2021 WAFLW Leadership Group

With Round 1 to commence on Saturday, the Peel Thunder Football Club is proud to announce the leadership group that will lead us through the 2021 WAFLW Season as decided by the players and coaches.

Cassie Davidson becomes the sole Captain, taking over from Co Premiership Captains Abby Barnden and Krystal Carter. 

Coach Steve Markham says that while Krystal and Abby are taking a step back from the Captaincy, they will still be a massive part of the club in 2021 with Krystal an important figure in the forward line structure and Abby a vital utility player capable of playing all over the ground.

“Krystal and Abby are both outstanding leaders and continue to be heavily involved and key contributors as Vice Captains. We are blessed to have Cassie Davidson take over as Captain, who has a solid amount of AFLW experience having played with both Fremantle and West Coast.” Markham said.

Setting an incredibly high standard this Pre-Season, Davidson, is a popular figure throughout the whole playing group so it’s not a shock that she was selected by her peers.

“It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, with the way she trains, mentors and leads at training. She has been a true professional and will be a great Captain this year.”

Honoured to have been selected Captain, Davidson is fairly unassuming and hopes to just build on what the leaders were able to put in place in 2020 with the eventual on-field goal being to once again taste that success at the end of the season.

“To be voted in as Captain of your club by your peers and then to get the tick of approval by your coaching staff, is something that is very special to me and something that I'm obviously very proud of but extremely humble about.”

“I think aspirations for any club that's fortunate enough to have won a premiership is obviously to go back-to-back the following season, which isn't always an easy thing to do. So ultimately the goal would be to continue to play some really good footy and make it a consistent season, which will give us every chance to go all the way again.” Davidson said.

Former AFLW listed players Kate Bartlett and Ebony Dowson, along with Whitney Benson, round out the leadership group.

Bartlett, a huge part of the Premiership success in 2020, kicked some clutch goals in massive moments last season and is looking to put together another strong campaign as she tries to get back onto an AFLW list.

Dowson and Benson were both integral parts of a stringent backline last year and look to form another formidable defensive unit despite key losses in the off season of Sarah Verrier and Demi Liddle to the AFLW. 

Round 1 against East Fremantle starts from 1.20pm on Saturday with the new look Rogers Cup side before the Reserves at 3.05pm and finally the 2020 flag will be unfurled before the commencement of the League game. All at David Grays Arena this weekend! Entry is Free!