Freo AFLW players Dana Hooker, Ebony Antonio and Kirby Bentley will be pitted against their captain Kara Donnellan in the NAB AFL Women’s State of Origin match, to be held on Saturday 2 September at Etihad Stadium.
The match between the Allies and Victoria will be played as a part of the Celebration of Football week, held during the pre-finals bye of the AFL season.
The initial squads are based on the 2017 Virgin Australia AFL Women’s All Australian squads, which included Hooker, Antonio, Bentley and Donnellan.
Donnellan, who has previously captained WA in AFLW exhibition matches, will represent Victoria with teams selected based on where a player is born, not which State they have played their football.
Hooker, Antonio and Bentley will line up for the Allies, and will be coached by Adelaide’s senior AFLW coach Bec Goddard with Fremantle senior coach Michaelle Cowan an assistant.
WAWFL products Chelsea Randall (Adelaide), Sabrina Frederick-Traub (Brisbane), Jess Wuetschner (Brisbane), Emma King (Collingwood) and Emma Swanson (GWS) will also represent the Allies.
Goddard said she was looking forward to putting the best team forward to compete against the Victorians.
“The match will be a great spectacle, it’s a great way to kick off September and showcase women’s football,” Goddard said.
Debbie Lee, who will coach the Victorian team, said she was looking forward to the showcase.
“It’s great to see the tradition of State of Origin football continued. It has always been revered by football supporters and the women’s match will be no different,” she said.
“Following the success of the NAB AFL Women’s season I would encourage all footy fans to come along and watch.
“Playing the match at Etihad Stadium will allow football supporters to see the best of the best and it will be a highlight of the Celebration of Football week.”
An Under-18 State of Origin match will be played as a curtain-raiser featuring players in the All Australian squad. The NAB AFL Women’s Under-18 All Australian team will be announced after the match.
