Things are looking up for West’s Women

By ZAC MILBANK

West Adelaide is primed to play in its first Statewide Super Women’s League finals series, with the return of a dangerous duo set to be a major boost in 2020.

Prolific midfielder Rachelle Martin (pictured above) and Crows AFLW premiership utility Rachael Killian are poised to have a major influence at Hisense Stadium next season.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, West’s midfield coach Daniel Caire said he was looking forward to working with ball magnet Martin, who missed the majority of the 2019 campaign with a knee injury.

A proven performer in the Statewide Super Women’s League, Martin is set to team up with another diminutive Bloods on-baller in Abbie Ballard.

Killian, 25, only played three matches for the NT Thunder in 2019 but is itching to rejoin SANFL ranks where she will be chiefly used as a key forward by new West Women’s coach Mark Moody.

Caire, who played in West’s drought-breaking League premiership in 2015, has shifted portfolios from defence to the centre square for 2020.

The SANFL 200 Club member has earmarked 15-year-old Keeley Kustermann as one to watch next season, with the teenager putting her impressive running power on display at preseason training.

An accomplished 800m athlete, Kustermann comfortably won the Bloods’ 2km Time Trial and is on the radar to play a similar role to new Crows AFLW draftee Madison Newman across half-back.

Newman, and fellow 2019 AFLW draftee Chelsea Biddell, could still be spending time in the red and black as they strive for Crows selection in their first year amid an elite environment.