WAFLW Team of the Week – Round 1Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - 10:29 AM - by Chris Pike

WAFLW Round 1 is in the books and what a way it was to open up the 2022 season with a win on the siren for Peel Thunder, historic victory for South Fremantle and Claremont making quite the statement.

The 2022 WAFLW season got underway with the three Round 1 matches with the first coming on Saturday night in Mandurah with Peel Thunder hosting Subiaco.

The Thunder celebrated their premiership triumph by unfurling the flag pre-match, but it was the Lions on top most of the evening at Lane Group Stadium. 

That was until Kira Phillips marked in front of goal with time about to expire. She went back to kick her second goal of the contest and Peel started their premiership defence with the 4.8 (32) to 5.1 (31) victory.

The other two match ups took place on Sunday starting at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with South Fremantle and West Perth both searching for a first ever WAFLW victory.

It was the Bulldogs who proved too strong handing the Falcons the loss in their WAFLW debut, winning 10.14 (74) to 0.0 (0) on their home turf for a first every victory in the competition.

Last up was the Dhara Kerr Cup on the line between Claremont and Swan Districts at Revo Fitness Stadium. It was the Tigers who proved too strong, beating Swans 8.12 (60) to 1.2 (8).

Each week of the WAFLW season during 2022, we will be selecting a Team of the Week as well, and here's how the side for Round 1 came together.

Kira Phillips picked herself in the forward-line after her two goals and five shots on goal for Peel from six kicks, including kicking the game winner.

She wasn’t the only Peel player to standout. Ebony Dowson earns a spot on the half-back flank for her performance made up of 19 possessions, eight marks and three entries inside the forward 50.

Gracie Fenton gets a spot on the ball after 17 disposals and four tackles with midfield teammate Chloe Wrigley narrowly missing a starting spot after her 16 possessions and 12 tackles.

Subiaco will take a lot from the performance on Saturday night despite the heartbreaking loss. Beth Schilling was a standout down back with 10 possessions and two marks while Tarni Golisano earns a spot on the wing with 19 disposals, two marks and two tackles.

Amy Mulholland was tremendous in attack with 19 touches and two goals as well for the Lions while Jayme Harken is named in the middle for 20 possessions, eight tackles and a goal. Tess Lyons also earns a spot on the bench from the Lions after her strong effort in the ruck with 23 hit outs.

South Fremantle scored its first ever WAFLW victory on Sunday and there were plenty of strong performers in the Bulldogs triumph.

Lauren Gauci earns the centre half-back spot in the Team of the Week after her effort made up of 18 possessions and five marks.

The Bulldogs forward-line was lively and rewarded for their efforts were both Ashleigh Reidy and Noa McNaughton. Reidy kicked three goals from 16 disposals and six marks, and McNaughton also kicked three goals from 15 touches and three marks.

Lauren Wafker is named in the ruck for the Team of the Week after delivering 19 possessions, 16 hit outs, seven tackles, five inside-50 entries and a goal for South Fremantle.

Bulldogs pair Lauren Vecchio (19 disposals, seven tackles) and Tahlia Holtze (19 disposals, five inside 50s, four marks, three tackles) also earned a spot on the interchange.

Claremont had a tremendous performance on Sunday to beat Swan Districts with Ella Smith outstanding in the midfield. Her performance of 23 possessions, four marks, three inside 50s and a goal had her an automatic selection in the centre spot.

Kate Orme gets the spot on the wing for 21 disposals, nine marks and a goal as well with Sasha Goranova named at half-forward after kicking two goals to go with 16 possessions and four tackles.

Tessa Doumanis also earned a spot on the wing after her performance of 11 touches, five marks and two goals.

It was a tough first up outing for Swan Districts but Emma Nanut and Lauren Osborne battled hard down back, and both were named to the Team of the Week as a result of their efforts.

Round 2 in the WAFLW competition for 2022 begins this Saturday afternoon with East Fremantle making their first appearance of the season when they host Swan Districts at New Choice Homes Park.

Then on Saturday evening, Peel Thunder is again at home to South Fremantle at Lane Group Stadium.

The round will wrap up on Sunday afternoon at Leederville Oval with Subiaco taking on Claremont.