WOMEN’S REPORT

After an interrupted and delayed 2020 season, news of the 2021 WAFLW season being brought forward had the Lions back on the training track shortly after the culmination of the finals series. Aside from adjustments for playing in summer, the new season start date also brought challenges, with League Coach Amy Lavell unable to continue in the role due to her AFLW commitments. The preseason was initially driven by the existing playing group, with feelings still raw from the League Grand Final loss, but were soon joined by a vast number of new faces, particularly in the Rogers Cup age bracket. Lauren Stammers and Pia Faletti again committed to coaching the Reserves and Rogers Cup sides, respectively, and were then joined by new appointments in Michael Farmer (League Coach), Scott Stanton (League Assistant), Jenny Wallace (Reserves Assistant), Bea Devlyn (Strength and Conditioning) and Luke Richardson (Rogers Cup Assistant). Following a sweltering preseason, the season itself proved no different, with the heat policy needing to be enacted for the first few rounds. Unfortunately, this was reflected in a sluggish start by all three grades as an early win in Round 1 from League against South Fremantle was the only success the Club experienced until a win against East Perth in Round 4 from the Rogers Cup. Having not won a game in 2020, the Round four victory was a significant milestone for the Lions Rogers Cup side. Being one of the youngest squads in the 2021 competition meant learning a number of hard lessons against older, more experienced teams, but their tenacity and contested football craft helped them improve tremendously and close the gap on teams from their first encounter to their second. They will be looking to go even better and become a finals contender in season 2022.

Reserves had a difficult year, though their endeavour and intent could not be questioned, a number of significant injuries and inconsistencies within the playing group proved to be too challenging for them to record any victories in 2021. A dedicated core group of senior players will look to galvanise this team to experience the success they deserve, with the inclusion of new talent for the upcoming season. After some significant losses and looking well out of finals contention, the League side did their homework and flipped their season around, storming home with crucial wins against Claremont and Peel to cement their spot in the top four. Unfortunately, Swan Districts were a hurdle they couldn’t overcome late in the season. Despite getting tantalisingly close with one point loss in Round 12 which gave the side confidence to dispatch Claremont in the first week of finals, Swan Districts proved far too strong in the Preliminary Final ending the Lions’ season a week earlier than they would have liked. The League side will take the resilience and grit they proved this season, to strive for greater success in 2022.