WAFLW Round 11 WrapMonday, May 22, 2023 - 10:31 AM - by Chris Pike

CLAREMONT and Swan Districts were the big winners in Round 11 of the WAFLW with the Tigers remaining undefeated in 2023 while Swans making it six consecutive wins to improve to third position.

It always loomed potentially as being a statement weekend of action in the 2023 WAFLW season and that's how it panned out with Claremont winning the top-of-the-table clash with South Fremantle while Swans won the battle over third position with Subiaco.

The round's action got underway on Saturday at Leederville Oval as part of the double-header at the venue and it saw a thriller take place with third place going on the line.

In the end, Swan Districts prevailed 4.3 (27) to 4.2 (26) against Subiaco to make it six wins on the trot and to improve to third position on the WAFLW ladder while the loss sees the Lions slip outside the top four altogether percentage behind the fourth placed East Fremantle.

Speaking of East Fremantle, it was the Sharks who returned to the winner's list at Leederville Oval on Saturday to move back into the top four by beating East Perth 9.14 (68) to 1.1 (7).

West Perth was able to continue its encouraging second season in the WAFLW competition as well on Saturday by beating Peel Thunder 6.2 (38) to 4.3 (27) at Mandurah's Lane Group Stadium with the Falcons scoring their fourth victory of the 2023 season.

Round 11 then concluded with the battle of the top two teams at Fremantle Community Bank Oval and it was Claremont making yet another statement by beating South Fremantle 8.4 (52) to 3.5 (23).

The victory all but locks in the Tigers to claim the minor premiership on the back of last year's flag triumph with them now having nine wins and a draw from 10 matches. The Bulldogs remain clear in second despite their second loss of the season with both coming at the hands of Claremont.

Meanwhile, Round 11 of the Rogers Cup got underway on Saturday morning at Leederville Oval with Swan Districts defeating Subiaco 4.6 (30) to 1.1 (7).

Alana Papalia, Olivia Rasenberg, Summer Ajduk and Brookie Edwards kicked a goal each in the win for Swan Districts. Subiaco's lone goal came from Abbey Partridge.

Next up on Saturday was at Mandurah's Lane Group Stadium with West Perth defeating 5.11 (41) to Peel Thunder 2.1 (13) to remain undefeated in 2023. Hayley Bidefeld kicked three goals in the win for the Falcons.

The last game on Saturday was also at Leederville Oval with East Perth beating East Fremantle 9.10 (64) to 3.3 (21). Jorja Schell and Hannah Challender kicked two goals each for the Royals with Taylah York managing two goals for the Sharks.

The final match of the round was on Sunday at Revo Fitness Stadium with Claremont defeating Perth 8.12 (60) to 2.5 (17).

Jessica Rava and Savannah Muir kicked two goals each for Claremont with Perth's goals coming from Mia Carlshausen and Bindi Pickett.

 

WAFLW PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 11

SUBIACO 4.2 (26) lost to SWAN DISTRICTS 4.3 (27)

Swan Districts broke the deadlock with a behind to Cassie McWilliam to beat Subiaco by that solitary point to make it six consecutive wins and to rise to third position on the WAFLW ladder.

Swan Districts arrived at Leederville Oval having won its past five matches on the back of losing the first four games of 2023 while Subiaco were fresh off a win against East Fremantle to consolidate a top four position.

It turned out to be a terrific contest with third position on the line with Swans kicking three goals to one in the opening half but the Lions responded with three goals to one in the second half.

A third draw of the WAFLW season was looming until the deadlock was broken by a behind for Swan Districts to McWilliam and that saw them win 4.3 (27) to 4.2 (26).

The victory means that Swans have now won six matches in-a-row to improve to a 6-4 record and rocket up to third position. It's a tough loss for Subiaco who are now fifth with five wins, four losses and a draw.

Swan Districts' four goals for the day were kicked by Taylah Edwards, Ruby Mahony, Hope Ugle-Hayward and Cassie McWilliam, who also had 15 disposals, four marks and four inside-50 entries.

Tyla Fitzgerald and Naomi Baker collected 15 possessions for Swan Districts and both were made up of afternoons where they had four kicks, 11 handpasses and two tackles.

Mahony collected another 14 touches for the black-and-whites, Indiana West 13, Teyharna Curry 12 and Jasmine Ware 11 to go with seven tackles and four marks.

Hanna Dethlefsen continued her strong goalkicking form for Subiaco by finishing the day with another three with Olivia Wolmarans the other goalkicker for the Lions from 16 possessions.

Subiaco captain Tarni Golisano ended up with 16 possessions and 10 tackles for the contest with Eva Popovsky gathering 16 disposals, Grace Hahnel 16, Meg Brown 13 and Fina Dethlefsen 13 to go with five tackles and here inside-50 entries.

Jess Ritchie ended up with eight possessions and 13 hit outs in the ruck.

Swan Districts started strongly at Leederville Oval with the first two scoring shots of the game including the only goal of the opening quarter from Cassie McWilliam at the 14-minute mark.

