AFLW target in sight for Schilling

Doors are beginning to open for Beth Schilling on her journey from Kelly Park to the big time.

Schilling, pictured, has been selected in the WA State girls under-19s team to, all things being equal, travel to the Gold Coast in April after a strong season in the ruck for the Peel Thunder colts.

The 17-year old can play both in the ruck and down back, adding versatility and size to the 23-player squad, even as an underage prospect.

“When I found out I was so grateful,” she said.

“Making the State team has opened up so many possibilities, with the main one hopefully being AFLW.

“That is definitely the goal at the moment.”

Head coach Beau McDonald could be the perfect man to help progress Schilling’s career, being a former ruckman himself in his 91 game career with the Brisbane Lions.

“We played a couple of games with the South West girls in Perth last year and he was our coach,” she said.

“We also did some one-on-one stuff because he was a ruckman himself.

“He is really approachable and you can ask him anything.”

Schilling also credits her time at Carey Park with a significant part of her development.

“I played mostly for Peel last year but Carey Park has had a massive impact on me,” she said.

“Especially the coaches, Geoff Nitschke was my coach and he was just so supportive and always gave me good advice.

“He also got me onto doing more fitness sessions, which has had an impact on my fitness levels.

“Playing WAFLW colts was definitely a step up, the skill level and pace of the game were a lot better.”