WA Girls Create History in MelbourneMonday, April 24, 2023 - 3:31 PM

Western Australia has enjoyed a stunning debut at the AFL National Development Championships – Girls (U16) beating Victoria Country by 60 points at Arden Street in Melbourne.

2023 is the first year WA has fielded a team at the Championships and Trent Cooper, Coaching Specialist - Talent Pathways at the West Australian Football Commission was delighted with the way the side handled the challenge.

“The main aim of the 16s is to give the players an introduction to an elite level of preparation and football.

An interstate trip first-up was always going to be a great educational experience and the players handled it extremely well.

It’s a credit to them and the staff that they produced such good football in their first game together,” Cooper said.

Vic Country had the first inside 50 of the game but from there WA dominated the contest.

A 5 goal to 1 opening half set up a match winning break.

“The girls were terrific in their attack on the contest which enabled us to control field position and our forwards fought hard to keep the ball in the area when it came their way.

The defenders were organized, and it was a great effort to keep the opposition to just 2 goals even though they had 27 forward 50 entries,” Cooper said.

Olivia Wolmarans was one of her side’s best players as a forward and second ruck collecting 23 disposals, Mia Russo and India Bonadeo finished with 24 possessions as influential midfielders, while Evie Cowcher and OIivia Crane continually repelled Vic Country’s forward entries.

Sunni-Quay Peters also played a major role in the backline, blunting Vic Country’s most dangerous forward.

“It’s a real cliché to say it was a team effort but what was particularly pleasing was that everybody contributed by playing to their strengths,” Cooper said.

Cooper claims the result was also a vindication for the plan and preparations put in place by the coaching group.

“During a team meeting the night before the game, Head Coach Jenna Allomes asked the girls what was required of them and it was clear from the players and their responses that Jenna and her assistants had instructed and trained the girls extremely well.

It was especially pleasing to see the run from behind and handball that had been drilled into the girls in the past few weeks.

The quality of football played is a big tick for the pathway and is a direct result of the improved standard of the Rogers Cup competition and the coaching that is going on at that level.

There’s still a long way to go for these players and we have to ensure that they are exposed to high standards over the next few years so that we can help them realise their potential,” he said.

FINAL SCORE

WA 10.15 (75)

Vic Country 2.3(15)