Six WA Players Named in U16 Girls Championship All-Australian Team Monday, May 8, 2023 - 2:22 PM

WA midfielder Mia Russo has been named the Best and Fairest player in Pool A at the recently completed 2023 U16 Girls Championship. 

Russo averaged 24 disposals per game for Western Australia, which included 32 contested possessions across both matches. 

Coaching Specialist - Talent Pathways at the West Australian Football Commission, Trent Cooper, was glowing in his praise for the West Perth teenager. 

“Mia was the leading possession getter in both National Championship matches, averaging 24 disposals per game. 

She was clearly the no. 1 clearance player across the Championship where her ability to be clean and drive through the contest stood her apart from her peers,” Cooper said. 

Russo was one of six West Australians selected in the All-Australian side. 

Cooper also compiled a summary of the other WA players named. 

Olivia Wolmarans: Playing as a key forward and ruck, Wolmarans averaged 20 possessions and took the most marks in the Championship.  

Her athleticism and height made her a difficult match-up for the opposition and she made a big impact in both games. 

Olivia Crane: Crane played as a key back in the dominant win over Vic Country and was a big part in keeping the opposition to just two goals. 

She blanketed multiple opponents and her 18 disposals saw many WA launches start in our back half. 

Was promoted to play in the 18s match for the second game and performed well against older opponents. 

Evie Cowcher: Cowcher was outstanding in the first game against SA as a key defender. 

She had 19 disposals at 89% efficiency and was responsible for rebounding the ball from our D50 on 8 occasions. 

Missed the second game due to playing in the 18’s team where she also performed extremely well. 

Alicia Blizard: She averaged 14.5 disposals as a mobile key forward and her pace and strength proved a handful for her opposition.  

Alicia really impressed with her team orientation and was a major score involvement player for her team. 

India Bonadeo: India is a bottom-ager who managed to average 20.5 disposals as a midfielder, despite joining the squad quite late in to the program. 

She possesses a damaging left foot and showed smarts around the contest that defied her inexperience. 

“The WAFC is proud of the players selected in the All-Australian side and the performance of the entire squad during the Championships,” Cooper said.  

The All Australian line up and the Best and Fairest awards were selected by a panel comprising Kevin Sheehan (AFL Talent Ambassador – Chair), Tarkyn Lockyer (AFL National Academy Coach/Manager), Tanya Hetherington (AFL Talent Development Coach), Jess Smith (AFL National Female Talent Manager) and AFLW club recruiters Phoebe Carter (Sydney Swans), Jordan Loxley (West Coast Eagles), Trent Moseby (Richmond) and Anthony Tang (St Kilda). 

The All-Australian team features players from seven different teams. 

Continue below to view the 2023 AFL National Development Championships – U16 Girls All-Australian Team. Please click here to read profiles on each player, as compiled by Kevin Sheehan. 

In the state’s first appearance at the U16 Girls Championships, WA finished second behind South Australia in an outstanding result for WAFC Talent Pathway program. 
 

STANDINGS 
 
POOL A  

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POOL B