IMPRESSIVE wins to Swan Districts and Subiaco to open their West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s accounts for the 2022 season earned either side six players in our Team of the Week for Round 3. The other winner – East Fremantle – recorded four players, whilst South Fremantle also contributed up four following a spirited effort against the Lions. Claremont (three) came next, with West Perth registering its first Team of the Week nominee.
A couple of actual captains lead out the WAFL Women’s Team of the Week for Round 3, with Subiaco skipper Tarnica Golisano earning the gong as captain following her 23 disposals, four marks, six tackles and eight inside 50s in the win over South Fremantle. Meanwhile Swan Districts captain Jessica Cox has been named in the centre next to Golisano, and is her deputy for this hypothetical team after a round-high 27 disposals, six marks, two tackle and four inside 50s.
Alongside Cox is her Swan Districts teammate and top-age talent Tara Stribley who got forward to kick two goals playing from a wing, whilst three black and whites are inside 50. The milestone 100-gamer Ashley Sharp, Bethany Bond and Taylah Edwards all earned spots in the Team of the Week, whilst Ruby Mahony made it onto the bench.
For Subiaco, the Lions control the opposite end of the field with three players named in defence. Madison Dodd stood out deep, with Jayme Harken and Liana Burchell finding plenty of the ball in the defensive half and driving it forward. Hanna Dethlefsen provided a target inside 50 for Subiaco, whilst Ellie Blackmore also made the side, being named on the interchange bench.
East Fremantle rounds out the inside midfielders with consistent duo Ashleigh Gomes and Sharon Wong earning spots there, whilst youngster Mylee Leitch earned a place in the forward line after two goals in the win over Claremont. Also kicking two goals in the win was Kellie Gibson who slotted in on the bench.
South Fremantle’s were spread across different spots, with two on the field and two on the bench. Lauren Gauci returned to the side for Round 3 and stepped straight into the back pocket in our Team of the Week, whilst Lauren Wakfer made it three from three this season, but this time earned her starting ruck spot. On the bench, Bulldogs duo Jess Verbrugge and Tahlia Holtze secured their spots in the 24.
Claremont’s trio of players are from three different positions on the ground, starting with full-back Claire Ortlepp who made the team once again, as did reigning Dhara Kerr Medallist Ella Smith. This time though, the captain made the half-forward flank her own due to kicking two crucial goals in the narrow loss. Supporting Wakfer in the ruck is Adele Arnup who was superb throughout the game in the role for the Tigers.
Rounding out the squad of 24 is West Perth’s first ever representative in young gun Kayla Van Den Heever. Finding plenty of the ball, Van Den Heever worked hard to turn defence into offence and earned her spot. Her Falcons teammate and fellow State Academy member Liliana Grassenis made it into the emergencies, alongside South Fremantle defender Casey Byrne and Claremont ball-winner Madeleine Scanlon.
2022 WAFL WOMEN’S TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 3
B: Lauren Gauci (South Fremantle) – Claire Ortlepp (Claremont) – Madison Dodd (Subiaco)
HB: Jayme Harken (Subiaco) – Kayla Van Den Heever (West Perth) – Liana Burchell (Subiaco)
C: Tara Stribley (Swan Districts) – Jess Cox (Swan Districts) (vc) – Tarnica Golisano (Subiaco) (c)
HF: Taylah Edwards (Swan Districts) – Ash Sharp (Swan Districts) – Ella Smith (Claremont)
F: Hanna Dethlefsen (Subiaco) – Bethany Bond (Swan Districts) – Mylee Leitch (East Fremantle)
R: Lauren Wakfer (South Fremantle) – Ashleigh Gomes (East Fremantle) – Sharon Wong (East Fremantle)
INT: Adele Arnup (Claremont) – Ellie Blackmore (Subiaco) – Kellie Gibson (East Fremantle) – Tahlia Holtze (South Fremantle) – Ruby Mahony (Swan Districts) – Jess Verbrugge (South Fremantle)
EMG: Casey Byrne (South Fremantle) – Madeleine Scanlon (Claremont) – Liliana Grassenis (West Perth)
