GNFLW 2026 season preview: Chapman Valley poised, ready to defend crown as season kicks off this weekend

The women are ready to write a new chapter of their league’s story as the Community Bank Geraldton GNFL women’s competition returns to Mid West footy fields this weekend. Chapman Valley head into the women’s ninth season as the hunted after a sensational season where they went unbeaten and notched up a whopping percentage of 4069.23. Their dominance was challenged only by grand finalists Towns — getting within three points of the Royals back in round nine, their closest margin of the season. Valley’s group of core players has stuck together, with only one major out — East Fremantle grand final best on ground player Eva Campo, who has returned to Perth after a 12-month medical placement in Geraldton. After appearing in all but one of the GNFLW women’s grand finals, you can expect to see Valley back contending in September. Towns looks set to challenge again, having also retained several players in last year’s grand final squad with hopes of knocking the Royals off their throne in 2026. Olivia Bidwell, after winning her third GNWFL women’s best and fairest medal, looks ready to go again this season. She shared this honour with Northampton’s Mikenna Schultz in 2025. Expect Sharntay Westberg and Jess Giudice-Nairn to hit the scoreboard again after finishing top four in the leading goal-scorers count. The Bulldogs have the potential to win the premiership, having toppled Valley in 2024 for their first flag. With a consistent playing list and demonstrated ability to challenge Valley, don’t discount Towns this season. Brigades also have September on their mind after finishing third last year and progressing through to the preliminary final, before falling to Towns. After three seasons at Brigades, Emily Peel — who is one of Brigade’s top players — has moved to Perth and will play for Wembley in the Perth Football League. With three flags in the competition’s history, Brigades know what it takes to go all the way, they’ll just need to find that grit to overcome last year’s contenders. At The Recreation Ground, Railways are looking to continue building, with sights set on going deeper into September after bowing out in week one of finals against Brigades. Co-captains Hanna Dethlefsen and Geneva Johansen will be at the helm again this season, and will play key roles in helping lift Railways from fourth on the ladder. The duo received the most best-player nominations in 2025, and will continue leading from the front on field. With three wins last season Northampton have sights set on the top four, and certainly have the talent on their list to make a tilt for it — falling one game short last year. Mikenna Schultz finished equal-best-and-fairest with Towns’ Bidwell, but has moved to Perth and will play for Trinity Aquinas in the PFL in a huge blow to the Rams. However, Selina Kiddle who finished top-five in the goal-scorers tally will stick around, and looked in fine touch after scoring four in the All Stars clash. Rovers are still chasing their maiden finals appearance, and will hope this year will be their breakthrough year. Nadine Ryan is back for another season after topping Rovers for their best player votes, but top goal scorer Leanne Mott has made the jump to Railways, leaving Rovers with a gap to fill in their goal-scoring stocks. Last year, they equalled 2024 with two wins for the season — their equal best season finish since joining the competition in 2019, and Rovers will hope to build on this in 2026. The women’s season kicks off this weekend at the Recreation Ground, with Railways hosting reigning premiers Chapman Valley starting at 1pm. For a full preview of the women’s GNFL season, check out next Friday’s edition of the Geraldton Guardian.