A number of Peel Thunderbirds are carving their path to the AFL Women’s with blistering performances representing WA at the under 18s national championships.
WA’s girls smashed their way through a combined New South Wales and ACT team before just going down to Queensland in the opening two games of the carnival over the weekend.
Peel’s Kate Bartlett, Sabreena Duffy, Courtney Hodder and Mikaela Schoenfeld all found their names in the best players with stellar performances.
Bartlett was especially impressive in game one, booting a huge seven goals to lead WA to a 15.9 (99) to 2.0 (12) victory over NSW/ACT.
The young spearhead’s bag of goals follows some strong form playing forward for the Peel Thunderbirds’ league team, despite battling injury to start the 2017 season.
She was joined by Peel teammates Hodder, Duffy and Schoenfeld among the best on ground.
We certainly see AFL Women’s futures for many of them
- Peel Thunderbirds youth girls coach Steve Markham
Bartlett also hit the scoring tally in the Queensland game, while Duffy and Hodder once again found their way to the best players.
Fellow Peel Thunderbirds Courtney Fabry, Ava Muir, Kira Morrison and Jessica Hamilton are also part of the state team.
WA coach Trent Cooper praised his players for strong efforts in the first two matches.
“Courtney Hodder and Sabreena Duffy were two of our stand-out performers across both games and McKenzie Dowrick was another who excelled in both games in different roles,” he said.
“We will review the two games and show the girls where they were terrific and the areas that require improvement and then prepare for the second part of the carnival on the Gold Coast in July.”
Peel Thunderbirds youth girls coach Steve Markham said it was no surprise to see the Peel players in good form on the big stage.
“They’re a really talented group of players – we knew they’d do well and do the club proud,” he said.
“We certainly see AFL Women’s futures for many of them.”
Markham lauded the group’s ability as leaders, both on and off the field.
“They are just great people to have around the club and to have playing footy for us at Peel,” he said.
“They commit to working hard and they really stand tall when they’re on the field.”
The WA side will touch down on the Gold Coast to play the remaining games of the championships in mid-July.
For more information visit wafootball.com.au
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
