Ella Roberts Suffers Injury in West Coast Match
The 21-year-old midfielder was forced from the field early during the final game of the AFLW season.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Basketball
West Coast midfielder Ella Roberts sustained a right knee injury just five minutes into the team's final match of the season against Hawthorn. Roberts was assisted from the field by medical staff and did not return to the game.
Why it matters
The injury concludes a difficult season for West Coast, which failed to qualify for the AFLW finals series. The club has announced it will provide further details on the player's condition following the conclusion of the round 12 fixture.
The injury occurred just 5 minutes into the round 12 match for the 21-year-old West Coast player. West Coast finished its season without qualifying for the AFLW finals series.
The players
Ella Roberts
She is a 21-year-old midfielder who competes in the AFLW.
West Coast
This is a professional Australian rules football club that competes in the AFLW.
Hawthorn
This is a professional Australian rules football club that competes in the AFLW.
The details
Roberts suffered the injury while attempting to change direction, causing her right knee to buckle. She was immediately attended to by medical personnel before being helped from the pitch.
Timeline
The injury occurred on 31 October 2026.
The match took place during round 12 of the 2026 season.
Season Trajectory
This injury serves as the final, frustrating bookend to the 2026 AFLW season for West Coast. With the club having already missed the finals series, this incident shifts the focus entirely toward medical recovery and roster management for the upcoming off-season.
The injury leaves West Coast without one of its key midfielders for the remainder of the round 12 fixture. Fantasy coaches and team supporters must now await official diagnostic results to understand the impact on the player's availability for the next pre-season period.
The takeaway
Sudden injuries during a match highlight the physical risks inherent in professional football even in the final rounds of a season. Players and coaching staff will now shift their attention from match results to long-term injury recovery protocols.
Further reading
For more information on the league, visit the Basketball section.
