WAFLW Round 1 RecapMonday, March 4, 2024 - 10:05 AM - by Chris Pike

LAST year's WAFLW Grand Finalists Claremont and East Fremantle made winning starts to the 2024 season on Saturday with West Perth making a statement and Subiaco winning the battle of Leederville co-tenants.

Round 1 of the 2024 WAFLW season got underway on Saturday and it's set to be the most competitive season yet with East Perth showing they have improved, and all other seven teams showing enough to suggest they will be in the finals mix.

Over at Revo Fitness Stadium, Claremont took the honours over Swan Districts 7.5 (47) to 4.7 (31) on the back of an undefeated season in 2023 up until the Grand Final.

Emily Bonser marked her return for Claremont with 20 possessions and two goals with Bec Anderson also kicking two goals.

Last year's Dhara Kerr Medallist Jayme Harken started the season on fire for the Tigers with 25 disposals and a goal while new recruit Anjelique Raison collected 14 touches, Eva O'Donnell 13 and Laura Cinnani 13.

Swan Districts' goals came from Courtney Zappara, Indiana West, Hope Ugle-Hayward and the returning Emily McGuire while Carys D'Addario had 18 possessions and Emma Humphries 16.

It was then the battle of Leederville co-tenants at Sullivan Logistics Stadium and while it was a big win for Subiaco, there were encouraging signs for the Royals too with the Lions ending up winning 18.8 (116) to 3.3 (21).

Olivia Wolmarans had a day out for Subiaco kicking six goals with Airlie Runnalls, Eva Popovsky, Amy Mulholland, Fina Dethlefsen and Maggie MacLachlan all kicked two apiece.

Madison Dodd amassed 25 possessions for the Lions, Krstel Petrevski 19 and Lauren Bilaloski 15.

East Perth's goals came from Eliza van de Velde, Courtney Horsham and Gabrielle Canicosa while Lucy Greenwood picked up 14 disposals, Taylah Suda 13 and Jess Verbrugge 12 along with eight tackles.

It was then a derby at Fremantle Community Bank Oval which doubled as a rematch of last year's preliminary final with East Fremantle ending up beating South Fremantle 4.4 (28) to 3.7 (25).

Mylee Leitch kicked two of the four goals in the game for the Sharks while exciting young gun Zippy Fish had 21 possessions with Chloe Wrigley collecting 20 disposals, Leanne Gubbins 19 and Ashleigh Gomes 17.

Noa McNaughton kicked two goals for South Fremantle with Liusaidh Gilchrist racking up 25 possessions, Poppy Stockwell 19, Renee Morgan 19 and Molly O'Hehir 19.

The last game of Round 1 took place at Mandurah's Lane Group Stadium with West Perth looking strong on the way to the 7.14 (56) to 3.1 (19) victory against Peel Thunder.

Brooke Hongell had a day out in the win for West Perth finishing with four goals to go with 19 possessions, five inside-50 entries and four marks.

Taylor Ferguson also had 21 touches for the Falcons, Imahra Cameron 20, Katherine Bennett 19, Mia Russo 18 and Emily Bennett 18.

Peel's goals were kicked by Chelsea Hutchinson, Jordain Thompson and Ava Cristodero with young gun Evie Cowcher gathering 28 possessions, Ebony Dowson 21 and Ebony Bilcich 21.

Meanwhile, Round 1 of the Rogers Cup also took place on the weekend starting on Saturday afternoon with Swan Districts defeating Claremont 7.12 (54) to 6.8 (44) at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Subiaco also defeated East Perth 8.8 (56) to 4.3 (27) and East Fremantle downed South Fremantle 9.6 (60) to 1.2 (8).

The Round 1 Rogers Cup action wrapped up on Sunday morning with Peel Thunder beating 5.12 (42) to 4.5 (29).

WAFLW PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 1

CLAREMONT 7.5 (47) defeated SWAN DISTRICTS 4.7 (31)

EAST PERTH 3.3 (21) lost to SUBIACO 18.8 (116)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 3.7 (25) lost to EAST FREMANTLE 4.4 (28)

PEEL THUNDER 3.1 (19) lost to WEST PERTH 7.14 (56)