Co-captain the first to reach 100 WAFLW games

Swan Districts co-captain Eliza Gelmi happily calls the club her second home and now is rightfully proud to be the first player to reach 100 WAFL Women’s games for the team but as always, her focus is not on herself as another finals series approaches.

Gelmi has spent her football life at Bassendean and as a result Steel Blue Oval feels just as much like home as anywhere for her and it’s only fitting that it will be a home game this Saturday for her to celebrate a significant milestone.

Gelmi first played with Swan Districts back in 2013 when still a teenager in what was then the WA Women’s Football League and enjoyed being part of premiership success too, and was there when the league transformed into the WAFLW competition as of 2019.

She has been a mainstay of the defensive unit ever since, has stepped up now in recent years as co-captain alongside Demi Liddle and now this Saturday will see her reach another significant mark.

While having played over 150 games all up with Swan Districts across the two competitions, Gelmi will reach 100 games solely in the WAFLW this Saturday and become the first player for the Swans to do so in the process.

It’s only fitting that the game will be at home at Steel Blue Oval with Swan Districts hosting Peel Thunder and she is rightfully proud of the achievement.

“I’m incredibly grateful,” Gelmi said.

“To have played 100 games in the black and white in such a competitive competition means a lot.

“There’s never any guarantee you’ll get to run out the next week with injuries and everything that comes with footy and life, so I’m really thankful for every opportunity I’ve had to pull on the Swans jumper.”

Having a chance to reflect

As any defender will tell you, they don’t always get the recognition as some of their big ball winning or goal kicking teammates do, but Gelmi is proud to now book her place in history as the first Swan Districts player to reach 100 games since the WAFLW competition started back in 2019.

Now she will just be holding her breath over the next 48 hours that she holds her place in the selected side with places getting increasingly hard to come by as finals approach.

But overall, it does provide her with the chance to reflect a little on the people she’s shared the journey with and then those that have always been there to support her to make it happen.

“Reaching this milestone doesn’t happen without the support of so many people,” Gelmi said.

“My teammates and the coaches involved in my journey have all played a huge part, and I’ve been lucky enough to share the field with so many great people for majority of those 100 games, like Em McGuire.

“I’m grateful for my family. My partner and my mum have probably attended 98 per cent of those 100 games.

“I’ll always think about my dad as well. He was the reason I started playing footy. Because of him I’ve been able to play the game I love, represent a club like this and make unforgettable memories.”

Calling Swans a second home

Given Gelmi has been playing with Swans since 2013 now and it’s where she has done so much of her growing up and then where she has spent her entire football journey, it’s only natural she feels so at home at the club and that it means so much to her.

“I’ve called this club my second home countless times, and I know a lot of the girls feel the same,” Gelmi said.

“No matter how many seasons I have left, I’ll always have a deep connection to this club. I’m so thankful for everything it’s given me and the support I’ve received over the years.:

How well this season is going

Swan Districts made a remarkable run to the Grand Final last year in the WAFLW and then took the challenge right up to Claremont only to fall heartbreaking short by one solitary point.

Now on the back of that, Swans have taken things to a whole new level so far in 2026 to currently sit in top spot with a 12-2 record to be percentage clear of Claremont but also with a game in hand.

Gelmi couldn’t be happier with how the team has performed all season so far, but knows they can’t be happy or content yet.

“I’m so proud of what this group is achieving and what we’re continuing to build,” Gelmi said.

“We spoke about coming back hungrier and stronger this year, and we’ve done that. But the job is not finished.

“Our focus has been putting in the work to earn every inch, and we want to carry that right through to the end of the season.”

What’s working so well in 2026

While the talent is there, the game plan is in place and everything is clicking from that point of view for Swans to be so well placed now as finals approach in 2026, Gelmi feels ultimately that extra one per cent comes from the drive from the pain they suffered last year.

Until you actually experience what it feels like to lose a Grand Final by one-point, you can’t appreciate what motivation it can then provide the following season and that’s exactly what she feels has happened.

“This group has continued to grow both as footballers and as people. I think our drive has been the biggest difference,” Gelmi said.

“We got so close last year, and that left us wanting more. When we all play our roles and work for each other, we are unstoppable. We’re excited for what’s ahead as we head into finals.”

The brilliant season of Jaime Henry

Not only Swan Districts having a standout season as a team in 2026 to be in top spot, but Jaime Henry might very well be having the best individual season there has been in the WAFLW so far.

The prolific midfielder is averaging a phenomenal 33.7 possessions a game including setting a record with 51 disposals back in Round 12 against South Fremantle.

She would have to be the raging favourite to win the Dhara Kerr Medal and as her teammate and captain, Gelmi knows she deserves whatever success she has because of the work she’s put in.

“Discipline, work rate and consistency,” Gelmi said.

“Jaime is the perfect example of what happens when you put the work in. She’s earned everything that’s coming her way, and it’s showing with the season she’s having.

“I’m really excited to see what she does next.”