Bulldogs utility becomes an Eagles AFLW player

South Fremantle star Natasha Entwistle has become third ATCO WAFLW player within a month to be snapped up by an AFLW club as an injury-replacement player.

The versatile and reliable Bulldogs midfielder has signed with West Coast as a replacement for vice-captain and Claremont product Mikayla Western who’s sidelined with a long-term knee injury.

The 19-year-old utility has averaged more than 21 disposals per game this season and featured in the Kia WAFLW State Team’s breakthrough victory over the SANFL at Sullivan Logistics Stadium last month.

West Coast’s AFLW List and Recruiting Manager Jordan Loxley was excited to bring in a player of Entwistle’s quality onto the Eagles’ list, describing her as “incredibly unlucky” not to have been drafted previously.

“We believe Tash has been incredibly unlucky to miss out on being drafted over the past couple of years, but we’ve admired the way she has responded to feedback, returned to the WAFLW and consistently implemented the areas identified for improvement,” Loxley said.

“Tash is an ultra-consistent performer with a fierce competitive streak and the versatility to play across all three lines. That flexibility is a really appealing part of her game.

“Initially, we see her providing valuable depth in our backline, where her ability to match up on both tall and small opponents will be a real asset to our team.”

Entwistle joins Perth sharpshooter Poppy Stockwell (Hawthorn) and Claremont ball magnet Juliet Kelly (Adelaide) as players from the WAFLW joining AFLW clubs as injury replacements in recent weeks.