WAFLW Team of the Week – Round 8Tuesday, April 12, 2022 - 2:52 PM - by Chris Pike

SOUTH Fremantle captain Lauren Vecchio celebrated her milestone night in style in Round 8 of the WAFLW competition while Tessa Doumanis kicked four goals for Claremont and Sharon Wong dominated for East Fremantle in just three of the standout Team of the Week performances.

That meant that competition for spots once again in the WAFLW Team of the Week was fierce for Round 8 following the three matches that took place across the weekend.

The Round 8 WAFLW action began on Friday night at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with South Fremantle beating Subiaco for the first ever time 8.2 (50) to 1.4 (10).

Then on Saturday, East Fremantle maintained its unbeaten record this season by defeating two-time reigning premiers Peel Thunder 6.7 (43) to 1.3 (9) at Mandurah's Lane Group Stadium.

And finally on Sunday at Revo Fitness Stadium, Claremont snapped the four-game winning streak of Swan Districts with the 9.6 (60) to 2.6 (18) victory.

Following eight rounds of the 2022 WAFLW season, it's East Fremantle still clear on top of the ladder with the perfect 7-0 record after their seventh consecutive win.

Claremont (6-1) sits in second spot ahead of Swan Districts (4-3) and Peel Thunder (3-4) who round out the top four in front of South Fremantle (2-5), Subiaco (2-5) and West Perth (0-6).

There is just the one game to come in Round 9 of the WAFLW competition with West Perth taking on South Fremantle on Sunday at Joondalup's Provident Financial Oval.

WAFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK – ROUND 8
BACK: Alex Williams (EF), Molly O'Hehir (SF)
HALF-BACK: Paige Hamilton-Smith (C), Ebony Dowson (PT), Hayley O'Donnell (EF)
CENTRE: Kiara Templeman (SF), Chloe Wrigley (PT), Madeleine Scanlon (C)
HALF-FORWARD: Noa McNaughton (SF), Rosie Anderson (SF), Marni Alston (EF)
FORWARD: Julia Teakle (EF), Tessa Doumanis (C)
RUCK: Lauren Catherine (EF), Lauren Vecchio (SF), Sharon Wong (EF)
INTERCHANGE: Matilda Dyke (C), Ella Smith (C), Beth Beckett (EF), Greta McKinley (PT), Tarni Golisano (S)

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 8 came together.

South Fremantle had the biggest night in their three years as part of the WAFLW competition and as a result a host of their players were recognised in the Team of the Week for Round 8.

That includes Molly O'Hehir who was named in the back-line on the back of her performance made up of 13 possessions, three marks and two tackles.

Kiara Templeman was also impressive in the win for the Bulldogs with 23 disposals, five inside-50 entries, four tackles and two marks to be named to the Team of the Week for a second time this season.

Noa McNaughton has been one of the competition's best forwards so far this season and she kicked another goal to go with 12 touches, four marks and three inside-50 entries to be named to the Team of the Week for a fourth time in 2022.

Rosie Anderson produced her best performance of the season to be named to centre half-forward in the Team of the Week on the back of delivering 15 possessions, eight tackles, six inside 50s and two goals in South Fremantle's win against Subiaco.

Bulldogs captain Lauren Vecchio was celebrating her 100th game for South Fremantle and not only did she get to mark the occasion with a win, but was outstanding herself with 21 disposals, 12 tackles, three marks and three inside-50 entries to earn a spot on the ball in the Team of the Week.

It was a tough loss for Subiaco on Friday night to South Fremantle but Tarni Golisano battled hard for the Lions with 23 possessions, nine tackles and four marks to earn a spot in the Team of the Week on the interchange for fourth time this season.

East Fremantle maintained their undefeated start to the season on Saturday beating Peel in Mandurah and Alex Williams was once again outstanding down back. She earned a spot in the Team of the Week as a result for a fifth time this season after her seven possessions and two marks.

Hayley O'Donnell was also named on the half-back flank in the Team of the Week after producing a strong defensive performance for East Fremantle including six possessions and two tackles.

Marni Alston was named to the half-forward flank too from East Fremantle after she kicked two goals from six kicks, five marks, five hit outs and four tackles.

Julia Teakle continued her impressive form for the Sharks to be named to the Team of the Week for a third time this season after kicking a goal to go with 12 disposals, two marks and two tackles.

Lauren Catherine again produced a standout game in the ruck for East Fremantle for the second straight week with her performance including 27 hit outs along with five possessions, two marks and two entries inside the forward 50.

Sharon Wong was again outstanding for the Sharks to be named in the midfield again for the Team of the Week after her efforts that produced 23 touches, eight tackles, two marks and two inside-50 entries.

Beth Beckett also earned a spot on the bench in the Team of the Week from East Fremantle after her game of 20 possessions, six tackles, four marks and three inside-50 entries in the forward-line.

Peel Thunder might have suffered a loss to East Fremantle but Ebony Dowson was again tremendous to be named at centre half-back to earn a Team of the Week berth for a fifth time. She finished with 23 disposals, six marks and three tackles.

Chloe Wrigley also was named to the Team of the Week for a fifth time and she earned that centre position for 24 touches, six marks and five tackles for the Thunder.

Greta McKinely also had a strong performance for Peel on Saturday finishing with 18 touches, five marks and four tackles to earn a spot on the interchange.

Claremont scored another impressive win against Swan Districts on Sunday with Paige Hamilton-Smith a strong contributor down back to earn her spot in the Team of the Week after a standout defensive performance.

Madeleine Scanlon earned her spot on the wing after putting up a performance made up of 17 disposals, five marks and two entries inside the forward 50.

Tessa Doumanis was the best forward of the round across the WAFLW competition and she kicked four goals for Claremont from seven kicks and four tackles to earn a spot in the Team of the Week for a third time.

Matilda Dyke earned a spot in the Team of the Week for a first time after she had 14 possessions, 22 hit outs, seven tackles and three marks in the ruck for Claremont.

Ella Smith also earned her spot in the Team of the Week for a fourth time in 2022 after leading Claremont on Sunday with 12 disposals, three marks, two inside 50s and a goal.