THE 2022 AFL Women’s Draft is next week and already Rookie Me Central has completed profiles on all those available AFLW Draft Combine invites. In separate articles this week, we will go state by state and look at some other contenders for the AFLW Draft outside those with the invites. Next up is Western Australia, where we look at some mature-age and top-age talents available.

Mikayla Western (Claremont)

The Fremantle debutant and injury top-up player experienced AFL Women’s action already during the Dockers’ short-handed drubbing against Melbourne. Possessing some outstanding speed and impressive endurance, Western has developed her ability further up the ground to be a dual winger/half-forward and being damaging in both roles. A readymade talent with X-factor, she is arguably the pick of the bunch out of the players without a draft combine invite.

Tara Stribley (Swan Districts)

One of Western Australia’s top talents coming into the year, the winger increased her endurance and output and had a blazing start to 2022. Her numbers went up and she was hitting the scoreboard, and though her efficiency at times was a little inconsistent, she still took grass and provided plenty of run. The best top-age talent without a draft combine invite.

Tarnica Golisano (Subiaco)

The Subiaco captain could not have done much more in season 2022, leading from the front and being consistent each and every week. With an all-round game of offensive and defensive traits, Golisano cracks in and does the hard things, as well as uses the ball cleanly when disposing of it. One of the standout players throughout the WAFLW season and tasted AFLW level with the Dockets way back in 2017 as a 20-year-old.

Mylee Leitch (East Fremantle)

An exciting forward, Leitch is an overage prospect who developed well in 2022. Stepping up much like her side this season, Leitch became a prominent goalkicker and has that goal sense that catches the eye. Still with some areas to improve on, the forward became more consistent, and was cleaner and quicker with her decision making inside 50 this year, and has plenty of potential for the future. Another top-ager who might not have represented the Academy but had some great WAFLW form.

Aisha Wright (Peel Thunder)

A top-age player who opted out of the State Academy in a big year for any 18-year-old, Wright found some outstanding form in the second half of the season. Still not always consistent, when she is on, she runs hot, and can play both half-forward and wing. She has some neat athletic traits, and has the defensive mindset to match her offensive one. Even with areas to still work on, she has plenty of exciting traits.

Hayley Corlett (Subiaco)

The Subiaco half-forward is still only 19 and one who showed some promising signs for the Lions this year. Though her radar can be off at times (kicking 6.12 for the season), she creates her own chances and that of others, and can work up the ground. Earned a place in the WAFL All-Stars side after some early season form, and has been one to watch throughout 2022. An AFLW Draft smoky.

Alli Nokes (East Fremantle)

A competitive medium utility who has played at both ends of the field, Nokes is strong one-on-one and is able to fill a number of roles. She is fairly consistent across the board in terms of traits and was one of the more impressive Under 18s at the AFLW Under 18 Championships. Playing in defence, Nokes provided a strong amount of rebound, and has played at both ends for the Sharks, showcasing her versatility.

Amy Mulholland (Subiaco)

The mature-age Lions winger burst onto the scene with a brilliant debut against Peel Thunder in Round 1, and showed she could step straight into an AFLW lineup if required. Her form wavered at different times of the year, but her ability to move through traffic and seemingly able to use both sides of her body. Knowing where the goals are, the soon-to-be 29-year-old is just as comfortable inside 50.

Ashleigh Gomes (East Fremantle)

Another rock solid consistent midfielder, the East Fremantle onballer hardly played a bad game all year. Standing up in a midfield that had plenty of contributors, Gomes was able to crack in hard when required, and find space to win the ball and dispose of it cleanly. She is clean with her short passes and decision making, and just has the footy smarts to get into the right spots.

Jessica Cox (Swan Districts)

The Swan Districts captain stepped up a gear in 2022, to really knuckle down and get more involved both aerially and around the ground compared to past years. Possessing an elite kick, Cox always had that one-wood by foot, but needed to add other weapons to her game. As competitive as they come, Cox found more ball on the outside as well as in close, and is capable of slicing up defence with her penetrative boot.