It was another breakthrough year for Williamstown despite its eventual finals disappointment, with the Seagulls claiming their maiden rebel VFLW minor premiership in the club’s 160th season.
BY THE NUMBERS
Position: 3rd (minor premiers)
W-L-D %: 11-4-2 (151.98%)
Players used: 33
Played every match: 5 – India Barker, Emily Eaves, Lori Stepnell, Sharnie Whiting, Megan Williamson
AFLW players used: 0
Debutants: 7 – Laura Blue, Mia D’Agostino, Kiera Leare, Amelia Marino, Cat O’Bryan, Megan Smart, Ella Tyson
STAR PERFORMERS
Best and Fairest: =1st: Emily Eaves and Megan Williamson, 3rd: Ashlee Thorneycroft, 4th: Zoe Day, 5th: Lori Stepnell
Lambert-Pearce Medal votes: Emily Eaves (12), Eliza Straford (10), Ash Thorneycroft (10)
Coaches MVP votes: Emily Eaves (48), Ash Thorneycroft (37), Sharnie Whiting (26), Megan Williamson (26)
Rebel VFLW Team of the Year: Lori Stepnell, Eliza Straford (captain), Sharnie Whiting
Leading Goalkickers: Sharnie Whiting (25), Molly Simpson (15), Eliza Straford (14)
STAT LEADERS
(Averages – Minimum 6 matches)
Disposals: Ash Thorneycroft 16.1, Megan Williamson 13.1, Emily Eaves 13.1
Contested possessions: Emily Eaves 9.9, Ash Thorneycroft 8.9, Cat O’Bryan 8.2
Kicks: Ash Thorneycroft 13.2, Megan Williamson 11.2, Sharnie Whiting 9.1
Handballs: Emily Eaves 5.0, Eliza Straford 4.1, Lori Stepnell 3.9
Marks: Sharnie Whiting 2.9, Lori Stepnell 2.6, Neve Crowley 2.3
Tackles: Ash Thorneycroft 9.2, Megan Williamson 7.0, Emily Eaves 6.5
Hitouts: Cat O’Bryan 21.8, Chloe Bain 10.8, Neve Crowley 5.1
Clearances: Cat O’Bryan 5.2, Emily Eaves 4.9, Ash Thorneycroft 4.2, Megan Williamson 4.2
Inside-50s: Megan Williamson 3.6, Eliza Straford 2.9, Emily Eaves 2.4, India Barker 2.4
Rebound-50s: Gabby Biedenweg-Webster 3.9, Lori Stepnell 3.6, Sharnie Whiting 1.9, Eloise Freeman 1.9
What went right: After getting a taste of finals action for the first time in 2023, the Seagulls went to the next level this year. They soured to their maiden minor premiership in the club’s 160th season following a remarkable run of 10 wins and a draw in 11 matches, which included eight victories in a row. The run included the scalps of both the eventual Grand Finalists and well and truly earned their lofty perch. Gabby Biedenweg-Webster’s form in defence earned her a second AFLW contract with Fremantle. Sharnie Whiting is a star.
What went wrong: It was a scratchy start to the year with a 1-2-1 record after four games, but that was long forgotten by the time the business end of the season rolled around. The positive to their long-term profile of having Biedenweg-Webster picked up for a second time was also a crippling blow to their 2024 chances as they could not stop North Melbourne or the Western Bulldogs getting a run-on in the semi and preliminary finals. Losing skipper and Team of the Year captain Eliza Straford to a knee injury in the qualifying final was the tipping point.
Summary: Another breakthrough year for Williamstown despite the finals disappointment – and the Seagulls will learn and grow from that as they did following their maiden 2023 finals experience. Cat O’Bryan was a surprise packet in her debut VFLW season at the age of 41 and Ash Thorneycroft starred again at 34, with their efforts no doubt inspiring their younger teammates such as Emily Eaves and Megan Williamson. Inaccuracy is something they will want to work on, going at less than 50 per cent for the season.
Grade: 8/10
2024 REBEL VFL REVIEWS
Port Melbourne
Box Hill Hawks
Essendon
Collingwood
Casey Demons
Carlton
Darebin Falcons
Southern Saints
Geelong Cats
GWS Giants
Sydney Swans