Students Selected for AFLW State Squads

Playing AFLW is a dream for many young girls. With the surge of popularity in women’s AFL, and the women’s professional teams getting more airtime in media and on TV, it’s no wonder.

For Alli Nokes (Year 12), Georgie Cleaver (Year 11), Zoe Keley (Year 10), and Tiani Teakle (Year 10), their future AFLW careers are looking very promising.

The girls were selected into the state squads this week. Alli and Georgie into the U18s and Zoe and Tiani into the U16 squads. The girls join the best up and coming women players in the state and will train and play in two intrastate National Championship matches in March.

Alli, who plays for East Fremantle, said “Being chosen for the squad is a huge honour for me as I have always wanted to play at the highest level and for my state. Playing in the black and gold jumper has always been a dream of mine, especially being able to represent my state.”

Zoe played in the boys’ competition in Katanning until last year when she joined her first season in the WAFLW. She loves playing in girls’ competition. “It means a lot to me to be chosen and it’s a big opportunity for me”, she said. Zoe plays for South Fremantle.

Georgie plays for East Fremantle and has been playing since she started with Auskick at the age of 6 years old, now 16 years old, she’s at the lower end of the age being in U18s. She said, “Being chosen in the U18s state team as a bottom ager, means I can learn from the older girls and develop my skills for over a year, before my draft year in 2023.”

Tiani has been playing since the U10s. She also plays for East Fremantle. Her favourite player is Patrick Cripps. “I like the way he plays footy, and I try to model my game around him”, she said.

All of the girls agreed that their future goal is to be drafted and to win a premiership. We can’t wait to see where your football careers take you. Congratulations, girls!