Charlie Thomas has become West Coast’s first-ever All-Australian after being named in the back pocket of the 2023 team.
Thomas is joined by cross-town rival – Fremantle’s Emma O’Driscoll who was named for the first time at centre-half-back.
Fresh off a breakout campaign, Thomas has an impressive CV for a 20-year-old, adding her All-Australian blazer to the club champion award she won this year.
Thomas averaged 17 touches, four marks and two intercepts a game to be the Eagles’ best player in 2023 and even kicked the first goal of her career in round nine.
“It’s very surreal, I’m honoured to be named in the team,” Thomas told the club’s website.
“I worked pretty hard in the off-season with the coaches, so it’s great to see some reward for effort.
“I’m just really keen to get back into it again next year and hopefully have some more team success.”
Meanwhile, O’Driscoll continues her incredible weekend, having finished runner-up in the Dockers’ fairest and best award just days ago.
O’Driscoll led the league in intercept possessions in 2023 with 85 in 10 games as well as averaging 17 touches.
Fremantle’s AFLW coach Lisa Webb said O’Driscoll’s confidence in her ability this season has allowed her to execute her role every week.
“Emma has a massive amount of energy and drive to improve off the field, but that’s also been evident when it comes to her ability to translate that on-field,” Webb said.
“She has found this new confidence in her ability to be able to execute her role every single week.
“Emma is really team-driven, and I’m so proud of the progress she’s made. Her best is yet to come.”
North Melbourne star Emma Kearney was named in the All-Australian time for an incredible eighth-consecutive time, having made the team in every season.
ALL-AUSTRALIAN SQUAD
Backs: Charlotte Thomas (West Coast), Chelsea Biddell (Adelaide)
Half-backs: Emma Kearney (North Melbourne), Emma O’Driscoll (Fremantle), Eilish Sheeran (Richmond)
Centres: Niamh Kelly (Adelaide), Monique Conti (Richmond), Sophie Conway (Brisbane)
Half-forwards: Chloe Molloy (Sydney), Bonnie Toogood (Essendon, vice-captain), Kate Hore (Melbourne, captain)
Forwards: Dakota Davidson (Brisbane), Danielle Ponter (Adelaide)
Followers: Ally Morphett (Sydney), Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne), Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide)
Interchange: Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast), Eden Zanker (Melbourne), Ally Anderson (Brisbane), Ash Riddell (North Melbourne), Laura Gardiner (Sydney)