WA Players Feature in AFLW Futures MatchFriday, June 3, 2022 - 12:42 PM - by Mark Readings

EIGHT West Australians will line up in an emerging stars game this weekend as part of the inaugural NAB AFLW Futures program. 

46 of the country’s most talented 17-year-old footballers will gather in Melbourne for a training camp and exhibition match. 

WA’s representatives include Peel’s Kaitlyn Srhoj, West Perth’s Kayler Van den Heever and Liliana Grassenis, East Fremantle duo Anjelique Raison and Georgie Cleaver, Swan Districts pair Tyla Fitzgerald and Jaime Henry, and Tamashya Blurton from Claremont. 

The players named in the NAB AFLW Futures squad will be eligible for selection in next year’s NAB AFLW Academy. 

The squad will complete a training session on Saturday in Melbourne, before being split into two teams to compete in an exhibition match at Geelong’s GHMBA Stadium on Sunday June 5. 

West Australian Football Commission Talent Specialist, Elly Lambkin, said players selected will have the opportunity to showcase their talents as next year’s draft prospects. 
 
“It is really exciting to have the best 17-year-olds playing against each other and the opportunity to play at a higher level. Matches like these help drive players to continue to push themselves when they get back home to get the most out of themselves,” Lambkin said. 

“They can showcase their abilities against the best 17-year-old players around the country. This match will give AFLW clubs a closer look at players for the future draft pools and the AFL will have the opportunity to see which players might be in line for a spot in next year's AFLW National Academy.” 

National Academy Manager Tarkyn Lockyer said the NAB AFLW Futures program provided an opportunity for the country’s most promising young talent to be part of an elite football program. 

“We are extremely pleased to add the NAB AFLW Futures program to the AFL Talent Pathway Programs, and it’s really pleasing that we have a representation from every state and territory," Lockyer said.

"The players picked in the NAB AFLW Futures squad represent the highest standard of football talent across Australia, and we look forward to seeing the girls come together to feature in the program. 

"Many of the players selected in the squad recently competed at the 2022 NAB AFLW National Championships-Girls U18 and have been standouts within their talent programs. 

"Sunday’s match will be a great showcase of the exciting talent coming through the football ranks." 

The action includes a double-header, with the AFL Futures match set to begin at 8.30am WA time. 

It will be followed by the Woomeras v Medleys clash at 10.30am WA time, where Under 16 female footballers from across the country will form an Indigenous side, the Woomeras, and the Multi-Cultural team, the Medleys. 

The Woomeras will be coached by former West Coast and Fremantle AFLW player Cassie Davidson. 
 
How to watch: A live stream of the AFLW Futures match will be available at www.womens.afl/talent-pathway/academy.
A live stream of the Woomeras v Medleys match will be available at www.womens.afl/talent-pathway/u18s. 
 
AFLW Futures Match 
Sunday June 5, 10:30am 
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong 
 
NAB AFLW FUTURES - TEAM WHITE 
 

 
The NAB AFL Futures Program is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.? 
 
The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program comprises the following elements: 

• NAB AFL/W Rising Star 
• NAB AFL/W Draft 
• NAB AFL/W Draft Combine 
• NAB AFL/W Academy 
• NAB AFL/W Under-18 Championships 
• NAB AFL/W Under-16 Championships 

NAB has proudly supported footy for over a decade, providing boys and girls with a clear pathway from NAB AFL Auskick to the big time.