WAFLW LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

As our WAFLW Program nears the end of their Pre-Season phase, we are incredibly pleased to share our 2026 WAFLW Leadership appointments.

Captain: Hunter Cronin

Vice-Captain: Charlie Vandenberg

Leadership Group: Lauren Vecchio, Ashleigh Gomes, Tara Stribley

Hunter Cronin steps into the role as sole captain after sharing the position last season alongside Lauren Vecchio. Lauren remains an integral part of the leadership group, bringing invaluable experience from her extensive tenure leading the WAWFL/WAFLW program. Recently inducted as South Fremantle’s first female playing Life Member, Lauren’s rare impact on the club continues to grow.

Hunter is an outstanding young leader who demonstrated significant growth and maturity throughout last season. We’re excited to see her continue to evolve in the role and lead the club forward. A Bulldog through and through, Hunter embodies the values of the club and is well placed to help lead the next generation of female talent within our program.

Joining the leadership group this season are Charlie Vandenberg as Vice-Captain, along with Ash Gomes and Tara Stribley as members of the leadership group. Each brings their own strengths, voice and perspective to the role, and all have earned the respect of their teammates through their commitment, standards and influence within the group.

These appointments further strengthen the culture being built across South Fremantle’s female football programs, with the future looking both stable and bright for the club on and off the field.