MINOR premiers Claremont produced a brilliant win in the wet over Subiaco and shared the league-high five representatives in our WAFL Women’s Team of the Week for Round 18. The Tigers were joined by Friday night winners West Perth with five, while Perth’s last round victory earned the Demons four players in the side. The other winner Swan Districts had three, with the four losing teams combining for seven players.

Our final Team of the Week captain goes to Claremont’s Sarah Viney who thrived in the wet laying 17 tackles from 25 disposals, and also took two marks with four inside 50s. Her fellow midfielder Matilda Sergeant joined her on-ball after a similarly impressive defensive display through the middle, while West Perth top-ager Mia Russo finished with a bang for the Falcons.

Russo’s teammate and State Academy member Lexi Strachan earned our vice-captaincy for Round 18 following her 24-disposal, three-mark, three-tackle and two inside 50 performance. She was squeezed to half-forward where the bottom-ager often spends time outside her midfield role, similar to other Sandgropers, Layla Quinn-Schofield (Subiaco) and Lucy Greenwood (East Perth). The pair found themselves in the forwardline having also spent the bulk of their minutes through the midfield.

There were not many major goalkickers over the weekend due to the conditions, with South Fremantle’s Shannyn Pomersbach (two majors) one who did manage to find the big sticks multiple times, while Perth’s Fina Dethlefsen and Swan Districts’ Kayley King complete the front six.

In defence, East Fremantle pair Torrens Revell and Leanne Gubbins were both strong, while midfielder Jaime Henry slotted into her secondary position once again due to the strength of the on-ball group. It was a similar story for top-age Tiger Juliet Kelly, who was also named at half-back.

The two other defenders were West Perth full-back Liliana Grassenis – who has been in great form of late – and Subiaco’s Dahna Lee who stood out in their roles, while another Falcon – Megan Norbury – was sensational off a wing kicking two classy goals from long-range. The other wing was Jasmine Single, with the smooth-moving Perth star in the starting side with ruck Molly Warne which rounded out the 18.

Looking to the bench and it features six players from six different clubs, including natural ball-winner and two-time Dhara Kerr Medallist Jayme Harken. She is joined by fellow former AFLW talents in Bailey Hunt (South Fremantle), Isabella Shannon (Perth) and Paige Sheppard (Subiaco). In-form Swans talent Summer Ajduk and dynamic forward Kayla Van Den Heever (West Perth) complete the last 24-strong squad.

While a tough round to pick just three emergencies, those chosen were South Fremantle’s Hannah Burt, Claremont’s Ella Gilbey and Perth’s Jorja Haines.

2025 WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 18

B: Torrens Revell (East Fremantle) – Liliana Grassenis (West Perth) – Dahna Lee (Subiaco)
HB: Juliet Kelly (Claremont) – Leanne Gubbins (East Fremantle) – Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)
C: Megan Norbury (West Perth) – Mia Russo (West Perth) – Jasmine Single (Perth)
HF: Lexi Strachan (West Perth) (vc) – Fina Dethlefsen (Perth) – Layla Quinn-Schofield (Subiaco)
F: Lucy Greenwood (East Perth) – Shannyn Pomersbach (South Fremantle) – Kayley King (Swan Districts)
R: Molly Warne (Perth) – Sarah Viney (Claremont) (c) – Matilda Sergeant (Claremont)
INT: Summer Ajduk (Swan Districts) – Jayme Harken (Claremont) – Bailey Hunt (South Fremantle) – Isabella Shannon (Perth) – Paige Sheppard (Subiaco) – Kayla Van Den Heever (West Perth)

EMG: Hannah Burt (South Fremantle) – Ella Gilbey (Claremont) – Jorja Haines (Perth)