West Coast’s prized first draft pick Ella Roberts will make her highly anticipated debut in the Eagles’ AFLW season-opener against Port Adelaide.
The WA U19s MVP was surprised today at her school when coach Michael Prior announced to her class that she will be pulling on the blue and gold for the first time at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.
Roberts is one of the most promising rookies to enter AFLW in the second half of 2022, coming of the back of a stellar WAFLW season where she averaged 19.3 disposals for Peel Thunder.
Speaking to westcoasteagles.com.au, Roberts was ecstatic with her selection, admitting that it came as a bit of a surprise.
“Having Mick here at the school is definitely a bit of a shock, however this is something I’ve been working towards during pre-season so it’s definitely an honour to be chosen to play round one,” Roberts said.
“I’d always wanted to get drafted to West Coast and now I get the opportunity to pull on the jersey in round one. All the players are going to be really excited to play well so I think it’s going to be special.
“To be honest, when I entered the club after the draft I didn’t really have my eyes on round one, my main focus was to earn the respect of teammates and just to try and improve.
“Now I’ve been given this opportunity, I think that hard work in the pre-season has paid off and now it’s a dream come true to finally play at this level.”
As the first confirmed selection in the Eagles’ round one team, Roberts will hope to play alongside good friend and West Coast’s number one draft selection last year, Charlie Thomas.
Roberts will likely line up in the forward line against Port Adelaide, and could be joined by a host of debutants this weekend as the Eagles enter an exciting new era building through young talent.
“My main focus is just to play my role as best I can this weekend,” Roberts explained.
“If I just back myself out there and play my best footy I think everything will work itself out.”
The Eagles will defend home turf in the first round of the AFLW season against Port Adelaide starting at 1:10pm AWST.
