State 18s Women Bounce Back with Strong Showing against All StarsThursday, April 21, 2022 - 11:47 AM - by Mark Readings

WA’s 18s team produced a spirited performance against a WAFLW All Stars side ahead of their final match in the NAB AFLW National Championships. 

The State side went down by 12 points to an All-Stars line up at the weekend, a team which featured the best mature aged players in the WAFLW competition. 

WA turned an 11-point half time deficit into an 8-point break at three quarter time but a quick three goals at the start of the last quarter for the All Stars was enough to see off the 18s challenge. 

Coach Beau McDonald was proud of the effort. 

“We competed a lot more in this game and gave ourselves a chance against mature opposition. 

Every player had an impact on the match and contributed in some way, so it was great to see the players turn their performance around from the previous week,” McDonald said. 

Exciting draft prospect Ella Roberts was a standout with 30 disposals and a goal. 

For the All Stars, Peel Thunder duo Kate Bartlett and Chloe Wrigley helped set up victory. 

Bartlett kicked 4 of her side’s 7 goals, while Wrigley ended the match with 24 disposals. 

The result is a major confidence boost for the squad after it suffered an 83-point loss to South Australia in game one of the Championships. 

“We played to our structure which was important because our group was very disappointed with what we produced in Adelaide,” McDonald said. 

The squad will train tonight and the team to play the Allies will be announced after the session. 

After the trip to Melbourne the players will have medical and football exit meetings next week before being released back to the WAFLW clubs for the remainder of the season. 

A small selection of players will also be invited to the AFLW Combine Draft Testing following the Championships as a lead up to the AFLW Draft which the date is yet to be confirmed by the AFL 

WA’s final game of the NAB AFLW Draft Championships will take place on Friday against the Allies at 10am (AET) in Melbourne.