Teenage talent Ella Roberts and West Coast Eagles’ vice-captain Bella Lewis have both recommitted to the club on multi-year deals.
Remarkable youngster Roberts has signed a three-year contract extension, keeping her in the blue and gold until at least the end of 2027.
Roberts finished runner up Club Champion following an outstanding 2023 season, the 18-year-old also selected in the 22Under22, the first Eagle to be named in the final team.
Impressing with her consistent high-flying marks, solid tackles and thumping kick, Roberts is a pleasure to watch around the ground and has quickly established herself as one of the most exciting young players in the competition.
Roberts was nominated for the Rising Star in round one after an impressive game against Fremantle and was also awarded the AFLW RAC Derby medal for her efforts, the first West Coast player to receive it.
She went on to string together several best-on performances for her team and finished third in the Rising Star vote count at the W Awards earlier this month.
The versatile forward-mid said it’s an amazing feeling to be able to sign on long-term.
“It’s an amazing feeling, knowing that the club has got full faith in me as a player,” Roberts said.
“A whole bunch of us younger girls have all signed on and I’m really excited for the future of the club.
“I love the girls, I love the club, I love everything about the team, so at the end of the day it was a very easy decision.
“Holding onto some of my best mates, getting to play footy with your best mates is pretty special so I’m loving that as well.
“Personally, I just want to continue playing better and better footy every year, taking steps forward and staying fit and healthy and just keep loving my footy.”
Emerging West Coast leader Lewis has signed a two-year contract extension, which will see her retained until at least the end of 2026.
With just four seasons under her belt, Lewis is one of the Eagle’s most highly decorated players and has been a strong contributor to the team both on and off the field.
Taken with pick No. 3 in the 2020 draft, Lewis made her debut in 2021 and etched her name in the history books, being awarded Club Champion and Best First Year Player in the same season.
To add to her accolades, Lewis was awarded the Eagles’ season seven Trademark Player award, as voted by her teammates.
Lewis was elevated to the leadership group as vice-captain for the 2023 season, an incredible achievement at just 20 years of age, and a testament to her character.
The WA local said she’s excited for her future with the club.
“It’s really good, it’s exciting,” Lewis said.
“It’s good now that we can sign longer contracts, I feel like it helps with the security and looking forward into the future is really exciting and I’m really keen to stick around.
“The club has a lot of faith in the group, and the girls that I’ve got around me, knowing where we want to take our football in the next couple of years, that was probably some of the deciding factors for me.
“I’m looking forward to a bit of a restart, getting back and being able to enjoy my footy, having a good pre-season and coming back stronger.”