The West Coast Eagles will give a number players the opportunity to make their case for a round one debut in blue and gold, after confirming their side for their final practice clash against Fremantle this weekend.
Headlining West Coast’s new line-up is forward Ella Roberts who was taken at pick 14 in the first round of the 2022 AFLW Draft.
The Peel Thunder product is keen to get her AFLW career off on the right foot by securing a round one debut off the back of this weekend’s performance, and her ability to play multiple positions across the field means she will likely play multiple roles against Fremantle.
Joining her from the 2022 draft group will be fellow midfielders Abby Bushby, Mikayla Western and Jaide Britton who will all be keen to make an impact through the engine room.
Claremont Tigers teammates and 2021 train-on players Sasha Goranova and Ella Smith will also feature in the side after their call up into the team for this season, both players looking for the opportunity to become regular starters in the side.
Another set of key inclusions coming across from other AFLW clubs will be Jessica Sedunary, who comes from Adelaide as a highly-rated recruit, alongside Isabella Simmons, Emma Humphries and Krstel Petrevski, who have all made the move west from the Melbourne Football Cub.
Cross-coder Emma Hartill will also get a chance to make her case for a round one promotion to start the year. Formerly a WNBL representative, the Collegians amateurs ruck will be eager to push for a starting position.
To round out possible new debuts is Peel Thunder’s Kate Bartlett who, after kicking three goals in last weekend’s scratch match against Hawthorn, will want to round out a stellar pre-season campaign.
Skipper Emma Swanson will lead the Eagles against Fremantle this weekend, with the rivals taking each other on at Fremantle Oval on Saturday, August 13 bouncing down at 12:00pm.
*Denotes team changes
*NUMBER UPDATES
No. 1 - Jess Sedunary (normally No. 10)
No. 3 - Ella Smith (normally No. 22)
No. 10 - Krstel Petrevski (normally No. 32)
No. 12 - Belinda Smith (normally No. 14)
No. 14 - Emma Humphries (normally No. 12)
No. 15 - Kate Bartlett (normally No. 20)
No. 17 - Jaide Britton (normally No. 18)
No. 26 - Eleanor Hartill (normally No. 25)
*OUT: Bushby, Thomas