Swans were still leading by that goal at quarter-time before two goals inside the opening six minutes of the second term stretched that advantage for the black-and-whites to 18 points.

Those goals were kicked by Taylah Edwards and Ruby Mahony before Subiaco kicked its first goal of the contest, and its only one of the half, thanks to Hanna Dethlefsen.

Swan Districts were still on top by 13 points at the main break but it was Subiaco who came out firing to start the second half. The Lions kicked two goals in the space of two minutes from Dethlefsen and then Olivia Wolmarans.

Suddenly that saw Subiaco level scores up but Swan Districts responded shortly before three quarter-time with a goal to Hope Ugle-Hayward to lead by that margin at the last change.

Subiaco kicked the only goal of the last term with a third of the day to Dethlefsen and that levelled scores once more at the eight-minute mark.

There would be just one more score the rest of the contest and that was a behind to McWilliam which was enough for Swan Districts to win by that point and confirm the six consecutive victories.
 

EAST PERTH 1.1 (7) lost to EAST FREMANTLE 9.14 (68)

East Fremantle was able to hold East Perth to one goal once again and kicked nine themselves to get the bounce back win they needed to return to fourth position in the WAFLW.

East Fremantle came into Saturday's game at Leederville Oval with three losses and a draw from the past four games to see them slip out of the top four meaning the Sharks had to bounce back emphatically against East Perth.

It was perfect timing for the Sharks to come up against the competition's newest team to build some confidence and getting back to winning form.

East Fremantle kicked the only two goals of the first quarter, two goals to one in the second term and then five goals to nil in the second half to end up winning 9.14 (68) to 1.1 (7).

The victory improves the Sharks to five wins, four losses and a draw to sit back inside the top four. The Royals have now lost their opening 10 matches in the WAFLW by an average of 64.7 points.

Georgie Cleaver produced a tremendous performance for East Fremantle made up of 13 possessions, 14 hit outs, five inside 50s, four marks and two goals.

Tayah Palmer also kicked two goals from five kicks for the Sharks with another five players kicking a goal apiece.

Larissa Versaci had a day out for East Fremantle as well racking up 26 possessions to go with nine tackles, six marks and six inside-50 entries.

Beth Beckett also gathered 19 disposals, Zipporah Fish 16, Sharon Wong 14 (nine tackles), Chloe Reilly 12 and Ashleigh Gomes 11 to go with five tackles.

East Perth's lone goal of the day was kicked by Bramley Haran while Julia Uhe continued her strong form for the Royals with another 21 possessions and four marks.

Chloe Sauzier also gathered 12 disposals, Lillian Ninyett 10 and Matilda Bennett nine to go with 15 hit outs and three tackles.

East Fremantle had the chance for a big win to break into the top four and to regain some confidence after a rough month, and the Sharks started perfectly with a goal inside the opening minute to Beth Beckett.

The Sharks scored a string of five behinds following that before closing the first quarter with a goal to Georgia Bett to be leading by 17 points having kept the Royals scoreless.

East Fremantle opened the second quarter with another goal to Georgie Cleaver but then East Perth did get on the board with Bramley Haran managing to kick truly at the eight-minute mark.

The Sharks took back control and despite adding another five behinds heading into half-time, they also kicked another goal to Grace Freeman and that saw them leading by 28 points at the long break.

It took almost eight minutes for the first score of the second half and that was a goal to Cleaver who added her second. Tayah Palmer then kicked two more inside four minutes and that helped East Fremantle open up the 47-point lead by three quarter-time.

After East Perth kicked a behind to start the last quarter through Tristin Ogonoski, East Fremantle controlled the rest of the contest including kicking goals to Chloe Reilly and Anjelique Raison to win by 61 points and return to the WAFLW's top four after Round 11.

 

PEEL THUNDER 4.3 (27) lost to WEST PERTH 6.2 (38)

Peel Thunder and West Perth were both just clinging to their finals aspirations coming into Saturday's clash in Mandurah and it was the Falcons who kicked the only two goals of the last quarter to win by 11 points.

Peel was back home at Lane Group Stadium to host West Perth and it was a tight contest for the opening three quarters.

West Perth kicked two goals to one in the first quarter before Peel turned the tide for two goals to one themselves in the second term. It was then a goal apiece with the scores level at three quarter-time.

The Falcons responded with the only two goals of the last quarter to win 6.2 (38) to 4.3 (27) to improve to a 4-6 record while Peel slips to 2-8 with the defeat.

Grace Betti was the only multiple goalkicker for the game for West Perth kicking two to go with 16 touches, five marks, three tackles and three inside-50 entries.

Jeevna Heer produced another impressive performance for West Perth with 22 possessions and five tackles with Emily Bennett also ending up with 22 touches, 11 tackles, five marks, two inside-50 entries and a goal.

Taylor Ferguson also racked up 21 disposals, Bianca Webb 19 (12 tackles), Kayla Van Den Heever 16 and Jess Roper 16. Brooke Hongell also ended up 10 possessions and 10 tackles.

