AN EVEN round of WAFL Women’s action opened the 2026 season with six of the eight sides in action having three or more representatives in our Round 1 Team of the Week. South Fremantle racked up a league-high five players in the team, while West Perth was not far behind with four.

Fellow winners Swan Districts and East Perth each had three alongside Peel Thunder and Subiaco. The two most dominant teams of the modern era in Claremont and East Fremantle suffered big defeats in Round 1 and managed just two and one player respectively in the side.

Leading the first up team is Swan Districts ball-winner Jaime Henry who racked up 30-plus disposals and was everywhere for the Swans in a massive win over reigning premiers Claremont. Despite the big win in the grand final rematch, the black and whites only had the three representatives because of such an even team effort. The other two were returning forward Ashley Sharp – who booted three goals – and Alana Barba who rode shotgun with Henry in midfield finding plenty of the footy.

South Fremantle signalled its intention to return to finals action with a commanding victory over East Fremantle in the Derby. The Bulldogs kept the Sharks goalless and earned a league-high five players with a couple of ex-East teammates making the Team of the Week in their new colours.

Premiership skipper Ashleigh Gomes and defender Madison Evans earned spots in the side, as did fellow recruit Mikayla Hyde, who due to the strength of the defenders, was named at half-forward where she also darted at times. Forward Annalie Polimeno (two goals) and ruck Charlotte Vandenberg were the other Bulldogs in the team.

By comparison, East Fremantle’s only representative was new captain Tiani Teakle who tried her heart out across defence and the margin would no doubt have been larger without her there. Claremont had a pair of players in the Team of the Week with full-back Claire Ortlepp doing her best on the last line, and Georgia Webb impressing in her new number 10 jumper.

West Perth and Subiaco put on a show and combined for seven players in our Team of the Week, though the Lions were unlucky as well to have two emergencies such was the top-end depth. The Falcons had more overall contributors however, with defensive pair Liliana Grassenis and Jessica Roper both outstanding in the back 50. Winger-turned-midfielder Megan Norbury and the player who assumed her role on the wing in Rikisha Nannup also provided plenty of run and skills to slot onto the bench.

Subiaco AFLW experienced duo in Lisa Steane and Paige Sheppard were valiant in defence and join captain Henry in the midfield. The former Sydney Swans were also named alongside WAFLW teammate Dahna Lee who was steadfast in the back half.

Rounding out the WAFLW Team of the Week for Round 1 are half a dozen players from the East Perth-Peel Thunder two-point thriller. The winning Royals outfit had winger Elly Sara, skilful over-ager Lucy Greenwood and former Falcon – and match-winner – Elissa Price in the team. The Thunder were lead by defender Cassie Davidson as well as talented bottom-age duo Charlie Fletcher and Tiama Collard the others.

While limiting the emergencies to just three players was tough, in the end the trio chosen were Lions duo Annabel Johnson and Krstel Petrevski, and former Swan Districts skipper now returned midfielder Jessica Cox.

2026 WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 1

B: Liliana Grassenis (West Perth) – Claire Ortlepp (Claremont) – Dahna Lee (Subiaco)
HB: Jessica Roper (West Perth) – Madison Evans (South Fremantle) – Cassie Davidson (Peel Thunder)
C: Charlie Fletcher (Peel Thunder) – Jaime Henry (Swan Districts) (c) – Elly Sara (East Perth)
HF: Mikayla Hyde (South Fremantle) – Elissa Price (East Perth) – Tiama Collard (Peel Thunder)
F: Annalie Polimeno (South Fremantle) – Ashley Sharp (Swan Districts) – Lucy Greenwood (East Perth)
R: Charlotte Vandenberg (South Fremantle) – Lisa Steane (Subiaco) – Paige Sheppard (Subiaco)
INT: Alana Barba (Swan Districts) – Ash Gomes (South Fremantle) – Megan Norbury (West Perth) – Rikisha Nannup (West Perth) – Tiana Teakle (East Fremantle) – Georgia Webb (Claremont)

EMG: Jessica Cox (Swan Districts) – Annabel Johnson (Subiaco) – Krstel Petrevski (Subiaco)