AS PART of a new series leading into the 2023 Western Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s season, we count down 23 players to watch who are under 23. We are only looking at those players who were born January 1, 2000 or later, have played a WAFL Women’s senior match and have never been on an AFL Women’s list. Today we continue our countdown at number #7 with Claremont bottom-ager Claudia Wright.

#7 Claudia Wright (Claremont)

DOB: 30/10/2006
Height: 171cm
Position: Utility
Local club: Claremont JFC

A bottom-ager who enters the season with plenty of high wraps is Claremont utility Claudia Wright. Having an impressive debut season with the eventual premiers and playing a role on grand final day, Wright is a budding star in the West Australian competition, where she has averaged 10.6 disposals, 2.1 marks, 2.2 tackles and 2.6 inside 50s.

Last season she played as a half-forward and rolled up to a wing at times, becoming that hybrid forward-midfielder or high half-forward that has become a position in itself.

What stands out about Wright’s game, and makes her one of the most promising bottom-agers in Western Australia is her evasion and footy smarts. She knows when and where to move, and is more than capable of reading the play quickly in order to get into the right spots.

In 2023, Claremont coach Jack Schwarze has earmarked a half-back role for the 16-year-old, a position she played for the Tigers against the NTFL Women’s All-Star side.

“She just has that footy nous and knack to read the play, intercept mark and provide some really good drive off half-back so she’s definitely going to be exciting,” Schwarze said.

Wright will fill the void left by Madeleine Scanlon, who stepped up to AFL Women’s level, and be among a host of rising stars at the Tigers. What she does well is evident, and while she has not had massive productions numbers to-date, it is clear she has the traits to make it to the next level.

In 2023, the next step would be finding that consistency to really drive home her strengths and take her game even further. Playing off half-back will help Wright with the production aspect, as she can still play aggressively, while using her smarts to get into ball-winning positions and burst down the ground.

At 171cm, Wright is a good size to play a range of roles, and could play midfield in the future, with the young gun not turning 17 until the end of October.

Without a doubt, Wright is one to watch, and a promising prospect for the 2024 AFL Women’s Draft.