Photographer Kel Rowe was on the boundary again for Siren Sport in Season 10 of the AFLW. Take a look back at the season that was through her lens.
It’s been a few weeks since the Big Dance, and after a fantastic conclusion to the tenth season of the AFLW, our favourite players are revelling in a well-deserved offseason. To combat the post-footy blues, I’ve taken a look back at some of my favourite moments — snapped from the boundary during Season 10!
First goal feels: Poppy Scholz is mobbed by her teammates from across the ground after kicking her first AFLW goal on debut in Round 1 of Season 10 of the AFLW.
Scholz kicked Carlton’s opener against the Roos in Round 6, after a switch-up in the magnets saw the young defender swung forward.
The draft class of Season 10 will likely go down as a super group in AFLW draft history, with many young players making blisteringly impressive appearances across the season. In Round 1, Carlton debuted Poppy Scholz, a tall defender the club drafted at pick number 6. As a Blues fan, I was already excited by the new draftees, so to have the opportunity to snap them in full flight on opening night was a real treat! And sure enough, in the second quarter, Scholz got her first look at goals.
After beating experienced Pie, Brit Bonnici in a marking contest, the new Blue was on the receiving end of a frustrated shove and awarded a 50m penalty. When the ball sailed through the big sticks with clear accuracy, Scholz’ teammates scrambled from all across the ground to celebrate, and I whooped with joy, holding down the shutter button on my camera. It’s by no means a perfect shot, but there is just something utterly joyful about that small window into the huddle around Scholz — the euphoria on her face framed perfectly by a passing Collingwood player.
Locked in: Elli Symonds looks to the skyward ball, locked arm-in-arm in contest with Western Bulldogs ruck Alice Edmonds.
Often, my chosen seat on the boundary sees play bring the game directly to me, and the resulting shots make it feel like you are right amongst the action. In Round 3, Hawthorn debutant Elli Symonds was set the tall task of tussling with in-form Bulldog Alice Edmonds, this snap marking one of many stoppages playing out in front of my spot on the fence.
Equal and opposite forces: North Melbourne’s Taylah Gatt corrals Collingwood midfielder Brit Bonnici during their Round 4 match on the pristine deck of Arden Street.
In sports photography, timing IS everything, as the photo above shows. I knew when I shot this interaction that it was going to be good, Brit Bonnici is always energetic with ball in hand. But imagine my surprise (and amusement) when I quickly reviewed the image on camera, with both players caught at the perfect moment as Bonnici prepares for a signature fend off — you could almost draw a dinner table between them!
Dressing up and fronting up: Hands on hips, the stoic Roos mascot stands tall in the face of an old Navy Blue enemy on home turf.
No doubt about it, club mascots will always make me laugh — they definitely have a license for mischief. This snap captured a light moment of pre-game brevity, where a cheeky Kanga stared down Carlton as they made their way onto the ground at Arden Street before the Round 6 game.
A captain’s contemplation:Tigers’ skipper Katie Brennan walks up the race, her face set in a look of steely determination.
One of my favourite photos to take is the moment a captain leads their team out of the race and onto the ground. Ikon Park provides a good setup — the away team’s race literally rises out of the ground — giving the players a brief moment of contemplation before the noise of the crowd breaks into their gameday focus.
This particular shot shows Richmond captain Katie Brennan in that very moment, flanked by teammate and Tigers star Mon Conti, as they head out to face the Adelaide Crows. At this point, after a luckless season, the Tigers hadn’t won a single game. Many in the crowd assumed their Round 9 match would add to that streak, but Richmond had other ideas. Down by 11 points at halftime, the team were able to claim victory by the same margin at the final siren; the Crows simply stunned by the Tigers’ ambush.
A masterpiece of pride and celebration: a boundary umpire prepares to throw the 2025 Pride Sherrin into play during Round 9.
Gotta give this ball a moment all of its own. A stunning piece of pride, history and celebration, designed by legendary inaugural of the game Darcy Vescio. 10/10, no notes.
A tonne for Tahls: North Melbourne’s Tahlia Randall plays her 100th AFLW game, celebrated by friends and family, including Hawthorn player Kaitlyn Ashmore.
In Season 10 the major milestones came thick and fast and saw some of the inaugurals celebrate their 100th game of AFLW. The Round 10 match between North Melbourne and Adelaide saw Tahlia Randall become just the fifth player to reach such a significant milestone. I love the way that player’s milestones are celebrated in the W, with banners, homemade signs, and the inclusion of fans and friends alike.
Sharing the limelight with fellow Roo Tess Craven (50 games), Randall also marked the occasion by kicking her 75th career goal, contributing to a 40-point win over the Crows.
Aerial giants: Bomber Steph Wales and Hawk Mack Eardley reach for a skyward Sherrin in Round 11; whilst Suns ruck Lauren Bella meets Tiger Paige Scott in the air, searching for a clean tap down to her teammates during Round 12.
There is simply nothing I love more than capturing the athleticism and energy of a ruck contest. While playing the role at local level might mean I’m a touch biased; I’ve always thought that there was a beautiful parallel between these athletes in motion and the dynamism of Renaissance paintings.
Think the expressive physicality and sense of awe instilled by Michelangelo or the chiaroscuro of a Caravaggio — these modern Renaissance women work hard to delight fans with their incredible strength and aerial skills across the field.
The Daisy Effect: Pearce, grinning widely, stands with her West Coast side as they prepare for a historic first finals appearance.
A lot has been said about the ‘Daisy Effect’ and it’s easy to see why — after just two years at the helm as coach, Pearce guided the West Coast squad to their first finals appearance in Season 10.
Not even a miserable, wet Melbourne day could dampen the smile on Pearce’s face as she stood with her team for the pregame welcome. When I saw the framing of it, between two blues, I knew it wasn’t a shot to miss. While the result ultimately went the way of Carlton, an exciting future certainly lies ahead for Dais and her plucky Eagles.
Back-to-back baby: The North Melbourne celebrate with their silverware on the presentation stage following their 40-point win over the Brisbane Lions in the 2025 AFLW Grand Final.
Of course, it’s hard to go past the story of the season and a snap of its culmination. The indomitable Roos notched up a clean sweep of the season — amassing a streak of 27 wins and claiming back-to-back premierships.
Shooting a Grand Final is such an exciting prospect — it’s a star-studded show, building to a crescendo over three parts. My favourite moments are always in the third act, when the medals have been presented and the winning team are celebrating with family and friends in amongst club-coloured confetti.
As for me, after such an epic season, it’s time to unpack the camera bag, and charge my batteries (both literally AND metaphorically). See you on the boundary in 2026!