WAFLW RD 16 REVIEW

WAFLW

The last round of the year saw the WAFLW take on East Fremantle who had to win to secure a spot in the Finals.  The girls were keen for a big game and the excitement was high to celebrate two of the legends of our club and key players in WAFLW, Kira Phillips who played her 150^th Peel senior game and Krystal Carter in her 100^th Peel senior game.  

Kira has been one of the most dominant forwards in female football over her career and has won numerous leading goal-kicking awards not only at club level but for the whole competition. She was a key player in both Grand Final victories and a great mentor to the younger forwards coming through.

 Krystal gives everything to the club and more and leads by example.  She is getting better with age and gets everything and more out of her body.  Krystal was one of the key reasons for the club's success after the 2019 season and went on to be co-captain in the 2020 premiership.  She is the heart and soul of the team and leads from the front.

Unfortunately, East Fremantle was too strong over the whole field all day. While we tried hard and moved players around, the experience and hunger was too much for us and we were unable to get the ball forward with only 8 inside 50’s for the game. East Fremantle with a dominant performance ran out strong winners in the last quarter 8-10 to 0.0.

That draws an end to our WAFLW campaign for season 2023 and while it wasn’t the results we wanted on the field, mainly due to injuries, player availability and our draft targets not committing to the club. There has been plenty of success along the way.  With Chloe Wrigley being drafted in the mid-season AFLW draft, we won the Madi Molloy cup in round one, Ebony “Chippy” Dowson become the first ever Peel Thunder player to play 150 league games, Kira Phillips played her 150^th senior game, Krystal Crater plyer her 100^th Senior game,  Ebony Bilcich and Stephen Markham played/coached their 50^th WAFLW game. Most impressively we have debuted 14 players in WAFLW and that experience will be invaluable going forward.

I would like to thank all the staff across the program who gave everything we asked for the year.  Thanks to the players for their commitment and efforts over the season.  We have an amazing group at Peel and will quickly bounce back to being a force in WAFLW.

Thank you to all the sponsors and supporters who turned up and supported the girls, it is really appreciated.

Best players: Evie Cowcher, Ebony Dowson, Abby Barnden, Greta McKinley, Dakota Sexton

ROGERS CUP

Fine conditions at Lane Group Stadium belied a slippery and sodden surface with many players losing their feet during the game.  We started well beating East Fremantle for forward entries in the first quarter but failed to capitalise with poor goal-kicking. The second and third quarters were an entertaining struggle with both teams moving the ball well and both defences on top. Two quick goals late in the third had us within striking distance at the last change. We threw everything at them fourth quarter, even a miraculous goal, but it wasn’t enough. 

In my last 5 years coaching at Peel I have had a wonderful time and worked with some truly amazing coaches, volunteers, players and parents.  It is time for a change of Rogers coach and time for me to enjoy some full weekends. Go well and “Go Peel Thunder!!” 

Goals: Lucy Kane 2, Charlotte Beard, Nakia Jilley, Jade Bell 1

Best Players: Ava Cristodero, Tessa Kongras, Lara Thomas, Sofia Fitzpatrick, Ava Jean Rowley.