Margaret River product Ella Roberts wins West Coast’s club champion award and earns All Australian selection

Margaret River product Ella Roberts has received more recognition for her magnificent 2024 AFLW season, with the young superstar winning West Coast’s club champion award and being selected in the All Australian side. Fresh off being named in the competition’s 22under22 team for the second time last week, the 19-year-old was crowned as the Eagles’ best and fairest player for the first time on Saturday night, beating out last season’s winner Charlie Thomas. A spot on the wing in the side selected from the competition’s best players then followed on Monday night, which saw her become just the second West Coast player behind Thomas to earn an All Australian blazer. Roberts said she was “super honoured” to win the club champion award. “This bunch of girls has been, without a doubt, the most talented bunch of girls I’ve ever played football with. I think it’s also been the most fun I’ve ever had playing footy,” she said. “I think regardless of the fact we didn’t finish the season the way we wanted to, we should be really proud of everything we showed this year. “I can’t wait to get back to work next year already.” The 19-year old also paid tribute to line coaches Baker Denneman and Rohan McHugh while reserving praise for senior coach Daisy Pearce, saying it was an “absolute privilege to learn” under the women’s football legend in her first year at the helm. After Roberts’ All Australian selection, Pearce said the rising star was just getting started. “Ella’s weapons and natural instincts for the game are incredible,” she said. “She brings so much excitement to the competition and it’s a privilege to get to see her do what she does up close. “As coaches, we love working with someone as competitive as Ella and who, at only 19 years of age, is really driven to see the team succeed.” Bunbury’s Beth Schilling was rewarded for her breakout season with a fourth-placed finish in West Coast’s club champion award. The Carey Park product played only seven games across her first three seasons at the top level but locked down a place in the side as an intercept defender this year, earning a nomination for the league’s Rising Star award in round two.