Quaife’s Burgeoning Football and Law Career

Lauren Quaife continues to lead the ruck for Swan Districts already a WAFL Women’s dual premiership player on top of now about to be admitted as a lawyer and she is excited for another chance at State football in a couple of weeks.

Quaife joined Swan Districts back in 2023 and already had played in two WAFL Women’s premierships at Peel Thunder and has only continued to go from strength to strength in a black-and-white jumper.

Quaife has now added 32 games at Swans to the 47 she previously played with Peel cementing herself as the leading ruck in the WAFL Women’s competition.

On the back of that, she was part of history last year when selected in the Western Australia team that played South Australia in the first ever women’s state game that was held at Optus Stadium.

There will be a return encounter on Saturday May 3 at Adelaide Oval with Quaife named in the initial WAFLW squad and looking a strong chance to play once again with her early season form at Swan Districts even if it was a somewhat surprise to herself.

“Selection in the state squad came as a surprise this year,” Quaife said.

“After not being selected in the All Stars WAFLW team I didn’t think I’d be selected so it was a happy surprise.

“The opportunity to travel to Adelaide is very exciting as my final year in State 18s was during Covid-19 so I never got the chance to travel with WA. I’m really looking forward (if selected) to make bonds with players from other teams and represent WA.”

Looking back on last year and Quaife acquitted herself strongly in the state game against the SANFLW where she had 16 hit outs and being part of the first ever clash is something she’ll always be proud of.

“It was really special to be a part of the first WAFLW state game at Optus,” she said.

“There were definitely lots of nerves as the SA ruck won their B&F the year prior so I was expecting a hard and challenging game. Getting the chance to put on a WA jumper as an older player is always an exciting opportunity.”

As for the WAFL Women’s season so far at Swan Districts, it was a first up win against East Perth before the Round 2 bye and then a loss last Saturday in the home opener against Subiaco at Steel Blue Oval.

Quaife has performed strongly in both encounters averaging 10 possessions and 18.5 hit outs in them but it’s team success she is more worried about and is looking for a bounce back performance against Peel this Saturday at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah.

“We had a really great preseason, the team feels more connected than this time last year which is a really exciting feeling,” Quaife said.

“I think we potentially underestimated Subiaco and the impact having a bye in Round 2 would have.

“We all know we could have played better and collectively don’t want to feel as bad as we did following the game. I feel confident in our strengths and team to make top four and really challenge this year.”

Having grown up in the south-west of WA in Australind and then firstly starting her football journey at Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault, it was only natural for Quaife to begin her WAFL Women’s time with Peel.

She would go on to play in the 2020 and 2021 premierships with the Thunder, but to continue her studies it meant a move up to Perth and also a change in football clubs with Swan Districts soon becoming her preferred destination.

“Peel was where I started my WAFLW journey and I am very grateful for the four years I had there,” Quaife said.

“I am from Australind so Peel was the best option going through high school and playing WAFLW and part of my zone with HBL. I don’t know how some of our Bunbury girls cope with traveling to Perth on school nights for footy and back – I have a lot of respect to their commitment.

“I made the switch because I moved up to Perth for University and found it very draining and time consuming traveling from North Perth to Mandurah and back multiple times a week when other clubs were a lot closer.

“Adam Dancey reached out after coaching me at Peel in 2019 to come to Swans in 2023 and I haven’t looked back. The girls welcomed me with open arms and I have found my new home. But I am looking forward to a catch up with some old team mates this week in Mandurah for Round 4.

Quaife has nothing but fond memories of her time with Peel even if that does go out the window on occasions like this Saturday when she takes on her form team.

However, the memories of those back-to-back premierships will last a lifetime and is something she’ll forever treasure.

“Winning back-to-back premierships in 2020 and 2021 is definitely a highlight of my footy so far,” she said.

“2020 was an underdog story during Covid and 2021 both the Ressies and League came out winners. The winning was great but being 19 and 20 at the time and celebrating was definitely the most enjoyable!

“I was sent that they have added the girls names to the men’s lockers with the premiership cups and I’m on locker 32 which is special to be part of.”

Quaife’s football story is enough on its own but away from the field and she is putting together quite the impressive career that she has worked hard to become qualified for.

She is about to become admitted as a lawyer later this year while already currently working full-time at a personal injury firm. Even though it’s not always easy to juggle with football, she’s grateful to coach Jason Burton for his flexibility.

“I graduated with a double degree in Law and Commerce in 2024 and I am doing my practical legal training (‘PLT’) now expecting to be admitted as a lawyer in August this year,” Quaife said.

“I work full time in personal injury at the moment which is rewarding and fast paced but also mentally demanding at times.

“Jason has been great with his flexibility and supporting my work and studies. There are training sessions I am quite late to having to come from the city and sessions I’ve had to miss for my PLT.

“The girls are great and can gauge if I’ve had a rough day and always know how to lift my mood. Footy has been really good to take a break from the serious side of things and get to be myself and have a laugh and run around with my mates which has made the balancing worth it.”