AFTER missing her first 2023 AFLW Under 18 Championships match due to an ankle injury, West Perth utility Liliana Grassenis is hoping for a bit more luck when the Sandgropers conclude their national carnival next month.

Unfortunately for the top-ager, an ankle ligament sprain – something that has become commonplace but not serious for her – put a line through her availability against South Australia. Speaking during that time, Grassenis said she was optimistic about still getting out and playing some great footy for both the Falcons and the Sandgropers.

“I don’t think it’s affected my mind too much but it’s just doing the rehab and getting it done,” she said. “I’ve done it five times now, this is the fifth time. Nothing new, just do what I always do and work on it and get it better.”

Since then, Grassenis made her return at WAFLW level in Round 10, and after kicking back-to-back goals the following weeks, was moved back to her more familiar defensive role under caretaker coach Clint Degebrodt who replaced Steve Hazell in May.

At the time of her injury, Grassenis said she definitely preferred playing in defence, but understood the importance of learning a second role for her draft chances.

“Definitely missing back,” she said. “The forward structures definitely not used to them yet, but I’ll get there.”

Her goals at the time were to increase her endurance again, remain injury free and then front up for Western Australia’s final two national carnival games. The first two, so far, can be ticked off.

Grassenis’ football journey started in Year 6 at Joondalup Kinross with support from her father who loved the sport of Aussie rules. From there, the teenager moved up to Rogers Cup level with West Perth at 14, and eventually progressed through to the League team in its inaugural season last year.

Remembering the season that was, Grassenis said 2022 was an eye-opener, but one that helped her develop rapidly.

“The first game was pretty hard,” she said. “It was like ‘woah this is what League level’s like’ but after that I just stepped up to the challenge. It was like ‘I have to step up now’ and it was not easy but I dealt with it.

“It was definitely very hard and I probably wasn’t the fittest that I needed to be so it was a bit of a struggle. It was fine by the end of it, the backs were used to it by then and we were all fit enough to deal with it.”

A West Coast Eagles supporter, Grassenis prides herself on her defensive traits and mindset, with improvements coming in her football skill department.

“I think I’m pretty just very hard at the ball and just always make a contest, I think that’s probably my biggest strength,” Grassenis said. “I think my kicking’s got a lot better from just this year. I’ve started doing the one-handed ball drop.”

While many of her peers at the State Academy were sent back to League training to earn their spots back, Grassenis was one of the few who retained her place off hard work and impressing the West Australian Under 18s coaching staff.

“They’re just so professional down here, and they’ve got so many resources and all the coaches just know so much,” Grassenis said. “You learn a lot.

“Before I did my injury I was definitely feeling the best I’ve ever felt. Being in it (the Academy) all the way, it definitely an ego boost, but also ‘oh okay I’m doing well I’ve got to keep this up’. It was nice, a nice feeling.”

West Perth had a much improved season this year, and Grassenis credits the new recruits that have brought not just top-end talent to the club, but also lifted the depth.

“It’s been really good,” she said. “A lot of the girls, Kat Bennett, Emily Bennett, they’ve all been really helpful for just the mindset of the group and they’ve helped a lot.

“All the Ammos’ (Amateurs) girls that we’ve got, they’ve really brought the standard up and brought the vibe around the group up and I think it’s a lot better.”

Western Australia take on the Allies at Blacktown International Sportspark on August 13, before concluding the national carnival back at Grassenis’ homeground of Pentanet Stadium against Vic Country.