BACK for another year, Rookie Me Central’s 24 to Watch in 2024 returns and this year, the focus is on underage players, being those who are yet to have an AFLW Draft chance. For the list of 2024, it will range between players who are predominantly 2006 (top-age) and 2007-born likely to take the WAFL Women’s by storm or set themselves up for the future.

An incredibly promising junior who had her first WAFL Women’s season cut short due to injury, bottom-age talent Carys D’Addario is one to watch in 2024. She stands at 170cm and has an array of weapons that led her to winning the Rogers Cup goalkicking in 2022 and her club’s best and fairest at that level in the same season, before managing four games prior to injury in 2023.

CARYS D’ADDARIO PROFILE

DOB: 01/03/2007
Height: 170cm
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Club: Swan Districts

SUMMARY

D’Addario started off her debut WAFL Women’s season on fire, racking up 17 disposals, three marks and seven tackles in an incredible debut against Peel Thunder. She backed that up with a 12-disposal effort against Subiaco in Round 2, before taking her game to another level in Round 3 with a mammoth 21 disposals, six marks and five tackles against reigning premiers Claremont.

It was an incredible shame that a week later would be the last time D’Addario ran out in the black and whites for season 2023, booting two goals against South Fremantle in Round 4. It robbed the talented tall of further development on-field, but her form – backing up from her impressive Rogers Cup season of 18 goals in 11 games – suggested she has enormous upside for the future.

Though perhaps flying under the radar outside Western Australia for the 2025 AFLW Draft crop, she is one not to be forgotten given her weapons include her booming kick, clean hands and smarts around the ground to find the ball against any opponents. When forward, she is so good overhead and knows where the goals are, though she will likely develop into a hybrid player going forward.

Still two full seasons away from being draft eligible, D’Addario will be hoping for some continuity on the injury front in 2024, and she will no doubt be a key member of not only the Swan Districts side, but the West Australian state team as well.

WAFLW 24 TO WATCH IN 2024:

>> Jorja Haines (Peel Thunder)
>> Megan Norbury (West Perth)
>> Juliet Kelly (Claremont)
>> Kaitlyn Roper (West Perth)
>> Tiani Teakle (East Fremantle)
>> Dakota Sexton (Peel Thunder)
>> Alira Fotu (South Fremantle)
>> Holly Britton (Peel Thunder)
>> Jasmine Bazeley (South Fremantle)
>> Sienna Gerardi (Swan Districts)
>> Grace Freeman (East Fremantle)