2026 ATCO WAFLW Season Is Here!

A premiership coach and a premiership captain have endorsed the standard of the ATCO WAFLW competition ahead of a new season.

Jack Schwarze will once again coach the Tigers as they chase a third consecutive flag, while Ash Gomes is about to begin a new chapter in her career having moved from East Fremantle to South Fremantle over summer.

Both are bullish about what the competition offers in 2026.

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“It feels a little odd to be saying that yet again I think this year coming is going to be the best standard of WAFLW yet,” Schwarze predicted.

“Every year this competition grows and the standard increases, and at some point, it will have to slow down and plateau, but that’s not yet.

“There are so many players over the past couple of years who haven’t quite found their way on to AFLW lists, despite being good enough, and retaining those players in the WAFLW is a huge contribution to the standard of this competition.

“The WAFLW is also now an attractive competition where interstate players can see the value of moving across the country to play in, with another big influx of recruits from over east to multiple WAFLW clubs.

“The coaching standard too, is increasing, which is seeing more complete systems and higher efficiency of scoring games.

“It is very exciting to watch and be a part of.”

“The WAFLW is now preparing players for the transition to AFLW better than ever.”

“16, 17 and 18 years olds in the pathway are training with and playing against a larger number of AFLW quality players.

“Either those who have been in the AFLW or those who are just on the cusp.

“The higher the standard of teammate and opponent, the better developed these players are becoming.

“It feels like a lot of AFLW clubs are starting to notice this as well.”

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Gomes, who is heading into her 12^th season having played 141 games, has seen the growth of the women’s game in WA.

“The standard and professionalism of the competition has improved and grown significantly,” Gomes said.

“I started playing in the Youth Girls competition where we would struggle to fill a side and have to shorten a field just so we could play a game.

“It’s extraordinary to see how much the game has grown and it is really amazing to see the pathway that female athletes can now follow.

Gomes has joined South Fremantle after a decorated career with East Fremantle where she will always be remembered as a premiership captain in 2023.

“Moving to a new club was really daunting at first and I wasn’t sure how the “rivals” would take me in or how you would be received,” she said.

“It has been nothing but incredible and a really positive experience so far.

“The girls have welcomed me with open arms, and I feel like I have found my place in the group.

“The staff and coaching group at South Fremantle have been amazing and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be part of the club.

“I am so excited for the journey ahead at a new club, and it genuinely feels like it’s reignited a spark in me.”

Gomes won’t wait long to face her former team with a Round 1 Derby set down for Saturday.

“Definitely a mix of emotions heading into this weekend,” Gomes revealed.

“Excitement, a few nerves and plenty of anticipation.

“I’ve been really fortunate to make the move alongside Natasha Entwistle and Madison Evans, so having each other this week has made it much easier to lean on one another and work through those emotions together.

“As with any Derby, there’s always a bit of extra spice, which just adds to the game.”

There’s a different type of pressure for Schwarze as the Tigers plan to win three flags in a row.

“A three-peat will be incredibly hard, but hard is what we want here at Claremont, “he said.

“We know that we are the hunted, we know that a lot of plans are heavily focused on how to stop us, and we know that the majority of WA are sick of seeing us at the top, but we aren’t planning on going away any time soon.

“I have spoken to some people who have been involved in three peats and often hunger, and motivation are at the top of the list of most important things to get right.

“At this stage I haven’t questioned this groups hunger, they still see improvement and constantly want to be better.

“The more teams come after us, the better we have to be, so we thank everyone for their challenge as it’s what keeps us growing.”

As the Tigers look ahead to their challenge, clubs like Subiaco will be desperate to take the next step after finishing the home and away season last year in second place.

Swan Districts has the chance to press for another Grand Final appearance, while the Sharks will aim to improve on their 2025 season which yielded nine wins and seven losses.

Having missed out on the finals by percentage last season, West Perth’s target is clear.

A sixth-place finish won’t satisfy the Bulldogs, despite finishing outside the top four by just one game and percentage.

Peel Thunder only produced four wins last year, leaving the club with a seventh placed finish and the third successive season near the bottom of the table.

Perth’s encouraging three-win inaugural season is a launching pad for their second campaign, while the Royals will be hoping for significant improvement after claiming the wooden spoon and just one victory in 2025