WAFLW Sharks Seek Redemption

New East Fremantle WAFLW coach Steph Walding isn’t planning on implementing drastic on field changes in 2023.

The Sharks finished last year with a record of 15 wins and one loss, but that one defeat came in the Grand Final against Claremont in a shock result.

The departure of WAFLW Coach of the Year Matt Templeton to the Fremantle Dockers has opened the way for Walding to take the top job.

“I'm really familiar with the group so the step up has been pretty smooth so far.

There's obviously a lot of extra responsibilities and planning involved but that's a part of football I really enjoy so it's been nice.

I've got really good support around me in terms of assistants so they allow me to focus on what's important,” Walding said.

After enjoying a dominant season in 2022 under Templeton, any changes will be minor.

“If anything, we'll just look to build on what Matt did last year.

I'm the 4th coach in 4 seasons at the club so I'll be looking to provide some consistency and stability for the players in terms of the game plan but I'll still put my spin on things.

We finished two goals off a Premiership so I'd be crazy to try and move away from what Matt was doing.

We'll play a similar style, but we're looking to take it up a few notches and add some extra strings to our bow to enable us to continue to improve and stay in the Premiership hunt,” she said.

The majority of the side from last year has been retained, with several new faces trying to break into the squad during pre-season.

“Our biggest inclusions might come from our Youth Girls Squad.

The likes of Maya Louvell-Finn and Caylen Crook will be knocking on the door for a league debut.

Young Madi Evans has also had a great pre-season, and when you add some recruits from the Amateurs the depth of the squad is fantastic,” Walding said.

Among those departing include Alex Williams, who’ll join Walding’s coaching staff, while Torrie Revel has moved to Kalgoorlie for work and Kate Inglis-Hodge is taking time away from the game, robbing the team of quality leaders.

Walding has nothing but praise for the way the squad has handled the summer workload.

“The group has gone to another level since we returned to training in January and the competition is really on for positions come round one.”

A Grand Final re-match is on the radar for everyone at Shark Park.

“It was definitely a disappointing way to finish what was otherwise a great season in 2022.

The players don't openly say it’s driving them but I’m sure it's in the back of their minds.

The positive is if we drop a game in the home and away season the players know it's not the end of the world, and it might actually relieve some pressure and allow us to work harder.

Playing Claremont in Round one will be a great contest and I’ll be glad to get that one out of the way nice and early,” Walding said.

Mark Readings - WAFC