Four of Peel’s finest young female footballers have a chance to shine on the national stage and in front of AFLW draft gurus after making the WA’s State 18s squad.
Evie Cowcher, Holly Britton, Jorja Haines and Dakota Sexton are among 34 players picked to represent WA over three matches at the AFL National Championships – U18 girls.
WA’s first game is at home at Queensland on August 3, before the team flies east to take on Vic Country and South Australia.
West Australian Football Commission manager of female talent programs and coaching specialist Trent Cooper said the championships was a chance for all selected players to test themselves against the best in the country.
“Some players have already been identified by AFLW recruiters, but strong performances can put other players on the radar,” he said.
“Clubs are looking for players who will make their teams better, so team success based on a group effort will ensure more players are draftable.
Cowcher, 17, played 13 WAFLW games this year and racked up a season best 33 disposals in Thunder’s final game two weeks ago, against Swan Districts at Lane Group Oval.
Like Britton and Sexton, the Pinjarra junior was part of the State Academy 18s last year.
“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.
“The players themselves have worked together for 18 months and have developed a strong bond and are determined to have as much team success as possible before their careers head in different directions.”
It’s a different story for Jorja Haines, who like Britton came to Peel Thunder from Halls Head Junior Football Club.
But Haines, who played just seven WAFLW games at the start and end of this season, has not been part of the academy program.
‘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,” Cooper said.
Sexton, 18, started her football journey with Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault in the South West Football League.
The State squad is expected to take part in a practice match on Thursday, June 26.