Tiani Teakle in race to recover from injury as Tayah Palmer gets to work in Rottnest

As footy slowly returns, a couple of Mid West rising stars have already had a busy summer, including Tayah Palmer who took part in the WAFC State Academy Summer Program.

The camp on Rottnest, which included 26 players aged between 16 and 18, focused on building team unity while also serving as a scouting opportunity for selection in the upcoming national championships.

Palmer was one of just six regional players selected in the squad and the only one from the Mid West.

Elly Lambkin, talent program specialist at the WAFC, praised the players for the way they approached the various challenges.

“The commitment of the players to all activities was outstanding, with the squad learning and building strong relationships which will hold them in good stead for the upcoming 18s national championships,” Lambkin said.

Camp activities included leadership and game education, photo sharing, Pilates, a team beach carnival, team island walk, footy touch session, mini golf and a session exploring why the girls play footy.

The final squad for 2023 18s national championships will be announced late next month ahead of the match against South Australia on April 30.

In other East Fremantle news, fellow Mid West star Tiani Teakle is in a race to recover in time for the start of the WAFLW season.

WAFLW talent and operations manager Brenton Boddington confirmed Teakle was back running after a nasty fall in training at the end of last year.

“She landed awkwardly at training pre-Christmas, leading to fractures and ligament ruptures in her elbow,” he said.

“She is out of her brace and is currently completing a strengthening program before she is back running.”

The Sharks will start their WAFLW campaign against Claremont on March 11.