West Coast young guns Ella Roberts and Charlie Thomas secure 22under22 selections after outstanding seasons

The future is bright for this pair of West Coast stars after Ella Roberts and Charlie Thomas were named in the AFLPA’s AFLW 22Under22 on the back of dominant campaigns.

Roberts continued her meteoric rise to becoming one of the hottest stars of the competition averaging career-highs for disposals (21.4), contested possessions (12.2) and clearances (3.5).

But a career-high six goals combined with her supreme aerial marking threat took her to another level this season as she remains a hot chance of earning a maiden All-Australian blazer.

“It’s been great to see Ella’s continued growth this season. She has some incredible weapons and is starting to build consistent training habits that will enable her to keep chasing improvement,” senior coach Daisy Pearce said.

“I love working with someone as ambitious and competitive as she is.

“It’s exciting to see a 19-year-old with the talent she has already starting to make the connection between consistency Monday to Friday and her performance on the weekend.”

Roberts is joined by 2023 All-Australian defender Charlie Thomas who went to another level this season leading the competition in rebound 50s after taking on the role as Eagles vice-captain.

“Charlie has had another outstanding season backing up from a really strong 2023,” Pearce said.

“The consistent high level she performs at and her year-on-year improvement is a testament to her humble, super competitive nature and elite training standards.

“This season Charlie worked hard to adapt to a change in defensive style and structure, allowing her to add more versatility to her already impressive tool kit. In addition to her growth on field, she embraced greater leadership responsibilities as co-vice-captain.”

Bella Lewis and defender Beth Schilling made the extended squad but missed the final cut while Fremantle’s Tunisha Kikoak also missed the final selection.

Superstars Georgie Prespakis and Charlie Rowbottom achieved a record-equalling fourth 22under22 selection and were named captain and vice-captain respectively.

Geraldton product Julia Teakle, brother of North Melbourne’s Brynn, also made the final squad after a breakout season for Port Adelaide.

2024 AFLW 22Under 22 Final Side

FB: Sarah Goodwin (Adelaide), Amelie Borg (Port Adelaide)

HB: Daisy D’Arcy (Gold Coast), Zoe Prowse (Adelaide), Charlotte Thomas (West Coast)

C: Ella Roberts (West Coast), Abbey Dowdrick (Port Adelaide), Jasmine Fleming (Hawthorn)

HF: Tarni Evans (GWS), Julia Teakle (Port Adelaide), Zarlie Goldsworthy (GWS)

FF: Alice O’Loughlin (North Melbourne), Charlotte Mullins (Brisbane)

FOLL: Matilda Scholz (Port Adelaide), Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast, VC), Georgie Prespakis (Geelong, C)

I/C: Tahlia Gillard (Melbourne), Teah Charlton (Adelaide), Eliza McNamara (Melbourne), Mimi Hill (Carlton), Sarah Hartwig (Western Bulldogs), Lucy Cronin (Collingwood)