CLAREMONT recorded a league-high five players in the Rookie Me Central WAFL Women’s Team of the Week for Round 2 following an impressive win over South Fremantle.

The Tigers finished one ahead of their opponents (four) in a high quality game, while fellow winners East Fremantle, Swan Districts and West Perth all had three. Subiaco also recorded three players, while Peel Thunder (two) and East Perth (one) rounded out the 24-player squad.

Though the Tigers topped the charts, it was Fremantle-listed talent Megan Kauffman who earned the captaincy this week, racking up a remarkable 15 inside 50s to go with 25 touches and six tackles playing through the West Perth midfield.

Kauffman was joined in the side by Brooke Hongell who made it two from two after a productive performance in the forward half, and first-time Team of the Week entrant, Kenleigh Duve who slotted three goals in the Falcons’ win over the Royals.

Vice-captain for the week is five-goal hero Courtney Zappara who left a couple out there for Swan Districts, and had she converted ones she normally would, could have easily finished with seven. Still, she had a magnificent performance, and was named in the side with teenage talents, Lily Paterson and Carys D’Addario.

Heading to the top of the representative ladder is the reigning grand finalists and 2022 WAFLW premiers, Claremont. The Tigers two Eva’s in Eva O’Donnell and Eva Campo really impressed, while AFLW Academy member Claudia Wright played her first game and earned a spot in the side. Full-back Mackenzie Webb and star midfielder Jayme Harken were the others to make the Team of the Week.

The match between the Tigers and Bulldogs was so fierce that even the losing South Fremantle side had its fair share of representatives with four. Playing in a new role, defender Hunter Cronin landed in a back pocket to join State Academy talents Renee Morgan (pushed out to a wing in this team due to the midfield strength) and Molly O’Hehir. High upside forward Poppy Stockwell made it again at half-forward.

East Fremantle won its second consecutive game to open the season against Subiaco, with both sides picking up three players in the Round 2 Team of the Week. The Sharks had top-ager Zippy Fish and fellow midfielder Amber Kinnane, as well as lockdown defender Maddy Obal who was crucial in shutting down Olivia Wolmarans early.

The Lions representatives included three-goal forward Claudia Langley, ruck Tess Lyons and smooth-moving utility Maggie MacLachlan this week. Completing the squad is Peel Thunder duo Ebony Bilcich and Jorja Haines, as well as AFLW-listed Eagle and East Perth talent Jess Rentsch.

This week’s emergencies are Peel Thunder midfielder Holly Britton, West Perth forward Imahra Cameron and Swan Districts talent Kayley King.

2024 WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 2

B: Maddy Obal (East Fremantle) – Mackenzie Webb (Claremont) – Hunter Cronin (South Fremantle)
HB: Claudia Wright (Claremont) – Maggie MacLachlan (Subiaco) – Lily Paterson (Swan Districts)
C: Eva O’Donnell (Claremont) – Megan Kauffman (West Perth) (c) – Renee Morgan (South Fremantle)
HF: Poppy Stockwell (South Fremantle) – Eva Campo (Claremont) – Brooke Hongell (West Perth)
F: Claudia Langley (Subiaco) – Courtney Zappara (Swan Districts) (vc) – Kenleigh Duve (West Perth)
R: Tess Lyons (Subiaco) – Carys D’Addario (Swan Districts) – Amber Kinnane (East Fremantle)
INT: Ebony Bilcich (Peel Thunder) – Zippy Fish (East Fremantle) – Jorja Haines (Peel Thunder) – Jayme Harken (Claremont) – Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle) – Jess Rentsch (East Perth)

EMG: Holly Britton (Peel Thunder) – Imahra Cameron (West Perth) – Kayley King (Swan Districts)