IT WAS high-fives all round for East Fremantle as the Sharks recorded a league-high representation in our WAFL Women’s Round 6 Team of the Week. The Sharks had the five players in the lineup, with fellow winners Claremont and Subiaco recording four apiece. Swan Districts, South Fremantle and West Perth all had three representatives, while East Perth and Peel Thunder had the sole nominee each.

The Sharks have an even spread across the ground with skipper Ashleigh Gomes named on-ball as vice-captain of the Round 5 Team of the Week. Also in the side are a couple of forwards who booted two goals apiece in Anjelique Raison and Ashlee Atkins at half-forward. Defender Zippy Fish was sublime at half-back and was an easy choice for the team, while reigning Dhara Kerr Medallist Sharon Wong slotted onto the bench.

Reigning premiers Claremont continued its winning streak to start the WAFLW season, and had the four representatives, starting in defence with Fremantle-listed Madeleine Scanlon. In attack, Rachel Ortlepp lead by example and Ella Slocombe was also damaging with a couple of majors. Ruck Matilda Dyke rounded out the Tigers’ representation on the bench.

Subiaco also had the four representatives following a huge win over East Perth, making up a portion of the spine. In her 150th game, Lions captain Tarnica Golisano dominated with 29 disposals and was named captain in our hypothetical side, while Beth Schilling‘s more from defence to attack paid dividends with two goals and a spot at full-forward in the team. Double bottom-ager Olivia Crane and experienced Tiah Toth also made the team.

Swan Districts enjoyed an impressive win over West Perth, but had a few standouts in the victory. Ruck Sarah Wielstra controlled proceedings and even hit the scoreboard, while young midfielder Jaime Henry cracked in across four quarters and was clean and tough. Forward Taylah Edwards was best-on though with three goals in the win.

Though they lost, the Falcons still managed the three representatives, albeit two of which were on the bench. Winger Jeevna Heer showed plenty of class at times, while inside midfielders, Emily Bennett and Kayla Van Den Heever were strong at the stoppages.

South Fremantle also had three players in the side despite a defeat to Claremont, with small defender Kloe Bassett named at half-back and midfielder Tahleah Mulder at the rover position. Ruck Ariana Hetherington was also eye-catching across four quarters and was unlucky to miss out on the starting spot which was only due to Wielstra’s dominance.

Rounding out the remaining two players were East Perth’s Sarah Madden and Peel Thunder’s Ebony Dowson in what were tough days for their respective defences, but they kept battling on across four quarters. The three emergencies for Round 5 were Subiaco’s Madison Dodd, Swan Districts’ Isabella Edgley and East Perth’s Lillian Ninyett.

2023 WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 6

B: Ebony Dowson (Peel Thunder) – Sarah Madden (East Perth) – Madeleine Scanlon (Claremont)
HB: Zippy Fish (East Fremantle) – Olivia Crane (Subiaco) – Kloe Bassett (South Fremantle)
C: Jeevna Heer (West Perth) – Tarnica Golisano (Subiaco) (c) – Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)
HF: Ashlee Atkins (East Fremantle) – Anjelique Raison (East Fremantle) – Rachel Ortlepp (Claremont)
F: Taylah Edwards (Swan Districts) – Beth Schilling (Subiaco) – Ella Slocombe (Claremont)
R: Sarah Wielstra (Swan Districts) – Ashleigh Gomes (East Fremantle) (vc) – Tahleah Mulder (South Fremantle)

INT: Emily Bennett (West Perth) – Matilda Dyke (Claremont) – Ariana Hetherington (South Fremantle) – Tiah Toth (Subiaco) – Kayla Van Den Heever (West Perth) – Sharon Wong (East Fremantle)

EMG: Madison Dodd (Subiaco) – Isabella Edgley (Swan Districts) – Lillian Ninyett (East Perth)