Could Queensland state league QWAFL player Katrina Scherer become first American to play in AFLW?

AMERICAN Mason Cox has become a star for Collingwood in the AFL. Could a female Queensland state league player go on to do the same by being the first from the U.S to play in the AFLW?

AMERICAN Katrina Scherer is using a stint with Bond University’s QWAFL side to build her game in the hope of becoming the first from her country to play in the AFLW.

Scherer has secured an eight-week visa to play with the Bullsharks and has already featured in two of their most recent games.

The 25-year-old Ohio native, who stands at 177cm, was identified by Brisbane Lions AFLW coach and AFL Queensland Female High Performance Manager Craig Starcevich who approached Bond University, AFLQ’s female talent sponsor.

Scherer, who played for the Columbus Cats in the United States Football League since 2016, has already impressed Bullsharks coach David Ashkar during the side’s losses to losses to finals-bound Coolangatta Tweed and Coorparoo in the past fortnight.

“She’s been a great addition to our team,” Ashkar said.

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“She has some pace and some skill. She has some size.

“Against Coorparoo, she played across half-forward in the first half and then we put her across half back.”

“Hopefully she can get drafted. That’s the goal.”

Across her two seasons at USAFL level, Scherer had established herself as one of the most damaging and versatile players in the competition, capable of playing in the ruck, forward or down back.

Scherer, who is living with Bullsharks teammate and Brisbane Lions AFL Women’s defender Arianna Clarke, represented the United States in the Women’s International Cup across five games in 2017 and was named among her country’s best players.

Now she has the opportunity to play against some of the best female footballers in Queensland while trying to forge a potential AFL Women’s career down the line.

“We thought it would be a great experience for us,” Ashkar said.

“We’re a university and we’re all about the learnings of the game so an American girl coming over to play in the top level in Queensland is just a great opportunity for her.”

Bond University are fifth on the ladder with four wins and seven losses going into Saturday’s home game against Coolangatta Tweed.

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