Women’s News

Round 1 wins secure Paul Doherty Cup

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After many years, the Kiama Power finally secured the Paul Doherty Cup from the Wollongong Bulldogs.

Huge wins in Men’s Premier Division, Men’s Reserve Grade and Women’s Reserve Grade secured the result, as the Cup now returns to it’s rightful place in Kiama.

Men’s Prems 17.11 (113) def. Wollongong Bulldogs 6.7 (43)
Goals: R. Hartwig (4), S. Hammond (2), T. Balding (2), L. Vallence (2), S. Phillips (2), E. Marley, L. Zeschke, E. McGee, R. Walker, F. Ackerley
Best: F. Ackerley, S. Hammond, D. Freeman, W. Stewart, E. Marley, E. McGee

Women’s Prems 0.3 (3) def. by Wollongong Bulldogs 7.9 (51)
Best: T. Keene, J. Quigley, S. Detheridge, E. Doyle, E. Rhodes, C. Richards

Men’s Reserves 7.11 (53) def. Wollongong Bulldogs 5.2 (32)
Goals: M. Whiticker (2), T. Grady, J. Kennedy, G. Hicks, R. Browne, T. Williams
Best: L. Ball, M. Whiticker, J. Andrews, J. Murphy, D. Hopson, K. Hollands

Women’s Reserves 7.13 (55) def. Wollongong Bulldogs 3.0 (18)
Goals: S. Gibson (2), T. Moylan (2), C. Sheldon, P. Mason, C. Smith
Best: A. Freimanis, T. Moylan, L. Kent, P. Mason, E. Waine, G. Pusell

Women’s match report from Googong

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The Kiama Power women’s team claimed a 40-point victory over the 2025 AFL Canberra Community Division One premiers, Googong Hogs, in a pre-season practice match at Rockley Oval last Saturday.

The match is one of two pre-season hit-outs before the Power’s AFL South Coast season officially kicks off on Saturday, April 11 at Keira Oval.

Kiama kicked the first goal of the match through new recruit Sophee Turner, who benefited from the defensive pressure of her teammates further up the field, which earned a free kick for the ball to travel deep inside 50m where Turner made the most of the opportunity.

Six inside-50’s and a goal from midfielder Maddi Aitkin, plus two goals to key forward Courtney Smith, saw the Power take a 19-point lead into the first change as the Power’s back six valliantly defended Googong’s seven inside-50’s whilst only conceding one goal.

New recruit Jazmin Tikkeros put forward a strong case for a Round 1 debut, with her presence in the midfield resulting in a forward-50 entry in the first minute of the second term, allowing Courtney Smith to bag her third goal for the day.

In her first ever game of football, Abby Freimanis performed strongly in the ruck, gifting her midfielders with first-use of the football and taking strong contested marks, with Savamah Detheridge kicking a goal on the back of a Freimanis intercept mark inside-50.

Power head coach Tony Grady said Freimanis played her role well in an impressive outing, alongside a number of new Power players.

“Abby kept getting getter throughout the game, and once she realised she could consistently win the taps, she was serving the footy on a platter for our mids,” Grady said.

“Lara McGee was solid in defense in the first half alongside Emer Perry, and Lara moved forward in the second half and kicked a great goal.”

Second half goals to Lara McGee, Carra Sheldon and Courtney Smith sealed the victory for Kiama, but coach Grady was most pleased with his team’s defensive efforts which held Googong to score only 1.1 in the second half.

“In the third quarter we kept the ball in our forward half for over 13 minutes, which was all on the back of our defensive structure and relentless pressure,” Grady said.

“The girls continued that in the last quarter, not allowing the opposition past halfway until the very last minute. Credit again to our front-half defensive pressure.”

Midfielders Maddie Edwards and Maddi Aitkin were influential in the pre-season hit out, and were superbly supported in the midfield by talented ruck Teneale Keene, junior star Grace Vernon-Rogers and new recruits Siane Fonua and Jazmin Tikkeros.

