Emerging forward-ruck Lauren Wakfer will make her West Coast Eagles debut this weekend against Fremantle in round one of the 2023 NAB AFLW season.

An All-Australian at under-18s level, Wakfer spent last season on the sidelines after suffering an ACL injury before she was drafted, but following a successful recovery and pre-season she will don the blue and gold for the first time in her AFLW career.

Eagles coach Michael Prior said the 19-year-old has come a long way in her journey so far since being recruited via selection 15 overall in last year’s draft.

“We drafted ‘Wak’ with our second pick, knowing that she wasn’t going to play for us in her first year due to injury, but that’s how highly regarded we thought she was,” Prior said.

“She’s spent a year here working through her rehab, being really diligent with that, and this pre-season she’s got herself going to a point where she played in our last two scratch matches against Essendon and Fremantle and shown really good signs and has come a long way.

“We’ve noticed a huge spike in the last four-to-six weeks with her training, so it’s really exciting for ‘Wak’ and we can’t wait to see her run out in round one against Fremantle.”

Hailing from South Fremantle in the WAFLW, Wakfer’s ability to win the ball at stoppages, her athleticism and impressive vertical leap make her one of the most exciting talls in the competition.

“Lauren is a ruck-key forward, so she can play as a deep forward for us and then pinch-hit in the ruck when Sarah Lakay has a spell,” Prior said.

“Her strengths are her hunt around the contest and her follow up after her ruckwork has been outstanding for us.

“When she’s forward, if she’s not marking them, she’s competing really hard and bringing the ball to ground which allows our small forwards to get involved in the game.

“She brings a fair bit to our team and we’re really excited about that.”

The Eagles take on the Dockers in their season-opener on Sunday, September 3 at Fremantle Oval.