Sharks WAFLW Report with Brenton Boddington

Ahead of the 2023 Fixtures we check in with our WAFLW Talent and Operations Manager Brenton Boddington on how pre-season is going.

Q: The club has added some players leading into the 2023 WAFLW season, can you provide some insight on our new recruits?

We have retained the core of our 2022 League list who have been complimented by some new recruits.

Lilli Clark, India Ferrier, Tessa Lynch and Nicola Rutty have all joined us after playing in the PFL last season.   All four players have shown great commitment to our program thus far and have added value to our squad. 

Tara Maciupa and Brooke Repacholi have come into our program having previously played alternate sports.  Both players are working closely with our coaches and are improving their game each week.

Finally, Katelyn Catalano, Chloe Reilly and Katrina Tinson have each experienced injury interrupted seasons but with each of them training consistently over pre-season, all three will act as new recruits in a sense, which is exciting for our 2023 campaign.

Q: Can you give us an injury update?

Marni Alston is recovering from a fracture in her ankle. She’s out of her boot and has begun running.

Georgie Cleaver has a stress reaction in her foot which importantly was picked up before any fractures could develop. Georgie recently had a review with her sports doctor and we’re hopeful she will be available for round one.

Ashleigh Gomes is currently on a modified program to ease the load on her body after a non-stop 15 months of football. With another season on the horizon, our aim is a long-term one to prepare Ash as best we can for the campaign ahead and we’re confident this approach will assist with that.

Laura Catherine is on her way back from tendinopathy in her foot, which is an injury that we will need to be patient with. Laura has been completing her prescribed running at training with our goal ensuring Laura is available to play out the season once she returns.

Hayley O’Donnell is recovering from a nerve entrapment in her shoulder with the plan for her to slowly reintroduce back into training over the coming weeks.

Tiani Teakle landed awkwardly at training pre-xmas leading to fractures and ligament ruptures in her elbow.  She is out of her brace and is currently completing a strengthening program before she is back running. 

Q: Work has finally began on the new facility at the club,  where are you training in 2023?

It’s been great driving past the oval most mornings seeing the progress of the redevelopment knowing what awaits our club once all is complete.  We expect to be back training at East Fremantle Oval later this year in time for our 2024 pre-season.

We have been training at Shelley Park, howeber we are close to confirming our new training venue which will be our base for the remainder of the season and will be central within our district for our players and families.

Q: Has there been any changes to the coaching panel?

Steph Walding is our WAFLW League coach for the 2023 Season.  Steph led our midfield group last year and has experience coaching at this level previously so the transition has been relatively seamless.  Over the course of pre-season, Steph’s ability to bring her strengths to our program and impart her knowledge and philosophies has become increasingly evident.

Alex Williams is our forwards coach having coached our Youth Girls Rogers Cup side last year while Damian Hodge will continue as our backs coach for the upcoming season.

We are yet to appoint a midfield coach for 2023 however a decision is imminent.  Mark Murphy is our Senior Development Coach with a focus on fast tracking the development of the playing list in particular our first year players at the club and those under 20.     

Q: East Fremantle went down in last year’s grand final after an unblemished home and away season.  What is the expectation heading into 2023?

We made the point in the off-season that there were many positive takeaways from the 2022 season and to build on the foundations that were set.  In saying that, we recognise that we need to continue to find ways to improve in as many facets of our program that we can.

The competition evolves each season and we need to ensure we are no different.

The expectation is that everyone in our program has a part to play in this as we strive to be a side that is challenging each season.      

Brenton Boddington - WAFLW Talent and Operations 

*images Pixell Photography