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.

West Perth midfielder Mia Russo overcame a hamstring injury last season to take out the AFLW Under 16 Championships MVP and looms as one of the top bottom-agers this year. Alongside her carnival and state MVP, Russo is a two-time Rogers Cup Best and Fairest winner as well.

MIA RUSSO PROFILE

DOB: 06/08/2007
Height: 163cm
Position: Midfielder
Club: West Perth

SUMMARY

The 16-year old Russo has not wasted much time building quite the CV for both club and state over the past couple of years. Coming off a league best and fairest at Rogers Cup level in 2022, Russo only added to the trophy cabinet with the same award 12 months later, as well as winning the Best on Ground medal in the grand final where she became a premiership player.

Though restricted to Rogers Cup level, Russo showed she has what it took to match it with the best of her peers. After missing matches for the Falcons due to a hamstring injury just before the representative fortnight, Russo returned in the win over Vic Country, getting better and better as the match went on. She went a step further a week later in the Sandgropers’ loss to the Croweaters.

On-field, Russo is a powerful midfielder with a speed-endurance mix that enables her to power away from contests, and provide consistent clearance-winning efforts at stoppages. Also likely to ply her trade as a forward at WAFLW level this season, Russo is one of a number of key additions to the Falcons’ senior squad.

Though still young, Russo has done her junior apprenticeship through the Rogers Cup and will have a couple of seasons against senior bodies to prepare her for the next level. One of a number of promising bottom-age talents in Western Australia, expect her to find it a little tougher at League level compared to her ridiculously dominant Rogers Cup seasons, but should adapt in time.

WAFLW 24 TO WATCH IN 2024:

>> #6 Renee Morgan (South Fremantle)
>> #7 Olivia Crane (Subiaco)
>> #8 Natasha Entwistle (East Fremantle)
>> #9 Noa McNaughton (South Fremantle)
>> #10 Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)
>> Taya Chambers (East Fremantle)
>> Carys D’Addario (Swan Districts)
>> Jorja Haines (Peel Thunder)
>> Megan Norbury (West Perth)
>> Juliet Kelly (Claremont)
>> Kaitlyn Roper (West Perth)
>> India Bonadeo (Claremont)
>> 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)