SOUTH Fremantle had a league-high five players in the WAFL Women’s Team of the Week following the Bulldogs’ victory over West Perth. Getting up by 20 points over West Perth, South Fremantle had one more representatives than Subiaco and Claremont, while Swan Districts and the Falcons finished with three representatives each. East Fremantle and Peel Thunder recorded two players in the team, while East Perth had the one representative.

Subiaco provided the captain of this week’s team, with Tiah Toth earning the honour following her 24-disposal, three-mark, five-tackle, eight-inside 50 game over East Perth. She was joined in the team by fellow midfielder/forward Eva Popovsky who played a starring role through the middle. Fellow State Academy members Madison Dodd and Olivia Wolmarans also made the side.

South Fremantle young gun Molly O’Hehir was named vice-captain after a best on ground performance for the Bulldogs against the Falcons, having 18 disposals, six marks and 10 inside 50s in the victory. She was named alongside ruck Ariana Hetherington and a trio of versatile midfielders, Kloe Bassett, Lauren Vecchio and Charli Wicksteed.

Claremont split the points with East Fremantle but still managed the four players in the Team of the Week with State Academy members Ella Slocombe and Mackenzie Webb in the side. Fellow defender Claire Ortlepp also made the side, while midfielder Matilda Sergeant was impressive in midfield and kicked a long-range goal.

Swan Districts picked up the full four points and had three representatives and an emergency in the side. Forwards Abbygail Bushby and Courtney Zappara both booted three goals in the win over Peel Thunder, while midfielder Ruby Mahony made it onto the bench. Forward Cassie McWilliam made it into the emergencies.

West Perth also had the three representatives for Round 9 with wingers Taylor Ferguson and Jeevna Heer providing some run on the outside, and Emily Bennett was influential on the inside. Defender Jessica Roper was named as an emergency.

East Fremantle midfielder Beth Beckett made the starting team, as did top-age ruck/forward Georgie Cleaver, while reigning Dhara Kerr Medallist Sharon Wong was the third and final emergency in this week’s team. Rounding out the squad are Peel Thunder defenders Evie Cowcher and Ebony Dowson, and East Perth midfielder Madeleine Goodman.

2023 WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 9

B: Claire Ortlepp (Claremont) – Mackenzie Webb (Claremont) – Madison Dodd (Subiaco)
HB: Ebony Dowson (Peel Thunder) – Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder) – Kloe Bassett (South Fremantle)
C: Taylor Ferguson (West Perth) – Beth Beckett (East Fremantle) – Ella Slocombe (Claremont)
HF: Eva Popovsky (Subiaco) – Georgie Cleaver (East Fremantle) – Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle) (vc)
F: Abbygail Bushby (Swan Districts) – Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco) – Courtney Zappara (Swan Districts)
R: Ariana Hetherington (South Fremantle) – Emily Bennett (West Perth) – Tiah Toth (Subiaco) (c)
INT: Madeleine Goodman (East Perth) – Jeevna Heer (West Perth) – Ruby Mahony (Swan Districts) – Matilda Sergeant (Claremont) – Lauren Vecchio (South Fremantle) – Charli Wicksteed (South Fremantle)

EMG: Cassie McWilliam (Swan Districts) – Jess Roper (West Perth) – Sharon Wong (East Fremantle)