Ella Slocombe will make her AFLW debut for the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos this Sunday afternoon when they face St Kilda at North Hobart Oval.
The promising Western Australian midfielder-forward and Claremont Tigers product was the club's first selection in the 2023 AFLW Draft, taken with pick No.26.
The 19-year-old becomes the fourth player to debut for the Kangaroos this season.
She follows in the footsteps of her teammates and housemates Blaithin Bogue (Round 1) and Amy Gavin Mangan (Round 2), and Tessa Boyd (also Round 2).
Bogue and Gavin Mangan revealed the news to Slocombe on Thursday.
North Melbourne general manager of women’s football Erin Lorenzini said Slocombe had thoroughly earned her spot.
“Ella has worked extremely hard for the best part of two years at the club, and we’re absolutely rapt for her to get this opportunity,” Lorenzini said.
“We’re confident she’ll come in and make an impact for us. She’s highly competitive and will provide a fierce contest wherever she is needed on the field.”
"It's never easy to move interstate at a young age, but Ella has taken on that challenge with a great attitude. Her growth as both a player and a person during her time here is clear evidence of that."
The extended squad for the Round 11 clash will be announced at 6.20pm on Thursday, with the full team announced at 5pm Friday.
