WA returns to NAB AFLW National Draft Championships Thursday, March 3, 2022 - 12:33 PM

WA’s young aspiring female footballers have received a huge boost with the AFL re-admitting the State into this season’s NAB AFLW Draft Championships. 

The AFL was forced to leave WA out of the Championships last month as uncertainty continued over the border.  

With the State Government’s decision to lift travel restrictions from 3rd March 2022, WA is part of the re-worked schedule. 

WA will now travel to play South Australia on Sunday April 10 before taking on Vic Metro on Friday April 22 in Melbourne. 

The re-inclusion of WA is part of a revised program for 2022, which involves same day travel for teams where possible, and replaces the carnival model which would have had all teams spending several days in one location. 

State 18’s Head Coach Beau McDonald is delighted for his squad. 

“This is a huge result for our players, who’ll now be able to compete against the country’s best young players,” McDonald said. 

AFL National Talent Development and Competitions Manager Grant Williams has welcomed WA’s participation. 

“We’re really pleased to see WA return to the Championships, ensuring the competition features the best under 18 girls across Australia. 

Many of these players will go on to become household names in the NAB AFLW competition,” Williams said. 

The talent at McDonald’s disposal has him excited about 2022. 

“Look, we think we’re improving every year with the WAFLW on the rise and West Perth coming into the competition this year. 

As far as our Academy is concerned, our State 18’s and 16’s programs are well stocked and getting better every year,” McDonald said. 

The squad began with 55 players on the list, with that now trimmed to 36. 

“This year we had to sit down, and it was tough to cut the list back to the squad we have now, and we’re going to have some tough conversations when we pick the team.  

There are several Draft hopefuls in our group this year, some of whom may not be identified until later in the season. 

In 2021 Dana East and Makaela Tuhakaraina weren’t talked about as Draft prospects at the start of the season but then at the end of the campaign they were right in the mix and now find themselves at Fremantle playing good footy,” McDonald said. 

One of the most promising players heading towards the AFLW Draft is Peel Thunder dual Premiership player Ella Roberts. 

“Both West Coast and Fremantle will be keen for her services, and we just want to make sure she enjoys her football this year and improves on a few things she wants to work on,” according to McDonald. 

The dual Brisbane Lions Premiership player is entering his fourth season as Head Coach of the State 18’s Women at the WAFC. 

“Building relationships is critical, so being a 42-year-old and having to relate to 18-year-old women is always a challenge, but we have some fantastic female support staff in the Academy,” he said. 

With AFL Legend Leigh Matthews as a mentor in his playing days, McDonald has ample knowledge to call upon. 

“It was an honour to be coached by the great man, and I often find myself referring to his style and theories,” McDonald said.