AFLW: West Coast defender Beth Schilling inks three-year contract extension after career-best season

West Coast defender Beth Schilling has inked a three-year contract extension while Zoe Wakfer and Sanne Bakker have re-signed until the end of 2026.

Schilling, 21, had a breakout 2024 season by playing a career-high 10 games as a strong key defender for the Eagles, finishing fourth in the club champion award and earning a rising star nomination.

The Peel Thunder product will now be at the Eagles until at least the end of the 2027 season.

Wakfer, 20, is also coming off a career-best 11-game season down back for the Eagles under new coach Daisy Pearce, including a 17-disposal outing against Fremantle in the western derby.

Bakker, 19, is the feel-good story after coming in as an injury-replacement player ahead of the season and impressing in 11 games with her intensity and athleticism, having been a former national 800m and 1500m runner.

“A big focus this off-season was to continue to retain our best young talent and extending Beth, Zoe and Sanne’s contracts was a priority,” AFLW List Manager Jordan Loxley said.

“Beth and Zoe have shown incredible improvement this season, finishing fourth and sixth respectively in our Club Champion after being in and out of the side last year.

“It’s not only a testament to their hard work, but the ability of our coaches to get the best out of them, particularly Daisy (Pearce) and their line coach Martene (Pearman).

“Sanne was playing local footy 12 months ago and for her to come into the program and play every game was very impressive.

“As a first-year player, Sanne’s ability to sacrifice her own game to play a role that benefits the team is rare to find and we think she has a long career ahead of her.”