Kira Phillips kicked another two goals for Peel from her six kicks for the afternoon.

Greta McKinley continued her standout season for the Thunder as part of the back-line set up and finished with 29 possessions, seven tackles and five inside-50 entries.

Captain Ebony Dowson racked up another 23 touches for Peel, Evie Cowcher 21, Krystal Carter 21, Kaitlyn Srhoj 19 and Holly Britton 17.

West Perth made a flying start looking to make it consecutive wins against Peel with the Falcons kicking two goals inside the game's first four points through Emily Bennett and Grace Betti.

Peel did reply a few minutes later courtesy of Kira Phillips who kicked both her team's two goals last week to see the Thunder cut the Falcons lead at quarter-time back to six points.

The Thunder continued with the momentum to start the second term with an early goal to Tanisha Anderson and then another to Phillips at the 10-minute mark which saw the home team grab a seven-point lead.

West Perth was able to wrestle back some of the control leading into half-time and a goal to Elissa Price saw scores all square heading into the main break.

There was only two scores the entire third quarter and that was a goal to either team, West Perth's from Liliana Grassenis and Peel's from Jessica Ruland which saw scores still level heading into the final term.

The Falcons were back on top to start the last quarter with a goal to Tia Bergin. The Thunder did have a couple of late chances to Anderson, but she kicked two behinds and West Perth sealed the win with another goal to Betti at the 15-minute mark.

 

SOUTH FREMANTLE 3.5 (23) lost to CLAREMONT 8.4 (52)

Claremont stamped its authority on the top-of-the-table clash with South Fremantle kicking the game's opening five goals to set up the eventual 29-point victory.

Claremont and South Fremantle both came into the contest in scintillating form with the Tigers having the chance to further consolidate their hold on top spot while the Bulldogs had the chance to heat up the race for the minor premiership.

The Tigers put their foot down from the outset on Saturday afternoon at Fremantle Community Bank Oval and kicked the only four goals of the first quarter while holding the Bulldogs to just the one behind.

South Fremantle hit back with three goals in the second term, but that would be the only goals they kicked for the game with Claremont running out 8.4 (52) to 3.5 (23) victors.

What it does for Claremont is virtually lock up the minor premiership with the Tigers now sitting clear in top spot with nine wins and a draw.

South Fremantle stays second but is now two games and a huge percentage behind Claremont while still a game and-a-half clear of the third placed Swan Districts.

Rachel Ortlepp has spent most of the season across half-back for Claremont but she spent more time forward on Saturday and it proved a masterstroke by coach Jack Schwarze. She ended up kicking two goals to go with 12 possessions and five marks.

Jacinta Valentini also kicked two goals for the Tigers as did Georgia Webb from her two kicks for the afternoon.

Jayme Harken continued her standout form in the midfield for Claremont finishing with 24 possessions, four marks and four tackles.

Matilda Sergeant also gathered 20 disposals for the Tigers, Claire Ortlepp 17, Andie Payne 16, Kobi Nichols 13, Ella Slocombe 12 and Sarah Viney 12 to go with six tackles.

Molly O'Hehir kicked two of the three goals for South Fremantle on the day with Zoe Huggett the other goal scorer to go with her 12 touches, nine hit outs and four marks.

Ariana Hetherington has been such a revelation this season crossing from being the Rockingham Flames captain in the NBL1 West to leading the ruck at South Fremantle. She had another 14 touches, 27 hit outs, five tackles, three marks and three inside-50 entries.

Charlie Wicksteed also had 12 disposals for the Bulldogs, Lauren Vecchio 11, Kloe Bassett 10 and Kahra Sprlyan nine along with two tackles and two inside 50s.

The two top teams in the competition came into the game in impressive form with Claremont trying to all but secure first place and South Fremantle to stay in the hunt, and it was the Tigers who had the better of the start at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Claremont kicked the game's first goal in just over two minutes thanks to Adele Arnup before Jacinta Valentini added another in the seventh minute. Valentini added another just before quarter-time as did Rachel Ortlepp.

Those four goals to one behind from South Fremantle gave Claremont the blistering opening in the battle of the WAFLW's top two teams.

The Tigers then also kicked the first goal of the second quarter through Eva O'Donnell and they had the first five goals on the board to have made quite the statement away from home.

South Fremantle steadied from there and had a terrific four-minute period of kicking three goals including the first two from Molly O'Hehir. Zoe Huggett soon added another and the Bulldogs had cut the Tigers lead back to 11 points.

Claremont did close the half with a steadying goal to Georgia Webb and that saw the reigning premiers leading by 18 points at the major break.

There were only two scores between the two teams in the third quarter and they were a goal to Claremont for Ortlepp and then a behind for South Fremantle to Huggett which meant the Tigers were still 23 points on top by three quarter-time.

Claremont would go on to kick the only goal in the final quarter as well and that was from Webb at the 15-minute mark with the Tigers securing the 29-point win to all but guarantee the minor premiership for 2023.