WACFL 2023: State country women’s team grace Optus Stadium against WA State 18s team

WA’s hopes of tasting success in upcoming AFL National Championship matches appear to be high, following the State 18s recording an impressive win over the WA State country women’s team on Sunday at Optus Stadium. Led by Jaime Henry and Evie Cowcher, the 18s won 6.5 (41) to 0.2 (2) in slippery conditions. The State country women’s team was on the back foot early, conceding four first-quarter goals against the fleet-footed teenagers, who used the ball extremely well. Despite this early setback, Gemma Harrison’s side gradually found their feet in the contest, with their controlled physicality turning the game into an armwrestle. Leading this tackling pressure was Busselton’s Katie-Jayne Grieve — appointed captain of the State country team — along with Busselton teammates Emma Borinelli and Rennie Meadmore. Although the majority of play resided in the country team’s forward line during the second term, the visitors were unable to get reward for effort on the scoreboard and were stung on the stroke of half-time when Henry curled through a clever snap over her shoulder to put the State 18s further in front. The slippery conditions worsened in the second half, which resulted in routine stoppages. This suited the State 18s, who flooded numbers back at every opportunity, starving the country forwards of any opportunity to lead into space. Maddy Obal and the country defenders were kept busy in the late stages of the game, however they all fought hard until the final siren. Nine SWFL women’s players were selected in the State country women’s team. Along with Grieve as captain, Borinelli was appointed vice-captain and Meadmore was one of three assistant coaches.