dusted by the last few minutes of the final term, though she did have a final snap on goal off the bounce though under pressure it went wide and bounced out of bounds. Still, it completed a really solid first-up performance in the WAFLW.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Alira Fotu is a long-term talent who has outstanding athleticism and can be a real threat in the air. She is still learning the craft of the game, which showed when getting caught on the wrong side of the contest for the ball drop. Though when able to lead out into space, Fotu is a danger to any opposition given the separation she can create on the lead.

The conditions did not suit a player of her style, though Fotu made the best of it and booted a couple of goals from 15 touches and five marks in a performance that would have pleased both Bulldogs and Sandgropers coaching staff. Her bottom-age carnival was interrupted by an early concussion in game one 12 months ago, but she will look to make an impact over the final three games for Western Australia.