West Coast Eagles grab WA product Mia Russo with pick No.20 in AFW draft as Fremantle add three new players

West Coast have added another West Australian to their growing collection of Sandgroper talent, using their first selection in the AFLW draft on West Perth product Mia Russo. Later in the draft, the Eagles nabbed Victorian utility Jovie Skewes-Clinton with their second pick, while Fremantle used their three late selections on South Australian pair Charli Hazelhurst and Monique Bessen and Tasmanian Mia Anderson. The Eagles were slated to enter the draft at pick No.12 but saw the selection slide down to No.20 due to the first 11 picks seeing eight matched bids placed on academy-tied players. When they finally had their chance to add a player, they opted for one of their own State’s best talents in Russo, a powerful midfielder who was named in the under-18 All Australian side on the back of her strong showings for WA at this year’s national championships. Earlier in her junior career, the 18-year-old won the most valuable player award at the under-16 national championships. Ahead of the draft, Russo said she idolised another WA product in Carlton captain and two-time Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps. “I’ve always tried to be like him. I’m obviously not the size of him, but I’d like to be the type of player he is as a leader and the way he can change a game,” Russo said. “Maddy Prespakis is also someone whom I’ve looked up to.” Russo will be looking to complement an Eagles midfield corps led by two other WA juniors in Ella Roberts and Bella Lewis. With their second selection in the draft at No.36, West Coast opted for Skewes-Clinton, a Greater Western Victoria Rebels product who has spent time playing in both the forward line and defence. The Eagles were initially set to have pick No.30 but slid back in a deal which saw Swan Districts junior Lily Paterson join the club from Port Adelaide and 2024 draftee Lucy Boyd head to the Power. Fremantle’s first pick at No.35 saw them plump for Hazelhurst, a 176cm South Australian who is noted for her athleticism and impressed for the Croweaters as a key defender at the under-18 national championships. Grabbed by the Dockers at pick No.40, Bessen was a member of the AFL Academy squad who was regarded as one of the best ball-users in the draft, while no.46 selection saw Fremantle opt for attack-minded midfielder Anderson.