Six changes for State 18s Girls’ final against Allies

The AAMI WA Football State 18s Girls have made six changes for their final game of the AFLW National Under-18s Championship on Saturday.

The Black Swans take on the Allies at Shepley Oval in Dandenong, aiming to finish their carnival with a 2-2 record after a stunning come-from-behind victory over Vic Country in Melbourne last weekend.

Peel Thunder’s Tiama Collard, Maya Walsh and Zaide Wilson, Swan Districts’ Shaya Yarran, East Fremantle’s Sienna Lilly and West Perth’s Rikisha Nannup are the inclusions.

They come in at the expense of Subiaco pair Caitlin Boss and Marley Kelman, Claremont’s Lucy Gilbey, West Perth’s Miley Hynes and Swan Districts’ Makaela Grau, who have all been rotated out, while Peel’s Tahlia Head is out with illness.

State 18s coach Kate Orme was proud of her side’s fight in their win over Vic Country, storming home from 17 points down at three-quarter time to win by seven.

West Perth gun Lexi Strachan led the way in the midfield with a team-high 19 disposals to go with a whopping nine clearances.

Her Falcons teammate Cara Dziegielewski continued her strong carnival in the ruck as she firms for WA’s MVP award, finishing with 16 disposals and 26 hit-outs.

“I was so thrilled by the heart that the girls showed,” Orme said.

“We put some of the key pillars of our game together in the fourth quarter and we kicked four goals, so it was nice to see them get reward for effort and there’s some really bright sparks for the future of WA footy.”