\u201cRepresenting the Black Swans is extra special because outside of underage talent pathways in sports, there\u2019s rarely a time you can demonstrate pride for your State,\u201d Harken said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love WA and everything it has to offer, so what better way to show it than in the game of footy that I love \u2013 West is Best!\u201d<\/p>\n
Harken has been a regular WA player, dating back seven years.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn the current format of state games, I\u2019ve played in all of them, so this will be my third time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBack in 2019 I was lucky enough to play Gold Coast in a state game when the Gold Coast Suns was about to come into the AFLW which was exciting as I was new to the sport then.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started playing in 2018 when I was 22, so no underage nationals for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old has explained what makes state footy so special.<\/p>\n
RELATED ARTICLES<\/p>\n
\u201cAt club footy you are working over an entire season to try and win that elusive premiership,\u201d Harken said.<\/p>\n
\u201cState games are about who can come together quickly and have one opportunity to prove they are the best, no second chances.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are playing with the best players from WA, who the weekend before were your rivals, but on one weekend of the year are your teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn club footy you have built connections over months and years of training, with clear game plans and structures developed over time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe state game is about coming together and bringing all the strengths you were picked for and showcasing that with another 20 of the state\u2019s best, so how cool is that?\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Harken, the challenge of forming a bond with opposition players isn\u2019t as daunting as some may believe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the development pathways and experience of players in the league these days, it\u2019s not often you don\u2019t know a player from another club, particularly when they are some of their best players,\u201d Harken said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we all love footy and want the same outcome from the game, it\u2019s really easy to flick the switch between teammates and rivals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been really open from the start around our identity, the way we want to play and have even done some in-training team building to get to know each other\u2019s strengths.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn only a few sessions, we really have gelled as a team and are getting the most out of our time together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having seen and been part of the growth of the ATCO WAFLW competition, Harken is confident that will translate into a strong performance against South Australia, reversing the result of 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe WAFLW gets better and better every year, and I may be biased, but I don\u2019t know if the other leagues, let alone the SANFLW, have developed at such a rate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe talent we are producing is off the charts and the hunger to continue putting WA on the map is greater than ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this year in particular we have a great balance of experience, youth, speed and strength, and will play an exciting brand of footy that will get us over the line.\u201d<\/p>\n
Given her vast playing experience, Harken is also inspiring the next generation as a Development Coach of the State Talent Program for the 18s Girls at WA Football.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been lucky enough to get the opportunity to share some of my footy experience and knowledge with the next generation of WA footy stars,\u201d Harken enthused.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust like I always want my footy to grow, I have a passion for helping and seeing others grow, and that\u2019s exactly why I\u2019m getting involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is so much talent coming through, and if I can help pass even a little bit of my knowledge with these girls, I\u2019m hoping it helps them get a step closer to their goals and dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her top priority this weekend is to be part of winning state team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved playing at Optus, but there\u2019s something about playing at Sullivan Logistics Stadium that gets me even more excited,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t wait to have thousands of not just fans, but friends and family, right near the boundary donning the yellow and black.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith big gaps between games at Optus the crowd didn\u2019t feel the same as what I\u2019m hoping it will be at Leederville.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing and hearing your loved ones in the crowd is extra special and I can\u2019t wait for three huge games and hopefully three wins.\u201d<\/p>\n
ATCO are the official naming rights partner for the 2026 WAFLW Season. Watch all ATCO WAFLW matches live and free on YouTube @WAFLOfficial and head to wafl.com.au to purchase tickets for upcoming games. \u00a0<\/p>\n
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