Spots on West Coast's inaugural AFLW list are few and far between after the club signed six exciting players from its Female Academy this week.
The Eagles are thrilled to confirm that Emily Bonser, Beatrice Devlyn, Hayley Bullas, Ashton Hill, Danika Pisconeri and Emily McGuire will don blue and gold in season 2020.
West Coast head of female football Adam Selwood said he was ecstatic to secure the signatures of the talented collective.
“We are incredibly proud of the West Coast Eagles Female Academy players who have been signed through this pre-listing process,” Selwood said.
“Each of them have gone through their own unique journey to secure a spot on our AFLW list and I know they are ready to make the most of the opportunity in front of them.”
Bonser lands at West Coast with considerable experience having been a member of Fremantle’s inaugural AFLW squad.
Unfortunately her opportunity to compete at the highest level was squandered by dual ACL injuries, but the 24-year-old midfielder has bounced back from those setbacks to be an influential figure for Claremont’s WAFLW side.
A member of the Tigers’ leadership group, Bonser possesses elite foot skills and is tough in the clinches.
Emily Bonser
Ironically, Devlyn replaced Bonser on Fremantle’s inaugural AFLW list upon the discovery of her knee injuries and mustered two senior appearances for the Dockers.
Currently plying her trade with Subiaco in the WAFLW, the 21-year-old has a big tank and an ability to play across all three lines.
Bullas, 23, will wear West Coast’s revered wings in 2020 following two impressive seasons with Essendon’s VFLW team.
The Bombers’ 2018 best and fairest winner is a contested ball beast who prides herself on winning the Sherrin at the coalface and clearing it to her outside runners.
Hayley Bullas
Hill has been among East Fremantle’s most consistent players in 2019 after moving to the Sharks from West Perth at the start of the year.
The 24-year-old defender reads the game well and possesses an ability to transition her side from defence to attack with her astute foot skills.
Pisconeri, 28, has been a force to be reckoned with in the WAFLW this year.
The Subiaco ruck can bully her opponents with brute strength, but also possesses a deft touch that brings her midfielders into the game.
She is also a natural leader, having captained the Lions for much of the home and away campaign before the return of seasoned AFLW campaigner Hayley Miller.
McGuire, 20, has experience at the highest level after representing Fremantle on two occasions in 2018.
The Swan Districts product shone in her debut match against Melbourne and ultimately received a nomination for the 2018 AFLW Rising Star Award after kicking two goals against the Demons.
McGuire has recently transitioned from attack to defence, where she draws on her natural game sense and elite foot skills to open up the game.
Emily McGuire
Selwood said West Coast could sign one more player from its Female Academy and a rookie ahead of Octobers 2020 AFLW Draft.
“As part of the AFLW list build process we still have a Female Academy and rookie signing to potentially fulfil before the August 30 deadline,” Selwood said.
“During the next two months we will also be preparing for the AFLW draft, which will provide us up to six selections within the Western Australian pool to complete our squad.”
