Gomes Given Green Light to Continue as Sharks Captain

East Fremantle skipper Ashleigh Gomes has described being appointed captain of the club for a third consecutive season as an honour.

A decorated player with the Sharks, Gomes is the club’s reigning fairest and best winner and finished equal second behind teammate Sharon Wong in the 2022 Dhara Kerr Medal count.

She was also signed as an injury replacement player with the West Coast Eagles AFLW side last season, playing the final two games.

The focus for Gomes now is firmly on her leadership role at East Fremantle.

“Being captain is always a huge honour, and I’d describe my style as approachable, loyal, determined, and authentically myself.

I love to drive standards but in saying that I also like to have fun, with a healthy balance of setting the tone and being serious.

I’ve been around for a while now and I think new coach Steph Walding has really pushed up our standards,” she said.

Gomes has nothing but praise for the way the squad has hit the ground running in 2023.

“The vibe this year is exciting, fresh and really positive.

We’ve all come into the pre-season eager and determined, with Steph backing us in and challenging us.

For me, Steph has been a great mentor and role model over the past few years, so to be playing under her again it feels surreal,” Gomes declared.

East Fremantle finished the home and away season last year as minor premiers only to go down to Claremont in the WAFLW Grand Final, a loss which will drive the group in 2023.

“I wouldn’t say it stayed with us, but I’d be lying if the result wasn’t disappointing at the time.

If you sit and dwell on what’s happened in the past, you won’t get anywhere in the future, so we just have to move on.

We use it as a motivation to get fitter, stronger, and faster this year, so I’m excited to see what happens when the season kicks off,” Gomes said.

As the standard of the WAFLW continues to rise, the Sharks have a new motto ahead of the March season opener.

“Last year our trademark word was “redemption” and I believe we did that after a disappointing 2021 season.

We’re not going to let last year’s Grand Final loss define us as a football club.

In 2023 we have “unfinished business”, she said.