CLAREMONT remained undefeated in the 2024 WAFL Women’s season, but not without a spirited effort from East Perth in a strong defensive performance which saw the Tigers come away with a 29-point win. Forward/midfielder Anjelique Raison was the difference slotting three goals in the match en route to a best on ground performance through the 7.8 (50) to 3.3 (21) victory.

Though heading into the match Claremont was tipped to make light work of East Perth considering the Tigers had won 19 and drawn once from their past 21 matches, while East Perth was yet to score a win from 17 attempts. The week before the Royals had challenged Swan Districts to get as close as they have before and that confidence followed into the game against the Tigers.

Though Claremont always looked the stronger team both on paper and out on the field, East Perth refused to let them get away with a huge victory. The Royals counterpunched Jacinta Valentini‘s opening major with a ripper on the boundary from 45m coming off the boot of Abbey Barber to cut the deficit to one point. It took until Kate Orme and Kobi Nichols slotted back-to-back goals midway through the second term to grab any real breathing space, and the reigning grand finalists went to half-time with a 20-point lead.

As she had in the second term, Raison found the big sticks with a great set shot, ad as the Tigers peppered the goals, the margin blew out to 29 points. Looking likely to storm to an easy win, Claremont would not have expected the one-two punch in the final six minutes from the Royals. Star bottom-ager Lucy Greenwood showed her class inside 50 with a major, before Tristin Ogonoski also kicked truly to trim the deficit to a manageable 17 points at the last change.

The likes of Sabella Banks, Taylah Suda and Jorja Elisseou were doing their all to try and keep their side in the game, and despite Adele Arnup soccering home a settler early in the fourth, the Royals were still up and about. Greenwood got goalside and looked certain to slam home her second. Unfortunately it skewed off the side of the boot and registered the one behind.

That would prove to be East Perth’s only score of the quarter, as Claremont regained ascendancy and Raison slotted her third goal with five minutes to go, making it an equal game-high margin of 29 points. The tall would finish with 17 disposals, five marks, four tackles, three inside 50s and 3.1 for the game, with Claremont have four other individual goalkickers.

Taylah Orzel and Jayme Harken were important through midfield putting their body on the line and providing pressure. Ruck Jessica Ritchie laid a game-high nine tackles to help her side towards 80, also having 13 disposals and 24 hitouts in the win. Claudia Wright was industrious off half-back with 20 disposals and four marks, while Arnup came into the side and provided a spark.

For East Perth, Banks was a standout with 15 touches, six marks and five tackles, while in defence Suda stood tall recording 16 disposals, two marks and four tackles. Elisseou tried her best against her former side, while Greenwood was lively and Jessica Rentsch had her moments.

EAST PERTH 1.0 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 3.3 (21)
CLAREMONT 1.2 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 7.8 (50)

GOALS:
East Perth: A. Barber, L. Greenwood, T. Ogonoski
Claremont: A. Raison 3, A. Arnup, K. Nichols, K. Orme, J. Valentini

RMC BEST:
East Perth: S. Banks, J, Elisseou, T. Suda, L. Greenwood, J. Rentsch
Claremont: A. Raison, T. Orzel, C. Wright J. Harken, J. Ritchie

ACROSS THE GROUNDS

East Fremantle only just survived a scare from Swan Districts to move to 3-1 for the 2024 WAFLW season, coming away with a 5.2 (32) to 4.7 (31) victory. The Sharks trailed at every break, but kicked two last quarter goals to run over the top of the Swans in a sensational last 20 minutes. Despite Swan Districts hitting the front once again early in the term, a Chloe Reilly major midway through the quarter proved to be the difference in the end.

Reilly slotted two majors from 12 touches, working alongside experienced Serena Gibbs who also nailed the two majors from limited opportunities. Without a doubt midfielder Zippy Fish was the star collecting 27 disposals and five inside 50s in the win. Fellow midfielders Chloe Wrigley and Ashleigh Gomes were also busy, while Taya Chambers caught the eye coming out of defence.

The usual suspects for Swan Districts were at it again with Carys D’Addario and Lily Paterson both amassing 23 disposals. Adi Griffith also found plenty of the football, while the return of Brianna Hyde to the club saw the talented small slot a goal from 16 touches and five tackles.

West Perth’s red-hot form this season continued with the in-form Megan Kauffman and Taylor Ferguson again starring in the Falcons’ 46-point win over South Fremantle. In West Perth’s greatest test to-date this season, the Falcons passed with flying colours coming away with a 9.8 (62) to 2.4 (16) victory.

Kauffman finished with 25 touches, six marks, five tackles, five inside 50s and two goals, while Ferguson managed 22 disposals, nine marks, two tackles, two inside 50s and two goals. Bianca Webb and Mia Russo were also dangerous, while Emily Bennett provided some serious pressure on the inside.

Missing their two best young stars in Molly O’Hehir and Renee Morgan who were late withdrawals, the Bulldogs struggled in that area, and only managed the 23 inside 50s for the match. Poppy Stockwell continued her fantastic form with 19 disposals and nine marks, while Caitlin Pears found plenty of the ball, and Fremantle-listed duo Tahleah Mulder and Ariana Hetherington were both important in the game.

There were no surprises in the Sunday standalone game as Subiaco came away with a cruisy 67-point win over the struggling Peel Thunder. The Lions bounced back from consecutive losses to even the ledger this season, booting five goals to two in the final term as the floodgates opened to record an 11.13 (79) to 2.0 (12) victory.

Leila Rowe had her team’s most touches with 20 in the win while also kicking a goal. AFLW-experienced duo Krstel Petrevski and Maggie MacLachlan were among the many contributors, while Eva Popovsky laid a massive 11 tackles from 16 disposals. Tess Lyons stepped up for 26 hitouts from 12 disposals, four marks and four inside 50s.

It was a big game for Thunder defender Evie Cowcher who racked up 28 disposals, eight marks and four tackles. Ebony Bilcich (24 disposals, four marks) and Ebony Dowson (18 disposals, seven marks and three tackles) was also productive, while Jorja Haines kicked both of Peel’s final term goals.