CLAREMONT speedster Ella Slocombe missed a chunk of preseason when she went overseas, but has not lost any ground heading into her top-age year with a cracking start to 2023 for the 17-year-old. Representing Western Australia in the opening match of the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, Slocombe was one of the major eye-catchers, and while she did not have a heap of disposals compared to others (15), she caught the eye with her trademark dash and dare.

KangaroosMidfielder, Medium Forward

Ella Slocombe

Height: 164cm

Weight: -

DOB: 06-12-2005

2023 AFLW Under 18 Championships
Western Australia 4.1 (25) defeated by South Australia 8.12 (60)

STATS: 15 disposals (9 kicks, 6 handballs), 1 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

FIRST HALF

Ella Slocombe started off on a wing and rotated midfield, but had a slow first term with just a couple of touches to quarter time. Her first was via a free kick for in the back just inside 50, kicking to the top of that goalsquare. Her second term started much more promisingly with a mark on the wing in the opening minute to kick to a pack.

In the fourth minute of the second term, Slocombe won the ball off a clean pickup and set up Anjelique Raison for her state’s first major o the contest. Spending more time on the inside, Slocombe was beginning to get into the right spots. She had a quick handball on the wing at the six-minute mark, then midway through the term put her body on the line at a stoppage but was immediately tackled.

By half-time, Slocombe had the five touches, but was about to produce a strong second half to boost her numbers, and her impact on the game.

SECOND HALF

In the third minute of the second half, Slocombe burst away from a stoppage in defensive 50 to rebound the ball and hit a target down the field with ease. Four minutes later, the midfielder was dragged down in a tackle but still got her handball away, then at the next stoppage, won a clearance via a handball, again in a tackle.

Slocombe provided some defensive pressure of her own with a strong tackle in the 10th minute of the quarter at half-back, with an effective kick down the ground that followed. She gathered well in the same area and got a handball away, and then had one of her plays of the day from defence. Winning it at half-back – where Western Australia had struggled to clear it – Slocombe burst away, taking two bounces and got it to centre half-forward for just the second time in the quarter, where it largely stayed for the remaining few minutes.

Her final term saw Slocombe continue her good form from quarter three, with an early touch before being immediately tackled. At half-back in the sixth minute, Slocombe won the ball but her long kick was subsequently turned over, before the highlight of the day.

Cleanly picking it up in the middle, Slocombe kicked inside 50 but rather than stopping, she put on the jets to add the extra number, and was rewarded for her hard running, receiving it back via hand to run on and kick the goal brilliantly.

CLOSING THOUGHTS ….

Ella Slocombe had a quieter start in terms of production in the first half, but really got cooking in the second half as she bravely defended in the third term before showing off her attacking prowess. The Claremont utility – who has largely played half-forward or wing for the Tigers – was able to spend time on the inside and won 50 per cent of her touches at the coalface.