ROUND 16 saw the return of a number of top-end talents in the WAFL Women’s competition, but there was still plenty of future stars on offer for their respective sides. We took a look across the four games and noted down some of the standouts across the four matches.

STANDOUTS:

#2 Eva Popovsky (Subiaco)

Popovsky continued her strong recent form to have an impact up forward in trying conditions. She kicked a good goal in the second term after shrugging off a would-be tackler, winning a free kick, taking advantage and slotting it on the run from 20m. She continued to present well and rotted into the midfield, having a couple of chances on goal that just fell short as well.

#15 Olivia Crane (Subiaco)

Starting on-ball, Crane had a huge impact early and was consistent across the four quarters, finding space to be an option, and also winning it at the coalface. She had a quick shot on goal in the second term which missed to the left, but also got back into defence to intercept on a few occasions as well. Her clearance work in the second half was particularly notable from the double bottom-ager.

#32 Liliana Grassenis (West Perth)

The Falcons top-ager played an aggressive brand as usual coming out of the defensive 50, being proactive with her attack on the ball. She occasionally can give away free kicks for her fierce tackling, but also saves goals with a great tackle in the goalsquare in the first term doing just that. She provides a four-quarter defensive effort.

OTHERS:

Top-ager Madison Dodd covered the ground well for the Lions and was fierce at both ends when required, while defender Charlotte Newland played her role as usual in the back 50.

STANDOUT:

#36 Mackenzie Webb (Claremont)

The only State Academy member in the match, Webb was busier than perhaps she thought she would be against the league’s bottom size, but applied the same defensive techniques as she would against a top opponent. Strong one-on-one, she was able to bring the ball to ground on a number of occasions, and when Claremont did get on top, she held a high line and even set up a goal in the third term.

STANDOUTS:

#7 Georgie Cleaver (East Fremantle)

Returning from AFLW Academy duties, Cleaver started in the ruck and then went forward, with the athletic talent having a really strong game across the board. Against a taller opponent in Newson quite often, Cleaver was able to do her best work at ground level and lay some big tackles, while happy to clear the ball with a quick kick. She was rewarded for her work rate wit ha goal late in the match, taking a great contested mark 20m out and slotting it well.

#27 Mylee Leitch (East Fremantle)

Leitch was our WAFLW Player Focus for the week, and kicked two goals from 16 disposals, while also clunking eight marks. Check out that Player Focus for a full rundown of her performance against the Thunder.

>> MYLEE LEITCH WAFLW PLAYER FOCUS

#38 Zippy Fish (East Fremantle)

Like Cleaver, Fish was another inclusion to the team and picked up where she left off with a sensational performance. She showed off her slick sidestep and burst, and was able to move between inside and outside, behind or forward of the ball and rack up no shortage of critical touches. A player who is a delight to watch for her highlights and consistency across the board, Fish’s disposal by hand or foot was outstanding.

#2 Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder)

The pick of the Thunder players, Cowcher was a rock in defence, before being moved into the middle for the first time to start the second half. She made a difference in there as Peel started to get more inside 50s from clearances, and after playing that familiar intercept role, became that inside midfielder. Though out of games for the WAFLW season, it is a potential role earmarked for next season.

OTHERS:

From a winning perspective, key forward Anjelique Raison was solid across the board, working hard in her variety of forward/ruck roles. She kicked an early major and set up others for scoring chances, covering the ground well. Fellow forward Tiani Teakle played one of her best games for the Sharks, booting two goals and looking lively, while Natasha Entwistle, Taya Chambers and Caylen Crook all had their moments.

For Peel Thunder, inclusion Kaitlyn Srhoj provided run and carry by hand and played both outside and inside. Dakota Sexton also spent time between midfield and defence, fellow bottom-ager Holly Britton found her fair share of the ball, and ruck Kate Newson competed hard.

STANDOUTS:

#15 Renee Morgan (South Fremantle)

The double bottom-ager has been a star since coming into the South Fremantle lineup, and produced another best on ground performance for the Bulldogs. Morgan was strong through the contest, breaking a number of tackles and handballing clean out of congestion. When pushing forward she maintained the pressure and was able to pump the ball inside 50, but provided an intercept option a kick behind play as well at times.

#33 Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle)

Playing off half-back for the majority of the game before being thrown forward late, O’Hehir provided that touch of class as well as her explosive speed coming off the defensive line. Having proven herself as an all-round utility, O’Hehir was one of the best Bulldogs with 17 disposals and six tackles, attacking it hard. When forward, she had a couple of opportunities but just missed out on converting.

#11 Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)

After her AFLW Academy duties, Henry returned and was strong throughout the match, doing her best in a tight loss. She worked hard when at the coalface and spread to win a fair chunk of ball in transition along the wing. Competing well in the air, she was fierce and able to lock the ball up with seven tackles, but used it well by hand or foot when given the opportunity.

OTHERS:

The other State Academy member in Noa McNaughton was still very lively, and though she narrowly missed her chance on goal in the final few seconds of the first half, buzzed around the forward 50 and created some worries for the Swan Districts defence.