WEST Perth finally got on the board in the 2025 WAFL Women’s season, with Claremont edging out East Fremantle, Subiaco justifying its premiership credibility and South Fremantle also remaining undefeated after a scare from Peel Thunder. As always we took a look at those West Australian State Academy members in action across the WAFLW and noted down how they performed.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

West Perth:

#3 Samara Sallie (Defender)
Stats: 5 disposals, 2 tackles

Did not see as much action in the game as her past two with the ball quiet often up the other end. She laid a couple of huge memorable tackles at either end of the game, and showed great courage when required. Was solid throughout without needing to do too much.

#7 Mia Russo (Midfielder)
Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 2 goals

The dominant player on the field, Russo was a clear best on ground and produced a match-winning performance for the Falcons. She worked forward well to hit the scoreboard twice, including the last goal of the game. For a full rundown on her performance, check out our Player Focus.

>> WAFLW Player Focus: Mia Russo

#25 Lexi Strachan (Midfielder)
Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 6 inside 50s

Covering the ground well in the win, Strachan was able to find the ball in all thirds of the ground. Though often under pressure when around the coalface, she is quick to get ball to boot even if it is designed just to clear the immediate danger. Her best touch came when she was surging forward and hit a nice target on the lead inside 50.

#31 Cara Dziegelewski (Ruck/Forward)
Stats: 14 disposals, 4 tackles, 12 hitouts, 5 inside 50s, 2 behinds

The athletic bottom-age ruck rotated between there and up forward, having a couple of chances on goal but just missing including a clever snap around her body. She did hit a nice kick down the ground after follow-up work from a ruck stoppage in the opening term, and set up a goal late in the second with a long kick inside 50 as well.

Perth:

#34 Addison Opalinski (Defender)
Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles

Spent more time in the defensive half of the ground this week and was tasked with some of the kickouts as well. Though not winning a heap of it early, she saved a goal on the defensive goalline and then laid a couple of great tackles along the way. Her defensive intent and ground coverage was impressive and she did what she could in defeat.

By: Erin Piez

Swan Districts:

#5 Carys D’Addario
Stats: 24 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 behind

The midfielder was a standout, playing a smart, high-pressure game and constantly finding space, especially around ruck contests where she was often first to the ball. Her ability to read the play and lose her opponent was a highlight across all four quarters. A great example came in the third quarter when she received the ball cleanly out of a ruck contest and delivered a perfectly timed handball to a teammate at the top of the forward 50, showcasing her composure and ability to read the play.  D’Addario took multiple intercept marks, cleanly collected loose balls under pressure, and consistently chose the right options. Her run-and-carry in contested situations showed composure, and her physicality and work rate didn’t fade late in the game.

#14 Ava Stewart
Stats: 5 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 3 hitouts, 1 inside 50

While her statline wasn’t as stacked, Stewart had a solid impact around stoppages and in the defensive 50. Her marking was strong across the ground, often pushing up into space to provide an option, and she delivered clean entries into the forward 50. Her presence was felt a lot in the second term, with some smart handballs over opponents and supporting runs, presenting for her teammates. Stewart worked hard off the ball, chasing down opponents and laying a crucial tackle in the third quarter. She had a particularly effective presence in the ruck, with a few key taps to advantage and a strong body presence.

Subiaco:

#22 Olivia Wolmarans (Key Forward)
Stats: 9 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 3 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 1 behind

Wolmarans was a key link-up player in Subiaco’s forward half, using her height and spatial awareness to present as a strong marking option up the ground. She created multiple scoring opportunities through clean movement into space, often finding herself unmarked and ready to launch forward entries. She chased hard, applying pressure at ground level, and helped create space for teammates with her smart positioning. In the first quarter, she chased a loose ball multiple times with a defender hanging off her, used her body well to control the contest, and tapped the ball out to a teammate, then continued her run into space. It was a moment that really summed up her work rate and willingness to compete.

#24 Sunni-Quay Peters (Defender)
Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles

Peters brought elite pressure and physicality across all four quarters. She consistently made second and third efforts, especially in defensive contests, and her ability to recover, tackle, and follow up was crucial to halting Swan Districts’ momentum. She showed excellent awareness in both contested and open play, providing clean handballs under pressure and covering ground quickly. Peters was composed with ball in hand and often found herself in the right spots, helping link up play through the middle. Early in the second quarter, she gathered a loose ball, ran into space, and delivered a clean handball to a teammate — a moment that highlighted her positioning and ability to make smart decisions under pressure.

