State 18s Finish Championship on a High

WA’s State side has come from behind to record a thrilling 5-point win over the Allies in their final match at the NAB AFLW Draft Championships in Victoria. 

It was the side’s only victory of the Championships but provided tremendous satisfaction for State Coach Beau McDonald. 

“It was great to see the group get some reward for effort and our ability to compete was impressive. 

We stuck at it all day even when we didn’t have momentum,” McDonald said. 

With scores level at three quarter time, Tamashya Blurton gave the Black Swans a slender lead with a goal early in the last quarter. 

The Allies hit the front before Blurton kicked her second for the quarter and third for the match as WA snatched back the advantage. 

The drama continued with the Allies having a chance to win the match with a shot at goal after the final siren, but the kick fell short. 

“It was a pretty tense last couple of minutes, but I was proud of how the girls held on,” McDonald said. 

There were seven lead changes throughout the match as momentum swung during the four quarters. 

Peel Thunder’s Ella Roberts was again outstanding with 22 disposals and two goals. 

Roberts moved into the midfield late in the game when the match was up for grabs, producing two clearances and four inside 50s. 

East Fremantle’s Alli Nokes finished with 20 touches in a superb performance in defence. 

Underage players Jamie Henry, Tyla Fitzgerald and Kayla Van Den Heever were prominent for WA, while Emily Elkington, Jorja Elisseou and Tara Stribley gave the Black Swans valuable speed across the ground. Lauren Wakfer again showing her ability to play tall and small winning the ruck contest and racking up tackles and possessions. 

“We improved our contested ball and our ability to keep our forward structure, along with greater tackling intensity. 

The Championships were a great insight for the players on the standards and demands placed on a professional footballer,” McDonald said. 

McDonald also praised the side’s leadership. 

“Bella Mann did a great job as Captain, and it was terrific to see Abagail Bushby added to the AFLW National Academy alongside Ella Roberts, Lauren Wafker and Georgie Cleaver,” McDonald said. 

The All-Australian squad and Most Valuable Player Awards will be presented following the final match of the Championships this weekend, with reigning MVP Ella Roberts a contender to go back-to-back. 

The WA players will return to the WAFLW to complete the season ahead of the AFLW Draft later this year.