Debbie Lee and Bec Goddard to coach State of Origin sides
The AFL today announced that Debbie Lee and Bec Goddard will coach the Victorian and Allies teams in the NAB AFL Women’s State of Origin match during the ‘Celebration of Football’ week.
(Debbie Lee at a Melbourne training session. PHOTO: AFL Photos)
The match will be played at 7.40pm on Saturday September 2 at Etihad Stadium and will be broadcast live across the country on the Seven Network and Fox Footy. Like the inaugural AFLW season, entry to the match will be free of charge.
The initial squads for the game are based on the 2017 Virgin Australia AFL Women’s All Australian squad. Additional players are to be announced in the coming weeks. Selection is also based on where a player is born, not which state they are currently playing in.
In a statement, Debbie Lee said she was excited to be coaching the Victorian team.
“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.
(Debbie Lee presents Bec Goddard with a premiership medal at the AFLW Grand Final. PHOTO: AFL Photos)
Fresh from coaching the undefeated Under 18 Allies team, Bec Goddard said she was looking forward to taking on Victoria.
“Coaching in South Australia, I understand how passionate South Australians are about their footy and nothing burns deeper than a fierce contest against Victoria,” Goddard said.
“The match will be a great spectacle, it’s a great way to kick off September and showcase women’s football.”
To complete the showcase of women’s football, 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.
Victorian Squad
Sarah Perkins - Adelaide
Kaitlyn Ashmore - Brisbane
Brianna Davey - Carlton
Darcy Vescio - Carlton
Alison Downie - Carlton
Danielle Hardiman - Carlton
Nicola Stevens - Carlton
Sarah D'Arcy - Collingwood
Jess Cameron - Collingwood
Kara Donnellan - Fremantle
Jess Dal Pos - GWS Giants
Alicia Eva - GWS Giants
Karen Paxman - Melbourne
Daisy Pearce - Melbourne
Melissa Hickey - Melbourne
Lily Mithen - Melbourne
Jasmine Grierson - Melbourne
Ellie Blackburn - Western Bulldogs
Emma Kearney - Western Bulldogs
Hannah Scott - Western Bulldogs
Allies Squad
Chelsea Randall - Adelaide
Erin Phillips - Adelaide
Ebony Marinoff - Adelaide
Courtney Cramey - Adelaide
Sabrina Frederick-Traub - Brisbane
Emily Bates - Brisbane
Tayla Harris - Carlton
Emma Zielke - Brisbane
Jess Wuetschner - Brisbane
Kate McCarthy - Brisbane
Leah Kaslar - Brisbane
Sam Virgo - Brisbane
Emma King - Collingwood
Ebony Antonio - Fremantle
Kirby Bentley - Fremantle
Dana Hooker - Fremantle
Erin McKinnon - GWS Giants
Emma Swanson - GWS Giants
Renee Tomkins - GWS Giants
Elise O'Dea - Melbourne
