EAST Fremantle took out the 2026 WAFL Women’s premiership in incredible style, upsetting minor premiers Swan Districts to complete a fairytale finish to the season. The Sharks and Swans both had State Academy members in the game, all of whom picked up double-digit disposals and stepped up on the big stage in the Sharks’ 3.5 (23) to 2.7 (19) victory.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

SWAN DISTRICTS:

#3 Grace Hirst (Forward)

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s

The versatile top-ager was able to make an impact up both ends of the ground, providing important run out of the back half and then looking dangerous in the front half. Five of her 12 disposals came in the opening quarter as she got busy working up the ground and looking lively. She set up a goal with a nice handball in the opening term and did exceptionally well to break through a tackle from the much stronger Anjelique Raison in the middle of the ground.

#13 Shaya Yarran (Forward)

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Ever lively alongside her sister Summer, Yarran had a few chances close to the big sticks including one early that got a cruel bounce, but she got her goal during the third term with a clever play against Leslie to gather the ball in the goalsquare and quickly get it to her boot to finish with a major. Continued to put the ball into dangerous spots which enabled shots on goal, albeit missed opportunities from her teammates.

#14 Makaela Grau (Defender)

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles

The tough defender applied stacks of pressure both in the air and at ground level, charging hard out of the back 50. Her huge front-on tackle in the middle of the ground during the first term to win a holding the ball free kick was crucial, and she played a proactive gamestyle that enabled the Swans Districts top-ager to intercept in between the arcs and get the ball moving forward. Grau’s defensive pressure was the highlight.

#24 Summer Ajduk (Wing/Forward)

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 10 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Rotating between wing and attack, Ajduk gets into ball-winning positions consistently and has the versatility to be able to find her own ball, as well as being the outlet for teammates in more contested situations. She had a couple of ‘almost’ moments in the air, and has some fundamentals to work on, but the hard-running top-ager was able to set up the Yarran goal with a well placed kick deep. Laying double-digit tackles, Ajduk was phenomenal defensively.

EAST FREMANTLE:

#18 Cienna Leslie (Defender)

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s

One of the better Sharks in the premiership win, Leslie just competes and does her job wherever she is stationed. In the grand final, that came in defence, rotating between Yarran and former Shark Chloe Reilly at different points, holding her own from a one-on-one aspect. Her kicking has some penetration on it, and if she can tidy up the technique which will aide in greater efficiency, she will go to another level again. Really big finish to a solid top-age season in a huge game.

#37 Olivia McCay (Wing)

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s

The bottom-ager became a premiership player at 17 years of age, holding down the wing role she has all season. Starting on Ajduk and spending plenty of time alongside her West Australian State Academy teammate, McCay ran all day and competed hard. One error – where a turnover into the middle ended up coming back and costing a goal to Yarran – was the only real negative, and even then, McCay charged 50 metres at full speed to try and smother the ball on the goalline. Worked hard defensively and was able to clear the ball from danger on a number of occasions.