WESTERN Australia enters the 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships with a number of injuries, but still has plenty of talent ahead of its first match against Queensland on Saturday.

In today’s article, we take a look at some of the names to watch and all you need to know about the Western Australia’s national championships campaign.

AFLW ACADEMY MEMBERS

Zippy Fish
East Fremantle
Midfielder | 160cm | 04/06/2006

The star top-ager is the most recognisable name in Western Australia, having come through the pathways and built quite the CV with a stack of awards along the way. An MVP-winner at Under 16s level as well as the Lou Knitter Medallist for the 2023 WAFLW Grand Finalist, Fish is top five quality and one who has an array of draftable qualities. Her explosive speed and skill makes her a deadly player coming out of the midfield, and she can also play off a win or half-back providing copius amounts of run in transition.

Molly O’Hehir
South Fremantle
Tall Utility | 180cm | 24/05/2006

Every bit the star talent, O’Hehir’s incredible ability might often be a tough underrated given the quality of Fish, but O’Hehir is right up there at the pointy end of the draft. Boasting key position height, O’Hehir can run through the midfield, play down back or up forward, and is as competitive as they come. Has the ability to grab a game by the scruff of the neck and take control, while also having natural leadership skills. Great in the air and fierce at ground level, she is a well-balanced player across the board.

Claudia Wright
Claremont
Tall Utility | 174cm | 30/10/2006

Unfortunately by suffering a leg fracture last weekend it means Wright will miss the 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships and cop her second long-term injury in as many years. She managed to play out a full season at WAFLW level and showed her potential, as well as across two matches for the AFLW Academy. A raw prospect with upside, she is an all-round promising talent who can play across all three lines and is incredibly good in the air, with nice vision and skills to complement her versatility.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Taya Chambers
East Fremantle
Tall Defender | 174cm | 16/07/2006

An athletic tall who received an invite for the Under 21 All-Stars against the AFLW Academy, Chambers is a developable talent who is as competitive in the air as she is at ground level. Able to take an opposition key forward, Chambers can both aim to nullify, and run off them to create some dare and dash down the ground. She has shown in the past when freed up she can turn defence into offence really quickly, and has had stints further afield too.

Natasha Entwistle
East Fremantle
General Defender | 172cm | 19/10/2006

A competitive defender both in the air and at ground level, Entwistle was the other West Australian to earn an invite for the Under 21 All-Stars up against the AFLW Academy. A reliable ball user with nice footy smarts, she tackles hards and can play both offensive and negating roles in the back 50. Like Chambers, Entwistle can play further afield, and is comfortable holding a high defensive line in order to intercept and keep pressure on the opposition.

Lily Paterson
Swan Districts
Midfielder | 172cm | 02/05/2006

The AFLW Draft bolter of season 2024, Paterson had a ripping year to earn a call-up to the State Academy. A star for the Swans throughout the season, Paterson racked up the ball with ease and used it well, making good decisions with ball in hand. She spreads from the inside to the outside, and though her goalkicking is a work in progress, her midfield craft is very good, and she will add some important height and skill at the coalface.

Noa McNaughton
South Fremantle
Small Forward / Midfielder | 161cm | 20/10/2006

A classy small with great goal sense and footy IQ, McNaughton can do a lot of damage with enough opportunities inside 50. She has shown she can also play through the middle and provide some pace and spark in there, but her understanding of the game is so good her best work is done forward of centre. She gets to the right spots at the drop of the ball, is quick to distribute and can set others up as well, which makes her an all-round forward.

Megan Norbury
West Perth
Wing | 171cm | 09/03/2006

Consistency is key for Norbury who has some outstanding traits and is capable of putting in some match-winning performances. She has an elite tank, and when her confidence is up, she uses the ball well and makes great decisions, not afraid to bite off those risky 45-degree pases. Though still needing to close the gap between her best and worst, the national stage is often a great place to stake your claim, and she’s good enough to be a really influential wing.

Jorja Haines
Peel Thunder
Forward / Midfielder | 165cm | 27/06/2006

Haines has had some bad luck with injuries over teh last two seasons, but she does have the talent to justify her spot. She has great explosive speed and can launch a ball from long-range, kicking some miraculous goals in the process. Her upside is high and she loves to bring the defensive pressure too which makes her a well-round prospect. The potential Fremantle father-daughter prospect (Daniel, 16 games) just needs a clean run at it, but has X-factor that catches the eye.

Holly Britton
Peel Thunder
Midfielder / Wing | 162cm | 17/02/2006

The sister of West Coast’s Jaide, Britton is a very different player to that of her older sibling. More of an inside midfielder, Holly ironically has spent more time out on a wing which is where Jaide found her home for Peel. A strong player on the inside and hard worker on the outside, Britton generally uses the ball well, has nice vision and can be an effective distributor of the ball going forward. One player who has come on in leaps and bounds throughout her top-age season.

BOTTOM-AGE STARS

Mia Russo
West Perth
Midfielder / Forward | 164cm | 06/08/2007

A back-to-back Rogers Cup best and fairest winner and best on ground in the 2023 grand final, as well as Under 16s MVP last year, Russo is one of the top players for 2025. She has explosive speed, attacks the contest hard and can provide plenty of highlight reel moments throughout games. She is a natural inside midfielder who can impact up forward as well, and will no doubt cause a few headaches for the opposition despite being a year younger.

Evie Cowcher
Peel Thunder
Tall Defender | 174cm | 03/08/2007

Funnily enough Cowcher turns 17 on Saturday, so it would be the perfect birthday present for the intercepting defender to get the win. Though she has played stints through the middle for Peel Thunder as a point of difference, the 2023 WAFLW Rising Star is best utilised as an aerial interceptor in the back 50. Cowcher uses the ball well and actually won her state’s MVP as a double bottom-ager last year, the youngest player to win an MVP.

Olivia Wolmarans
Subiaco
Key Forward / Ruck | 181cm | 02/09/2007

An athletic key forward who can roll through the ruck, Wolmarans has been a focal point for the Lions in the WAFLW this season. She had a promising Under 16s campaign last year and will look to bring that to the Under 18s in 2024. Her marking along with her booming kick really stands out, and while still growing into her body, Wolmarans can do the incredible for a tall, often performing well above expectations at ground level.

FIXTURES

Satueday, August 3 | vs. Queensland @ Pentanet Stadium, 11:30am AWST
Sunday, August 11 | vs. Vic Country @ RSEA Park, 10:45am AWST
Saturday, August 24 | vs. Western Australia @ Thebarton Oval, 9:30am AWST

TEAM LIST

PREDICTION

Western Australia’s year to strike is next year, as the Sandgropes coming into the 2024 campaign a little wounded due to injuries. Being at home first up will help, but the Sandgropers have a tough fixture, with Vic Country (0-2) looking like the most winnable game, but anything can happen on any given day.