WA players selected in U18s Girls All AustralianThursday, August 29, 2024 - 2:03 PM

Three WA players have been named in the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships – U18 Girls All Australian team.

Peel Thunder’s Evie Cowcher, East Fremantle’s Zipporah Fish and Subiaco’s Olivia Wolmarans have all been selected.

Cowcher claimed WA’s MVP award, which was selected by the WA coaching staff.

The Marsh AFL National Championships – U18 Girls are the highest level of state and territory representative football featuring the country’s most talented under 18 female footballers. Matches were played across Australia over the past two months.

The All Australian voting panel included AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan (chair), Paul Hamilton (AFL National Talent Development & Competitions Manager), Tarkyn Lockyer (Marsh AFL National Academy Manager), Jess Smith (AFL National Female Talent Manager) and AFLW club recruiters Matthew Burton (Carlton), Ed Clark (Collingwood), Katrina Gill (Adelaide), Joseph Molluso (Essendon) and Michael Swann (Brisbane Lions).

Trent Cooper, Manager Female Talent Programs and Coaching Specialist at the West Australian Football Commission said the selection was a well-deserved reward for the players. 

“Evie’s intercept marking and rebound kicking were outstanding throughout the Championships and it was no surprise for her to be named on a half-back flank in the All Australian Side,” Cooper said.

“Zippy didn’t reach the levels of what we are used to seeing but her foot skills and decision making was still enough to catch the eyes of the selectors and she was included as part of a formidable midfield.

“Olivia, a bottom-ager like Evie, impressed with her contested marking and work-rate and her ability to hit the scoreboard saw her named as part of the All Australian team.”

WA Player Profiles:
Half Back Flank 
Evie Cowcher 
Western Australia/Peel Thunder/Pinjarra 
Date of Birth: 03/08/07; Height: 173cm 
Intercepting defender who provided run from defence and used the ball very effectively by hand and foot. Strong overhead and fearless in her attack on the ball, she averaged 16.7 disposals at 78% efficiency and 3.7 marks across the Championships. Still a bottom-aged player, she won Western Australia’s MVP award for the second year running at under 18s level as well as being selected as a back-to-back All Australian.

Wing 
Zipporah Fish
Western Australia/East Fremantle 
Date of Birth: 04/06/06; Height: 160cm 
Exciting defender/midfielder with blistering pace who showed she is prepared to take the game on and create opportunities for her team. A good decision maker with neat disposal skills, she played some exciting football across the Championships, averaging 20.3 disposals to win All Australian honours at under 18s level for the second time.

Interchange
Olivia Wolmarans 
Western Australia/Subiaco/Mt Hawthorn Cardinals 
Date of Birth: 02/09/07; Height: 180cm 
Mobile ruck/tall forward who is extremely strong overhead and dominant in one-on-one contests. Very clean below the knees and with innate goal sense, she’s another bottom aged player who was prominent throughout the Championships. She averaged 14 disposals, four marks and 1.3 goals and featured among Western Australia’s best against both Victoria Country and South Australia.