The Peel Thunderbirds’ league side remained on top of the WA Women’s Football League ladder while the reserves and youth girls sit in second after huge wins over East Perth across all grades on the weekend.
The league side welcomed back young star Kate Bartlett who produced an emphatic five goals, helping the Thunderbirds to their largest score in history and a 23.13 (151) to 2.1 (13) thumping of the Royals.
Peel booted five goals in each of the opening two quarters to storm to a 57-point lead at the main break.
They continued to pile on the pain in the second half, adding 13 goals to their tally to finish 138-point winners.
The Thunderbirds accumulated 10 different goal scorers in the victory, six of which finished with more than one.
Peel coach Mark Fenton praised his side’s efficiency in the second half.
“I was really happy with our performance, particularly in the last two quarters,” he said.
“I think we transitioned well and were very good in front of goals, and it was a record score which is always encouraging.”
Unfortunately, a broken hand to Peel’s AFL star Kira Phillips made the day bittersweet for the Thunderbirds.
The Fremantle forward is expected to miss between four and six weeks.
Fenton acknowledged the loss of the Fremantle forward would hurt, but said his side would be ready for their next challenge.
“Obviously its a big loss for us, it’s hard to replace someone like Kira,” he said.
“But we have a lot of good players ready to come back into the side that we think can stand up for us.”
The reserves were able to claim a 104-point win over East Perth, cruising from start to finish to carve out a 16.15 (111) to 1.1 (7) scoreline.
Krystie Bland finished with a game-high four goals while Alicia Ayton, Anyssa Hardy and Anne Tosi all pitched in with two.
The youth girls rolled through the Royals’ outfit with an 11.9 (75) to 0.4 (4) demolition.
Ava Muir booted four goals to lead all scorers as the side kept their hold on second spot.
Next week the Thunderbirds travel to take on East Fremantle in what looms as the league team’s biggest test so far.
“We will get a pretty good idea of how strong our side is over the next three weeks,” Fenton said.
“We’ve got East Freo, Swan Districts and Coastal Titans, who are all really good sides, in that stretch.
“It will be a good test for us.”