AFLW Player #30: Steph "Killa" Wales 🐳 - Killin' it, 3rd in the BnF! - Re-signs for 4 years! - 7/3

[Harlequin]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2023
My Girl Draft 2023: Pick 8, eth-dog

 

[RedmanWasHere]

From the Casey Demons (formerly the Springvale Scorpions,) Stephanie Wales, like twin sister Lucy, who went to the Hawks earlier, was somewhat of a bolter.

I hadn't heard of either twin until Wednesday night.

Ashes to ashes.
Wales to Wales.

 

[Lore]

Stephanie Wales, who is a twin (Lucy was drafted to Hawthorn at pick 22)

 

[eth-dog]

Apparently a ruck?

 

[Lore]

 

[Lore]

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Essendon has the better Wales twin.

 

[Lore]

Killer Wales lol




She’s got 3 goals as a ruck and it’s not half time yet. Rising Star nomination coming?

 

[Lore]

 

[Lore]

No rising star nod (despite there being two per week in AFLW due to the shortened season).

Robbed.

 

[Bombermania]

I have admit the club got this section right.

 

[Albertross]

No rising star nod (despite there being two per week in AFLW due to the shortened season).

Robbed.

WTAF!!! I can't see who has been nominated yet, so bit harsh to pass comments on those girls, but jeez, she played a very good game.

 

[The Prosecutor]

No rising star nod (despite there being two per week in AFLW due to the shortened season).

Robbed.

9 coaches votes too.

 

[Albertross]

9 coaches votes too.

Also made the AFLW team if the week, along with Paige Scott (both as forwards) and Maddy Prespakis on the bench.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Don't have to be dead to be stiff.

 

[Lore]

These are the two that got nominated

 

[Lore]

Finally gets her nom

 

[eth-dog]

My girl!

 

[Harlequin]

Well done Steph

 

[bennyg12]

Great young player well done

 

[Lore]

react video

 

[Lore]

Rising Star award (presented by Andrew Phillips!) is Steph Wales

 

[Lore]

Interviewed on SEN, apparently didn't like rucking too much

For someone who started as a reluctant ruck, Steph Wales has become an integral presence in the middle for the Bombers entering her second AFLW season.

Standing at 188cm, Wales’ athleticism was on display in the Bombers’ round one win over Hawthorn, gathering 11 disposals and four clearances to go with 19 hit-outs in a solid opening outing.

The 20-year-old told SEN Breakfast that although the ruck wasn’t her favoured position throughout her junior career, she’s learned to embrace her strengths and use them to advantage in the centre.

“I didn’t like it (rucking) too much in my early years of footy and always let Lucy (twin sister Lucy Wales) play in the ruck when we were on the same team,” Wales said.

“I don’t mind doing the ruck stuff but (getting) around the ground is definitely my favourite, I like getting involved with the mids.

“I’ve definitely learned to love it a lot more.”

The Bombers have an enticing weekend ahead, with their first home game of the season to be played at Windy Hill against the Saints.

With the famous ground set to host its first AFL-competition match in over 32 years, the significance of the event hasn’t been lost on Wales and the team.

“The club has been really good at slowly educating us on the history of Windy Hill and why it’s so important we get back there,” Wales said.

“Hearing from some of the girls who grew up supporting Essendon, it means so much to them, so it’s pretty insane that we’re going to head back there and continue creating history.”

Harlequin Cam's GoFundMe got a mention too. Good to see the AFL media getting behind it;

In the midst of an exciting period for the club, Wales and her family have been forced to endure significant challenges over the past two months.

Steph and Lucy’s younger brother Cameron Wales suffered a serious spinal injury on holiday overseas back in July, resulting in incomplete quadriplegia.

With a difficult period of recovery ahead, the Wales family is staying strong.

“(Cameron) spent six weeks over in Italy recovering and has now made it back to Australia, so it’s been really good to have him home,” Wales said.

“He’s had to have another surgery to stabilise everything, but he’s in really good spirits and he’s helping us all get through it with his positivity.

“We’re going to need a lot of help, but the support so far has been absolutely amazing and humbling. It’s great to know so many people love and support him.”

You can donate and show support for Cameron and the wider Wales family via the GoFundMe page here.

Wales excited to ‘continue creating history’

Bombers ruck relishing Windy Hill return.

www.essendonfc.com.au

Steph (@stephaniewales_) • Instagram photos and videos

1,566 Followers, 841 Following, 26 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Steph (@stephaniewales_)

www.instagram.com

 

[eth-dog]

My girl again!

 

[Lore]

Got herself a second rising star nomination Harlequin eth-dog