#27 Layla Quinn-Schofield (Forward)
Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals, 1 behind

A genuine game-changer for Subiaco, Quinn-Schofield was electric in front of goal. She read the play brilliantly and finished her chances with composure, scoring three goals and putting constant pressure on Swan Districts’ defenders. Her ability to stay in motion, apply forward-half pressure, and hit the scoreboard made her one of the most dangerous players on the ground. Beyond her goal sense, her tackling pressure, especially in the second half, and her one-on-one strength helped lock the ball inside 50 and win her side multiple key moments.

South Fremantle:

#15 Renee Morgan (Midfielder)
Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 4 inside 50s

While it was a quieter outing from the talented midfielder, Morgan still showed plenty of eye-catching traits in the match. Though not explosive, Morgan has the awareness to sidestep players through the midfield and she showed it on a couple of occasions to get herself out of trouble. Her release by hand as well as her disposal by foot stood out, often looking to go route one down the middle for the Bulldogs and try and catch the Thunder defence on the back foot.

#31 Marie Polimeno (Defender)
Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles

The athletic tall was again prominent for South Fremantle, applying plenty of pressure in the back half. Though she did make a few mistakes by foot, she is generally a clean user and she was able to compete both in the air and at ground level. She played on a couple of different opponents and in the second term read the ball in flight well to out-fox her opponent, mark it in the back pocket and kick long to half-back. At times Polimeno pushed up to the wing and played as a higher defender, but the bottom-ager has the flexibility to play deeper as well.

Peel Thunder:

#2 Evie Cowcher (Defender)
Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles

Another consistent performance from the two-time Western Australia MVP, playing high and thwarting a number of Bulldogs attacks. She took a number of kickouts as well and looked to go long, but held a high line to maintain attack mode through the majority of the contest. As has been the case throughout her career, if an opposition forward allows her to sag off, she will mark anything in her vicinity. She only had the two marks – but both were intercepts in the second half – and she did well working hard from the defence.

#7 Heidi Ireland (Defender)
Stats: 6 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s

Had a huge job on Poppy Stockwell for the most part and acquitted herself well. At times Stockwell looked dangerous, but Ireland was not overawed and kept her goalless. While the South Fremantle forward did have a couple of behinds to her name, Ireland’s defensive work – keeping right with her when opposed to her was a big tick for the young Thunder prospect.

Claremont:

#11 Ella Gilbey (Forward)
Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 goals, 1 behind

Gilbey has really found her home in the Claremont attack, providing a target leading outside 50, and having the wherewithal to dart back when required to pose a threat closer to the big sticks. She kicked her first after bumping her opponent over and then running in and slotting the goal from 15m out midway through the first term, before kicking a crucial major midway through the fourth off hands with a classy snap. She might have only had the 10 touches, but it seemed each time she went near it she was a threat to do maximum damage, and she also looks to bring others into the game when required.

#19 Mia Jackson (Defender)
Stats: 7 disposals, 2 marks

Made her Claremont League debut in the clash and held her own against a quality attack. She took a strong one-on-one mark to open her account and then repeated the dose a moment later. Her early touches were a little hit and miss, but she settled into the role and provided a well-timed spoil on Anjelique Raison midway through the second term as a highlight in the match.

#33 Juliet Kelly (Midfielder)
Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 11 tackles, 2 inside 50s

After playing defence last week, Kelly predominantly played through the middle and used her elite endurance base to work over the Sharks midfielders. She covered the ground exceptionally well, and while the majority of her involvements were around the coalface, she applied terrific defensive pressure with a massive 11 tackles in the game. She had a couple of rushed kicks due to the added pressure, but was so clean and quick by hand which opened up teammates to stream forward. She makes others better around her.

East Fremantle:

#13 Maya Louvel-Finn (Defender)
Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles

Has had an ultra-consistent year and that continued into Round 3 with another steadfast performance on the last line and pushing up the ground. Her pressure in the air and at ground level was great and as a strong user, she ticks a lot of boxes. She did have a couple of moments she might want back – including getting caught behind her opponent when there was a quick kick headed in her vicinity – but as a whole, Louvel-Finn is progressing really well and is definitely having some underlining performances.

#17 Alicia Blizard (Forward)
Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

Made the most of limited opportunities to kick two goals from eight touches and had the Claremont defence wary of her. She kicked her first following a terrific tackle inside 50 and subsequent set shot, then nailed another set shot late in the game to watched the Sharks’ lead out to eight points just before the final break with a 40m brilliant kick. She did have a moment of worry where she looked sore and clutched her knee – having had knee problems in the past – but played on and was able to impact the game with that third quarter goal goal.