Friend makes AFL Saints debut

Former Horsham Saints footballer Ella Friend made her much-anticipated debut for St Kilda against West Coast as the Saints returned to the main stage after a two-week absence.

Friend, taken at pick four at last year’s AFL Women’s Draft, was joined by the returning Caitlin Greiser and Jess Matin, with defenders Alice Burke and Lucy Burke, both omitted, and Olivia Vesely, managed, coming out of the line-up.

A versatile prospect with a clean left-foot, Friend plays as an intercept defender, a tall forward or winger, with the former likely to be her main post during her debut season.

Tuesday’s match at Trevor Barker Beach Oval was St Kilda’s first game since round three, with its previously scheduled fixtures against West Coast and GWS called off due to the latter two sides entering AFL Health and Safety Protocols.