WESTERN Australia’s squad for the 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships has been released with 34 players named for the Sandgropers. Headlining this year’s squad are three AFLW Academy members in Zippy Fish, Molly O’Hehir and Claudia Wright.

The Sandgropers take on Queensland in Perth on August 3, before hitting the road later that month to face Vic Country and reigning champions South Australia. WAFC Manager Female Talent Programs and Coaching Specialist Trent Cooper said the coaching panel was “really excited” about the squad chosen for the 2024 edition.

“Most of the players have been in the State Academy Program for 18 months in either the 16’s or 18’s and we think they have progressed really well,” Cooper said.

“Seven players have come from outside the Academy and full credit goes to their respective WAFL clubs who have developed them so well in the WAFLW competition that they’ve demanded selection.”

Included among the additions were red-hot ball-winner Lily Paterson who has been tearing it up for Swan Districts, as well as East Fremantle’s Siena Jezierski-Brown and East Perth duo Sabella Banks and Layla Firns. Subiaco pair Taya Strickland and Layla Quinn-Schofield have also been in strong form of late.

Among the more familiar faces, East Fremantle pair Natasha Entwistle and Taya Chambers have both represented the Under 21 All-Stars in Melbourne indicating club interest, while the likes of Megan Norbury and Noa McNaughton have experience with the state side. Under 18s reigning MVP Evie Cowcher and 2023 Under 16s MVP Mia Russo are also in the side.

In terms of team representation, East Fremantle and South Fremantle have a league-high seven players apiece, with Peel Thunder and Subiaco four each. The remaining four sides in Claremont, East Perth, Swan Districts and West Perth have three players named. Interestingly of those four sides, only East Perth is not playing finals this week.

2024 AFLW U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS WESTERN AUSTRALIA SQUAD:

Juliet Kelly – Claremont
Claudia Wright – Claremont
Mia Jackson – Claremont
Zipporah Fish – East Fremantle
Natasha Entwistle – East Fremantle
Alicia Blizard – East Fremantle
Grace Freeman – East Fremantle
Taya Chambers – East Fremantle
Tiani Teakle – East Fremantle
Siena Jezierski-Brown – East Fremantle
Lucy Greenwood – East Perth
Sabella Banks – East Perth
Layla Firns – East Perth
Holly Britton – Peel Thunder
Jorja Haines – Peel Thunder
Dakota Sexton – Peel Thunder
Evie Cowcher – Peel Thunder
Kate Newson – South Fremantle
Noa McNaughton – South Fremantle
Molly O’Hehir – South Fremantle
Jasmine Bazeley – South Fremantle
Renee Morgan – South Fremantle
Zoe Keley – South Fremantle
Alira Fotu – South Fremantle
Taya Strickland – Subiaco
Layla Quinn-Schofield – Subiaco
Olivia Wolmarans – Subiaco
Olivia Crane – Subiaco
Lily Paterson – Swan Districts
Sienna Gerardi – Swan Districts
Carys D’Addario – Swan Districts
Mia Russo – West Perth
Megan Norbury – West Perth
Samara Sallie – West Perth