The Western Force’s most outstanding 2025 performers will be recognized on Friday night when the Club holds its Season Awards at Optus Stadium, headlined by the Rebecca Clough medal for the best women’s player.
Tickets to the Force-Lions game are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
After a second successive semi-finals appearance for the Force in the SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s, there’s no shortage of contenders to follow in the footsteps of Tamika Jones, Martha Mataela and Samantha Wood.
Five Force players earned Wallaroos selection following the conclusion of the 2025 Super W campaign, thrusting them all – Michaela Leonard, Ashley Marsters, Alapeta Ngauamo, Trilleen Pomare and Cecilia Smith – into contention for the top gong.
On top of that there were plenty of standouts across the season, including back-rowers Anneka Stephens and Tamika Jones, fly-half Grace Freeman and hooker Loretta Mailangi, plus international recruits Pia Tapsell, Mio Yamanaka and Adi Vani Buleki.
Fijian winger Buleki and Wallaroos midfielder Smith scored the equal most tries for the Force with three each. Buleki also had a team-high seven line breaks and 20 tackle breaks, underlining her ability to create an opportunity out of nothing.
Smith, who joined the Force from the Queensland Reds in the off-season, added plenty to the side with her running game, underlined by a team-high 54 carries (second in Super W) and a team-high 464.6 running metres with a team-high nine offloads.
Captain Pomare had a consistent season, contributing in defence and attack with two tries, 13 tackle breaks and 57 tackles, including six dominant tackles.
Powerhouse forward Ashley Marsters had a strong season with four breakdown steals and 30 defensive ruck arrivals.
Wallaroos lock Leonard had a team-high 76 attacking ruck arrivals and a team-high five lineout steals.
Wanneroo back-rower Jones impressed with a team-high 63 tackles, as well as 69 attacking ruck arrivals. Marsters (62), Pomare (57) and Sera Naiqama (51) all were high on the Super W tackling list.
Freeman was a revelation in her maiden season in Force blue, topping the competition for goal kicking accuracy at 91%, scoring 26 points across the campaign.
Stephens suffered a knee injury mid-season but was excellent prior to that with two tries and six breakdown steals, as well as 29 defensive ruck arrivals, showcasing her work rate.
Black Ferns loose forward Tapsell was a major X-factor too, with a team-high 38 defensive ruck arrivals.
Stay tuned to Western Force social media (follow along on Twitter and Instagram) on Friday night to find out all the winners.
Rebecca Clough Medal – Honour Roll
2024 – Samantha Wood
2023 - Martha Mataele
2022 - Tamika Jones
Tickets to the Force-Lions game are on sale now via Ticketmaster.
