McGrath Crowned Premier Cricket's Best

McGrath polled 20 votes to finish two votes clear of Subiaco-Floreat’s Jacqueline Naidoo (18) and eight ahead of Midland-Guildford’s Shay Manolini (16). Naomi Dattani (Midland-Guildford, 11 votes) and Bhavisha Devchand (Wanneroo, 11 votes) rounded out the top five.

She becomes the ninth winner of the highest honour in Female Premier Cricket, joining the likes of current WA Women’s players Amy Edgar, Mathilda Carmichael, and Bhavi Devchand, who took out the medal last season.

The 20-year-old produced a consistent campaign in her first season as captain of club side Melville, finishing with 265 runs at 37.86 and 19 wickets at 11.79 during the A-Grade One-Day competition and 185 runs at 37 and 11 wickets at 7.55 in the 20-over format. 

Across all formats, McGrath tallied four half-centuries, including a highest score of 80 in a dominant victory over South Perth.

Always regarded as a player capable of representing WA at Women National Cricket League (WNCL) level, McGrath’s form was rewarded with a senior debut against Queensland in October.

The allrounder managed to maintain her position in the side, playing a variety of roles during her six matches in 2024-25.

McGrath was also named in the 2024-25 WA Premier Cricket Female Team of the season and took out the Female One-Day Champion Player and Bowling Aggregate awards in a superb all-round season. 

Other notable inclusions in the Team of the Year include state-contracted pair Shay Manolini (Midland-Guildford) and Bhavisha Devchand (Wanneroo), while former Karen Read Medallist Rebecca West was recognised for her productive campaign for South Perth.

Wanneroo’s Tegan Williamson was named as the Clare Papasergio Award recipient for 2024-25, with the award recognising the most outstanding player in Female A Grade cricket who also represented WA in the 2024-25 Cricket Australia Under 19s National Championships.

The 16-year-old allrounder made her A Grade debut during the summer playing four matches and also represented WA across U17s and U19s level. Her on-field performances were recognised with selection in Australia’s U19 World Cup team, where she played each of the five matches during the tournament. 

Subiaco-Floreat were the major winners of the evening, taking home the Female Club Championship after claiming the A Grade One-Day and T20 Premierships.

2024-25 Karen Read Medal Leaderboard 
Winner – Rebecca McGrath (Melville) – 20 Votes 
Runner-Up – Jacqueline Naidoo (Subiaco-Floreat) – 18 Votes    
Third – Shay Manolini (Midland-Guildford) – 12 Votes 
Fourth – Naomi Dattani (Midland-Guildford) – 11 Votes 
Fifth – Bhavisha Devchand (Wanneroo)- 11 Votes 

2024-25 WA Premier Cricket Female Team of the Year 
1. Jess Row (Melville) 
2. Lottie Aird (Subiaco-Floreat) 
3. Bhavisha Devchand (Wanneroo) 
4. Jacqueline Naidoo (Subiaco-Floreat) 
5. Emma Davidson (Perth) 
6. Rebecca West (South Perth)- Allrounder 
7. Emma -Lee Hammond (Rockingham-Mandurah) - Wicketkeeper 
8. Rebecca McGrath (Melville) 
9. Jesscia Bradley (Rockingham-Mandurah)  
10. Megan McColl (Subiaco-Floreat)  
11. Shay Manolini (Midland-Guildford) 
12. Lily Wood (Rockingham-Mandurah)

Award Winners

Female A Grade T20 Batting Aggregate: Jacqueline Naidoo (Subiaco-Floreat) – 240 @ 40 
Female A Grade T20 Batting Average: Bhavisha Devchand (Wanneroo) – 237 @ 47.40 
Female A Grade T20 Bowling Aggregate: Jessica Emery (Subiaco-Floreat) – 12 wickets @ 9.75
Female A Grade T20 Bowling Average: Makayla Hendry (Melville) – 6 wickets @ 3.67 
Female A Grade T20 Champion Player: Jacqueline Naidoo (Subiaco-Floreat) – 240 runs @ 40 and 8 wickets @ 20.13

Female B Grade T20 Batting Aggregate: Jess Row (Melville) – 282 @ 56.40 
Female B Grade T20 Batting Average: Jess Row (Melville) – 282 @ 56.40 
Female B Grade T20 Bowling Aggregate: Melissa Bownes (Melville) – 13 wickets @ 12.62  
Female B Grade T20 Bowling Average: Lottie Aird (Subiaco-Floreat) – 5 wickets @ 6.20  
Female B Grade T20 Champion Player: Jessica Bradley (Rockingham-Mandurah) – 89 runs @ 12.71 & 10 wickets @ 12.20

Female A Grade One Day Batting Aggregate: Tya Gonsalves (Subiaco-Floreat) – 303 runs @ 43.29  
Female A Grade One Day Batting Aggregate: Mathilda Carmichael (Melville) – 213 runs @ 71 
Female A Grade One Day Bowling Aggregate: Rebecca McGrath (Melville) – 19 wickets @ 11.79 
Female A Grade One Day Bowling Average: Lilly Mills (Midland-Guildford) – 10 wickets @ 9.10
Female A Grade One Day Champion Player: Rebecca McGrath (Melville) – 265 runs @ 37.86 & 19 wickets @ 11.79 
 
Female B Grade One Day Batting Aggregate: Lottie Aird (Subiaco-Floreat) – 429 runs @ 47.67 
Female B Grade One Day Batting Average: Jess Row (Melville) – 423 runs @ 60.43  
Female B Grade One Day Bowling Aggregate: Lottie Aird (Subiaco-Floreat) – 17 wickets @ 15.06 
Female B Grade One Day Bowling Aggregate: Lilly Wood (Rockingham-Mandurah) – 17 wickets @ 13.35 
Female B Grade One Day Bowling Average: Nicole Sanders (Rockingham-Mandurah) – 15 wickets @ 9.13 
Female B Grade One Day Champion Player: Lottie Aird (Subiaco-Floreat) – 429 runs @ 47.67 & 17 wickets @ 15.06

Spirit of Cricket Award (Female): Midland-Guildford 
Female Club Championship: Subiaco-Floreat  
Jenny Owens Medal: Lottie Aird (Subiaco-Floreat) 
Female Senior Coach of the Year:  Chris Secker (Midland-Guildford) 
Clare Papasergio Award: Tegan Williamson (Wanneroo) 
Female Competitions Umpire of the Year: Peta Merrilees