Team Success Krstel Clear for Dhara Kerr Medallist

Entering the 2026 ATCO WAFLW season as the Dhara Kerr Medallist won’t change the focus for Subiaco star Krstel Petrevski.

The prolific midfielder played a huge role in the Lions finishing the home and away season, averaging 26.1 disposals per game to go with five tackles.

The former AFLW player won the Dhara Kerr Medal by five votes in a popular victory.

“I’m really excited for the season to get underway this Saturday,” Petrevski said.

“The opportunity to go out, compete, and play the game I love alongside some of my closest mates is something I never take for granted.”

“I understand that with recognition from winning the medal comes increased attention, particularly on the footy field.

“But for me, it’s never been about myself, it’s always about my team and the girls I’m stepping foot on the field with.

“In terms of each week, it’s preparing well and for everything that may be thrown at us, playing my role and adapting to what that may look like, and delivering consistently in a way that contributes to the group’s success.”

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 Following the disappointment of being beaten in last year’s Preliminary Final, the Lions believe they have the squad to remain a contender.

“Internally at the Subiaco Football Club, we have a strong belief that our best football is capable of matching it with the top sides in the competition,” Petrevski said.

“There’s a strong sense of trust and alignment within the group, and we’ve built a solid foundation over time of how we want to play the game.

“For us, the key is consistency and what we do each week to give ourselves the best chance of securing the four points across the next 18 rounds.

“At the same time, we fully recognise how competitive the league is, with every team capable of putting themselves in that position.”

Petrevski refers to last year’s finals series when forecasting how competitive the upcoming ATCO WAFLW season will be.

“Personally, I believe 2026 will showcase a competition that has clearly grown and evolved,” she said.

“While I can’t predict the future, the 2025 season, particularly the finals series, was so close with many games decided by the smallest margins, showing just how competitive the league has become.

“Add to that strong off-season recruiting, the arrival of high-calibre talent, movement across the WAFLW, and the continued development of current players and coaching staff and all signs point to a step up again in 2026.

“It’s an exciting progression that will be hugely beneficial for the game, for women’s football, and for the WAFLW.”

Petrevski spent four seasons in the AFLW, firstly with Melbourne before the Eagles, believes the local competition will provide more AFLW players over the coming years.

“I believe the WAFLW provides a strong launching pad for players aspiring to reach the AFLW,” she said.

“One of the strengths of the competition is that, if players are physically ready, mentally supported, and have the talent, they can step into senior football from as young as 16.

“That exposure to league-level footy, competing against more experienced and mature players, helps accelerate their development.

“As the competition continues to grow and evolve, we’re seeing the benefits of that pathway highlighted by the 10 WA players drafted into the AFLW in 2025.”