Swan Districts, WA State 18s product to make AFLW debut

Former Swan Districts and WA State 18s representative Ava Stewart is WA’s latest AFLW debutant.

The talented defender, who was drafted with Pick No.63 at last year’s AFLW Draft, will make her debut for Adelaide against Richmond at IKON Park on Saturday night.

Adelaide Executive General Manager Women’s Football Bree Brock said the 19-year-old had earned her opportunity.

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“Ava has brought great energy to our group since arriving at the Club and has continued to build her game every week,” Brock told the club website.

“She’s an athletic player who can impact in a variety of roles, and that versatility is something we’ve really valued.

Ava Stewart in action during her WA State 18s days last season. Credit: Stefan Gosatti/AFL Photos

“We’ve been pleased with the way she’s embraced the challenges of her first year with us and continued to look for ways to improve.

“Making your debut is a special milestone and we’re thrilled she gets the chance to experience that this weekend.”

Stewart will become the 13th from the WAFLW to make their AFLW debut so far this season, following in the footsteps of Swan Districts teammates Carys D’Addario (St Kilda) and Sienna Gerardi (West Coast), East Fremantle duo Noa McNaughton (Fremantle) and Maya Louvel-Finn (St Kilda), Subiaco pair Olivia Wolmarans (Richmond) and Olivia Crane (Port Adelaide), Perth’s Fina Dethlefsen (Richmond), South Fremantle’s Natasha Entwistle (West Coast), Madi Evans (Brisbane) and Renee Morgan (Geelong), West Perth’s Mia Russo (West Coast) and Peel Thunder’s Evie Cowcher (Geelong).

Before getting drafted, Stewart tallied 27 ATCO WAFLW appearances for Swan Districts to go with 10 in the HART Sport Rogers Cup.

She was also part of the AAMI WA Football State 18s and 16s programs.