Another Kiama junior player, Chloe Richards, was constantly a threat from half-back and her pinpoint kicking accuracy allowed the Power to transition the ball from their defensive end with ease. 

Forward Courtney Smith capped the win with a terrific goal in the fourth quarter, her fourth major for the day, to secure the 9.11-65 to 4.1-25 victory. 

KIAMA 9.11-65
GOOGONG 4.1-25

Goals
Kiama: Courtney Smith (4), Carra Sheldon, Maddi Aitkin, Lara McGee, Savanah Detheridge, Sophee Turner

Next week, Kiama will host the Wollongong Bulldogs for an official practice match on Saturday, March 1 at 1.00pm at Bonaira Oval.

O’Leary and Edwards appointed co-captains

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Cassie O’Leary and Maddie Edwards will lead the Kiama Power as co-captains for the 2026 AFL South Coast season.

O’Leary and Edwards’ co-captaincy was announced by women’s senior co-coach Tony Grady to the men’s and women’s playing groups last week.

O’Leary continues as co-captain while Edwards takes on the shared role after arriving in Kiama midway through 2025.

“Cassie and Maddie are really going to be driving those standards at training this season,” co-coach Grady said.

“If you ever need someone to look for, to really get on the back of and follow their example, they’re two perfect people for you to follow.”

Entering the club’s 25th AFL season, O’Leary and Edwards become vital leaders as the Power’s women’s program continues to build with the addition of a reserve grade in 2026.

“Cassie O’Leary has been captain last few years, she’ll play her 100th game for club later this season and become the first woman to reach that milestone,” Grady said.

“She has been since the start (in 2018) and is an absolute pillar of our women’s program, and we couldn’t move forward without her.

“Since joining the club last year, Maddie Edwards has had an immediate impact with her training standards, and her ability to connect with teammates and everyone at the club.

“We’re really luck to have someone like Maddie at the club, who won a player’s player award at VFL level only two or three seasons ago.”

O’Leary and Edwards will head a wider leadership group for 2026, which will be finalised later in the pre-season.

Vallence and Grady named as new women’s co-coaches

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The Kiama Australian Football Club is proud to announce the appointment of Luke Vallence and Tony Grady as its new women’s senior co-coaches.

The duo will become the 10th and 11th senior coaches of the club’s women’s football program, arriving with a wealth of experience both on the field and in the coaches’ box.

Grady’s appointment follows two seasons as the club’s Men’s Reserves coach, whereas Vallence arrived at the club in 2025 and assisted with the women’s program before work duties took him away halfway through the season.

“We are incredibly excited to have Luke and Tony as the new senior co-coaches of our women’s program, as we look to further build and promote an enjoyable and inclusive environment for the women at our club,” club president Dirk Ovenden said.

“Luke brings an abundance of experience from his time playing in Western Australia and in the Navy and Defence Force representative teams. I think it’s safe to say that his knowledge and enthusiasm was greatly welcomed last season.

“Tony has proven in the last two seasons as the reserves coach that he is highly competitive and places a strong focus on connection, which we think will be an asset with the women’s playing group.

“As a football club, we’re delighted to be entering this next chapter with Luke and Tony at the helm.”

Vallence said he was full of excitement to be at the helm of an improving women’s squad.

“Kiama has a rich history, and I feel very humbled to be given this opportunity at the best club I’ve ever been apart of,” Vallence said.

“I can’t wait to get to work with Tony and the playing group, and start building towards 2026.”

After learning the ropes under Sam Hodges in the men’s program, Grady is ready to take charge of the senior women’s team.

“In 2025 we were able to recruit really well and add some returning players to the group, and the potential on the list is absolutely incredible ,” Grady said.

“Val and I firmly believe that we can compete for a flag in Premier Division with the gameplan, structure and environment that we want to build.”

The club is aiming to field two women’s teams in 2026, with the goal of also having a team compete in the women’s reserve grade competition.