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Hear From Our Women's Recruits and Head Coach

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 9:43 AM

Three new recruits have joined our Women's side, all bringing experience and a keen attitude. Hear how they're finding their time at Subi so far and Head Coach Baker gives insight into our Women's pre-season.

 

Charlotte Tompkin

Age: 20

Height: 155cm

Club From: Scarborough JFC and Claremont FC

Experience: Charlotte has played both Rogers Cup and WAFLW for Claremont FC since 2021.

How are you finding preseason?

So far, I'm really enjoying my first preseason at Subi. We've got a great group of girls who bring a postive energy and good vibes to every training session. I'm excited to see how the conncection we've already built will influence our success on field during the season.

What are you most looking forward to?

This upcoming season I am most excited to play alongside a new group of girls, especially some of my best friends. I'm also looking forward to a fresh start, with new coaches who bring experience from the highest level of football. I am eager to see how my skillset can contribute to our team's sucess on and off the field.

What is your goal for the season?

My main goal for the season is to play consistent footy whilst maintaining a postive mindset. By focusing on these two areas, it will help to set me up for a successful season both individually and as a supportive teammate, contributing to the overall success of the team.

Paige Sheppard

Age: 23

Height: 160cm

Club from: Geelong VFLW and Sydney Swans AFLW

Experience: Paige has played three seasons with Sydney Swans after relocating from the Geeling Falcons VFLW side in 2022. She represented Vic Country at the AFL Women's U18 Championships in 2019 and won Best and Fairest for Geelong VLFW in 2022 and placed second in 2021.

How are you finding preseason?

I'm having a slightly different pre-season, I'm currently playing some football in the NTFL (Northern Territory Football League), but I'm lookinng forward to getting to join the group and continuing to put in the hardwork towards the back end of February.

What are you most looking forward to?

I'm really looking forward to starting this new journey in the West. The club has been amazing so far, which makes the move even more exciting but I think what I'm mostly looking forward to is working and getting to know all the girls and hopefully showcasing a strong brand of football together.

What is your goal for the season?

For my individual goals I am to keep growing and developing as a player. I believe moving out West will be a great opportunity for that, as I'll be adapting to a new game plan and style, while also learning to play with a completely new group of players. As for the team, I'm focused on playing the style of football we aim for and, with that, hopefully having a successful season.

Lisa Steane

Age: 30

Height: 166cm

Club from: Giants AFLW and Sydney Swans AFLW

Experience: Lisa was selected by the Giants at the 2019 AFLW draft and played three seasons. In 2022 she made the move to Sydney Swans where she played three seasons.

How are you finding pre-season?

Pre-season running has been tough but great to keep fit and strong ready to get back into footy. It was great to get down and meet the girls this week and they're all looking fit and firing so pre-season is in full swing.

What are you most looking forward to?

I'm most looking forward to getting around the girls, learning from them and the coaches and hopefully making an impact on the field, I'm super keen to get out there and have fun playing footy again.

What is your goal for the season?

My goal for the season is pretty simple, just to play as many games as I can, continue to improve in my footy, and have fun doing it. Also just to get around the girls and be a supportive teammate.

 

Here's what Women's Head Coach Baker Denneman had to say about pre-season so far:

Block 1, prior to Christmas, saw the players dedicate themselves to nearly a month of intense training. This period was all about honing in on the fundamental skills of the game, while also preparing physically and mentally for the inevitable challenges the season will bring. 

The commitment and effort was exceptional, as the team not only strengthened their individual abilities but also laid the groundwork for the broader gameplan moving forward. The hard work during this time set a strong foundation for what was to come over and post the Christmas break. 

Block 2 commenced on the 13th of a January and the players returned with a clear edge, fueled by the conditioning work they put in over the break. Their resilience and focus have placed them in an excellent position to hit the rest of pre-season training. 

The emphasis now is on building on the gameplan elements that showed real promise at the back end of last season, while continuing to challenge the team with new strategies and concepts. The effort, commitment, and progress the players have shown so far have set the stage for an exciting season ahead.