WA's top female footballers take to Optus StadiumFriday, May 4, 2018 - 1:35 PM

WA's top female footballers will take to the hallowed turf of Optus Stadium this Saturday and showcase their skills in a curtain raiser to the West Coast Eagles clash against Port Adelaide.

The game, which will be the second women's game held at the venue, will see the WA Football Commission State 18s academy players take on the West Coast Eagles high performance female academy players. 

Former North Melbourne and Eagles star Drew Petrie will lead the Eagles academy side and coaching the WA State 18s academy team is former Eagles Premiership player Adam Selwood.

Gates open at 12.30pm with the match kicking off at 12.50pm. Plus, one lucky fan will be selected from the West Coast Eagles fan zone to toss the coin for the clash.
 

Name: Taylor Pescud - WA State 18s Academy
Number: 6
Age: 17
Club: Swan Districts
Bio: Pescud is a great runner who is trusted to attack and transition from the half back flank. She’s represented Western Australia in both the 15s and 18s sides while also being voted captain and winning the MVP in her first year at Swan Districts Youth Girls. 

Name: Sabreena Duffy - WA State 18s Academy
Number: 9
Age: 18
Club: Peel Thunderbirds
Bio: Duffy had a great 2017 and was named in the 2017 NAB AFL Under 18’s All Australian Squad. The defender is an experienced member of the team and hates losing a contest. Fresh from winning the Cath Boyce Rookie of the Year award at the WAWFL awards night, look for Duffy to launch herself at every contest.   

Name: Sonia Dorizzi - WA State 18s Academy
Number: 22
Age: 19
Club: Peel Thunderbirds
Bio: Dorizzi did not apply for the 2018 AFLW Draft in a mature decision that allows her to gain more experience. Her awesome leap allows her to compete strongly in the ruck, but she covers the ground like a midfielder.

Name: Emma O’Driscoll - WA State 18s Academy
Number: 23
Age: 18
Club: Swan Districts
Bio: O’Driscoll is a dependable centre half back who hits every pack at full speed. She can run and carry the ball up the ground and also take pivotal intercept marks down back.

Name: Gabriella Radojkovich - WA State 18s Academy
Number: 26
Age: 15
Club: East Fremantle
Bio: Radojkovich is the cleanest player in the team. Don’t be surprised to see her bob up from nowhere, scoop up the ball and cut through congestion as if time is standing still.  She loves a goal.

Name: Kate Bartlett – West Coast Eagles
Number: 5
Age: 18
Club: Peel Thunderbirds
Bio: Bartlett is an exceptional kick who will look to gain quick meterage on the small field. The key forward was named in the 2017 NAB AFL Women’s Under 18 All Australian Squad and is capable of breaking a game open after kicking seven goals in a match against NSW/ACT last year.  

Name: Matilda Sergeant – West Coast Eagles
Number: 8
Age: 19
Club: Claremont
Bio: Sergeant is a tough midfielder who can distribute well by both hand and foot. She is an exceptional overhead mark, tackles strongly and loves getting the contested ball around the ground.  

Name: Sarah Garstone – West Coast Eagles
Number: 32
Age: 18
Club: Claremont
Bio: Garstone is relatively new to the game. She is skilled, strong, athletic and rarely loses a contest down back.

Name: Rikki Ryan – West Coast Eagles
Number: 39
Age: 18
Club: Swan Districts
Bio: Ryan is a sleek mover who can play as both an inside and outside midfielder. She has a strong core, outstanding tackling pressure and will look to move the ball quickly by foot.

Name: Jacinta Valentini – West Coast Eagles
Number: 40
Age: 17
Club: West Perth
Bio: An inside midfielder with great hands, Valentini loves the contested ball. She is slick in the contest and loves to tackle.  

1 Lily Bird
3 Brianna Hyde
6 Taylor Pescud 
8 Ella Smith 
9 Sabreena Duffy
11 Shannon Whale   
12 Kate Inglis-Hodge   
22 Sonia Dorizzi
23 Emma O’Driscoll
25 Savannah Ahearn
26 Gabriella Radojkovich
27 Maddison Bedford 
29 Tara Garlett 

2 Mavis Lyndon
4 Teah Taylor 
5 Kate Bartlett 
8 Matilda Sergeant
11 Mikayla Hyde
19 Sarah Verrier 
32 Sarah Garstone
34 Abbey Dowrick
35 McKenzie Dowrick
36 Caitlin Hill
37 Tanisha Anderson
39 Rikki Ryan
40 Jacinta Valentini