WEST Coast managed to secure the local young star, while also adding another exciting talent in the form of a Victorian utility in what was a relatively small draft crop after a huge one in 2024. The Eagles made finals for the first time and will be looking to build on that effort next season in Daisy Pearce‘s third year at the helm.

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DRAFT HAUL

Pick 20. Mia Russo
Pick 36. Jovie Skewes-Clinton

>> CLICK each player’s names for full profiles & highlights

West Coast really built up its side off the back of last year’s AFLW Draft, so realistically it was a case of adding best available with some serious offensive flair. They got that in the form of local midfielder Russo who can also go forward, while Skewes-Clinton loves a goal celebration and can also swing back if required too.

Russo has had her injury interruptions over the last couple of seasons, but is genuine quality and realistically should have gone far higher. Her power out of the stoppage is a feature of her game, and when fit and firing, she is just as damaging as most others in the draft crop. She gets to stay home, and the West Australian Under 16s MVP and dual All-Australian will likely get the chance to impress early in the season.

West Coast do not mind taking a punt of a Vic Country prospect, with Skewes-Clinton having come along in leaps and bounds the last 18 months. Always naturally gifted, the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels utility joins former teammate Jess Rentsch at the club, and as Skewes-Clinton showed for the Rebels and Vic Country, can get the job done at either end. She is one who might need some time to build up an AFLW tank, but once she’s unleashed, will do some serious damage.

GRADE: A

The Eagles will be thrilled to take the slider in Russo whose value should be higher. She and Skewes-Clinton bring further excitement to a young list, while also adding some further flair in the front half of the ground. Both can hit the scoreboard, which is an area that the Eagles will look to improve on going forward.