WESTERN Australia will have up to 18 fresh faces making their debuts across the 2022 AFLW Under 18s Championships, with a new-look side set to take the field. The Sandgropers begin their national championships campaign tomorrow at Thebarton Oval when they take on South Australia, with plenty of talented players to keep an eye out for.

Most notably, the name few would have forgotten is last year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ella Roberts who is now in her top-age year. The tall forward-midfielder is an excitement machine who stood up against older opponents to take home the tournament’s top gong despite her side only winning one of three matches. She is joined by the likes of AFLW Academy ruck Lauren Wakfer, winger Tara Stribley, and over-age prospects Bella Mann – who is captaining her state this year – and Emma Nanut as ones who are returning.

There are plenty of new faces to the lineup in draft contention as well, lead by silky onballer Emily Elkington out of Claremont, and dynamic Swan Districts forward Abbygail Bushby. Unfortunately both will be missing from the opening match tomorrow. They will lead an exciting core of new players into the clash, with South Fremantle wingers Jess Verbrugge and Tanika Bradley, and new over-age inclusions, South Fremantle’s Aaliyah Ugle (unavailable) and Peel Thunder’s Megan Bain.

From a bottom-age perspective, Sandgropers vice-captain Jaime Henry is one to watch alongside AFLW Academy ruck-forward Georgie Cleaver. Others who have stepped up at League level this year include West Perth duo Kayla Van Den Heever and Liliana Grassenis, and Peel Thunder speedster Kaitlyn Srhoj. Exciting East Fremantle forward Anjelique Raison and Swan Districts midfielder-forward Tyla Fitzgerald have also had an impact.

Swan Districts’ Tyla Fitzgerald wlll step up in the absence of Elkington through the middle, whilst Nanut, Stribley and Verbrugge will proved run on the outside. In defence, Peel Thunder duo Mann and Emily Gunton whilst provide some rebound, with West Perth’s Kayla Van Den Heever is one of many fresh faces, and will start forward for the state campaign.

Though understrength for the campaign, the Sandgropers still have some quality talent, with just the younger, more inexperienced depth to be really tested. They have some great runners, quality talls in the forward half and through the ruck, and will look to use their height to advantage. Expect Roberts to have Amelie Borg for company in game one, with the South Australians having a young list as well, but nearly all have League experience, with a number of West Australians yet to debut at League level.