Upon hearing the news of her NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination budding star Charlie Thomas was quick to recognise her fellow teammates and coaches for enabling her to execute her role for the building West Coast Eagles side.

To add to her nomination Thomas was also selected in round eight’s AFLW Team of the Week and secured seven coaches' votes in the AFLCA AFLW Champion Player of the Year Award.

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At the final siren, Thomas’s career performance totalled 23 disposals and seven rebound 50s, showing an extremely high work rate and 633 metres gained for the team.

“It’s pretty cool to be nominated but I couldn’t have done it without the support from my teammates,” Thomas said.

“Especially the girls down in the backline they really helped us out.

“Throughout the whole season the ‘back pack’ have worked together really well as a group, in particular I thought we had good cohesion last Friday.”

With  three Rising Star nominations in a row for West Coast the young side is extremely pleased with the development shown across the squad.

Coming off her first goal in AFLW, Thomas believes young winger Courtney Rowley could be the next to put her hand up for a Rising Star gong and was surprised she didn’t join her on this week’s list.

“When Micky (coach Michael Prior) called me to tell me about the nomination my first thought was to ask if Courtney got it with me,” she said.

“I thought she played an awesome game and was definitely deserving of it this week.

“She’s been playing really good footy and I’m sure she will get a nomination over the next few rounds.”

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 07: Charlie Thomas with her supporters after the AFLW match between the West Coast Eagles and the Richmond Tigers at Mineral Resources Park on October 07, 2022 in Perth, Australia.

Thomas  joins teammates Sarah Lakay (round five) and Ella Roberts (round six) in the running for the overall Rising Star award

The 19-year-old is eager to see what the future holds for West Coast, crediting her senior teammates and coaches for allowing the younger players to help shoulder the load of what has been a competitive season.

“I think it’s exciting,” she said. “To have three (nominees) in a row is obviously an indicator that our younger players are stepping up to help out the more experienced members in the team.

“I have to thank the club for backing us young girls for allowing us to go out  there and play our role for the team.

“Also, pat on the back to the older players as well for sticking with us and letting us shoulder the load as well.”

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Charlie Thomas with Jaide Britton as the Eagles run onto the field during the 2022 S7 AFLW Round 05 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on September 23, 2022 in Perth, Australia.

West Coast will head to Melbourne this week to play fifth-placed Geelong. The Cats have been in good form, winning three in a row in the lead up to the AFLW’s official Pride Round in round eight.

 The Eagles will again don their Pride guernsey, which was put on debut for home fans last Friday.

“It was such an honour, the process that we’ve gone through to get that jumper on the park I think is really special and we had contributions from the whole club, players past and present to make it happen,” Thomas said.

“Our game against Geelong is a triple-header for Pride Round so it’s going to be awesome.

“The Cats have had a great season so far, we’ve had big challenges every week this season and this game is no different.

“Nothing changes with our preparation for this one, they are a quality side and it’s going to take our best to get over the line.”