Claremont premiership mentor Jack Schwarze appointed WAFLW State coach for third time

Jack Schwarze hopes third time’s a charm as he leads the WAFLW team for another shot at State game glory against South Australia next month. After leading powerhouse Claremont to consecutive premierships, the club’s third in four years, Schwarze is desperate to add a State victory to his impressive resume. “It’s a privilege once again,” Schwarze said of retaining the role. “We know the past two years we have been almost there but just couldn’t get across the line so I’m grateful to be given a third opportunity to play my role in getting the WAFLW the win over the SANFLW. “ We got a lot right with the program last year from how we selected the team to how we structured the training. “I think selection this year is going to be significantly more challenging to narrow down to a squad, but that shows how strong this comp is and that excites me for what we could achieve this year.” Schwarze said he is confident the WAFLW has the talent to “take the trophy off SA”, even if players get swooped on by AFLW clubs in the pre-season draft on May 4. “I’m getting the feeling early in this WAFLW season that we are going to have some serious headaches putting this team together,” Schwarze said. “But that’s a great problem to have because the depth of players who are in good form and could easily represent at state level is more than previous years. “One of the other challenges is the players who are playing well may get snapped up in the pre-season draft and don’t get the chance to play for us. “But I’m confident in the standard of the WAFLW to be able to produce those players to get drafted while still fielding an incredibly strong state team ready to take the trophy off SA.” The WAFLW will host the SANFL at Sullivan Logistics Stadium in Perth on May 16 as part of a triple-header, which starts with WA’s Under 20s taking on WA’s Under-18s team and will finish with the WAFL State Team taking on the SANFL. The WAFL side will be aiming for back-to-back victories after a drought-breaking win over Adelaide Oval last year, with Peel Thunder coach Adam Read to lead the side, as revealed by The West Australian.