A lot has happened since Mikayla Bowen joined the West Coast Eagles in January.

When Bowen and multi sports star Rosie Deegan put pen to paper on a 17-year-old AFLW expansion contracts all the way back in January, they were the only two players on the women’s list.

Now, seven months later, the club has just five vacancies on its list, which it intends to fill at next month’s 2010 NAB AFLW Draft.

Bowen has loved watching the list take shape and the calibre of talent that has walked in the door recently.

“It’s been pretty crazy, especially in terms of who has been signed,” Bowen said.

“Half of them I’ve looked up to as I’ve come through the system. The likes of Kellie Gibson and Dana Hooker, they’re my absolute role models. To be training alongside them, let alone maybe playing with them next year, it’s insane.

“They just exhibit that extra level of professionalism. I can see it and I think if I can see that as an up-and-coming player it must radiate throughout the whole squad. I admire the standards they bring to training and they’re in the gym when most people are asleep. When you see that you start doing it too.”

In spite of being star struck by some of her new teammates, Bowen won’t be afraid to push them on the training track as she vies for a spot in West Coast’s round one team.

And it would be unreasonable to think that impossible given the season she has pieced together.

Bowen captained Western Australia at the recent 2019 NAB AFLW under 18 championships, steering the sandgropers to three wins from five games.

She was named WA’s most valuable player and earned all-Australian selection at the conclusion of the championships.

While Bowen was honoured to claim her two individual gongs, the 19-year-old was more pleased with the way she conducted herself as captain of the state team.

“I personally learnt a lot about my game,” she revealed.

“I didn’t have the time I usually do to focus on the game because I was constantly keeping an eye out for the rest of my teammates. I think my leadership has grown immensely from that experience. I can see that in the way I lead on the field now.

“It was an absolutely incredible experience. I wanted to give those girls something that I’ve been given. I felt like it was my time to give back to the state program because it had given me so much. The last game was a bit emotional with a few of us that had grown up together through the program and progressed through it.”

Bowen is currently focused on finishing her 2019 WAFLW season with Swan Districts in style, but she admitted to being equally excited about West Coast’s inaugural AFLW pre-season.

She felt the group’s already tight bond – forged during the club’s numerous Female Academy training sessions – would go from strength-to-strength over the summer slog.

“I think we are growing quicker than I’ve ever experienced in a team before,” Bowen said.

“We have gelled a lot quicker than some teams I’ve been involved in. It’s incredible to be in such a great environment with such amazing and pure people. I think we’ve just got to keep pushing and see what the rest of the year holds. It’s exciting to see what 2020 will bring.

“I would say to the rest of the competition watch out, because we’ve got some guns. It’s really exciting.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We are the inaugural Eagles and we want to make our mark on the competition as quickly as possible.”