WA
Nicole Graves
In the Hot Seat: As Australia's first and only female Level 3 coach, Nicole Graves will not be happy until she has guided Team WA to victory over Victoria. If she doesn’t win the Cup it may be ‘Gravesy’s’ last Champs in the hot seat!
Sarah Noga
Stepping up: Sarah Noga was in her first Nationals of any age group in 2009. Now with one of every age group under her belt she is more experienced, skilled and stronger to lead Team WA’s forward line. An accurate kick for goal Noga was the leading goal kicker in the U18s and is also a handy golfer on a three handicap.
Nikki Harwood’s
Last Hoorah: After six Nationals campaigns starting as a rep for NSW before shifting back to WA, Nikki Harwood's body is starting to feel the pinch. With Youth Girls developing behind her "Webbo" is thinking about turning her attention to other options.
Chelsea Randall
Judd her Inspiration: Twenty-year-old Chelsea Randall would like to play like AFL superstar and Carlton Captain, Chris Judd.
"He plays smart football, a selfless player, and when he gets the ball he may not have it for too long but he will make all the right decisions. Isn’t arrogant in the way he plays on and off the field, he just goes about his ways and gets the job done," said Randall who pretty much described her own game in the process!
Like Judd, Randall has also won her League’s Fairest and Best Award twice. Another similarity is her love of running. “I enjoy running with the ball and being able to go anywhere I like on the field. I guess I feel I get a perspective from all angles playing in this position [ruck rover].”
Not only has Randall captured the attention of her female footballing peers but also that of key males in the WA football industry.
“This year I was lucky enough to join in with our Swan Districts Colts (WAFL) pre season training, picking up a few skills and drills from Coach Adrian Hickmott (former Essendon player). I was also invited to train with the State 18’s boys squad along with a few other state girls.”
These types of opportunities will become the norm for female footballers if Randall has her way. Working as the only club based Female Football Development Officer, in Australia, Randall would like to ensure the player pathway is complete across Australia during her watch.
Lauren Osborne
First to beat the Vics: Lauren Osborne is in the unique position of being one of the only female footballers to ever beat Victoria. As captain of the inaugural WA State Schoolgirls team in 2009, she was probably the only player to realise the enormity of what had been achieved.
"Most of the girls had only played schoolgirls football but I’d just competed in the Nationals and knew the stories around Victoria being unbeaten," Osborne said.
"To be the first to beat the Vics in any age group at any Nationals was amazing. I’m very proud of that."
Osborne was WA’s best player in that carnival which proudly sits among her other football achievements in a career that started in the juniors playing alongside boys. “Skins” as Osborne is affectionately known, is humble about her trophy cabinet which boasts a runner up fairest and best from the Morley Bulldogs Junior Football Club she played for, best in the finals for her senior club, Swan Districts, and captaincy of two state teams – the 16s Schoolgirls and in the following year, the U18 Youth Girls.
Her aspirations in footy are more around being a good role model for younger players and yet she is not even 19 years old herself yet! “I would like to play at the highest level possible and help grow the game for females,” Osborne commented.
And having the opportunity to beat the Vics again is also front and centre in her aspirations.
