SUBIACO stormed to a 95-point thrashing over East Perth to make a statement on the opening day of the WAFL Women’s 2024 season. While there were no shortage of impressive performers, the pick of the bunch was bottom-age forward Olivia Wolmarans who booted six goals in the win, including three majors in the third term to blow out the margin and ensure the Lions came away with a huge victory.

Wolmarans is an ultra-athletic forward with great hands and a knack for goal. She is still growing into her frame and building that consistency, but was far too good both in the air and at ground level for her opponents on the weekend, and started her season with a bang inside 50.

Subiaco, Western Australia GirlsRuck Forward

Olivia Wolmarans

Height: 180cm

Weight: -

DOB: 02-09-2007

PLAYER FOCUS

Subiaco 18.8 (116) defeated East Perth 3.3 (21)

#22 Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)
Stats: 17 disposals (10 kicks, 7 handballs), 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 hitout, 3 inside 50s, 6 goals, 1 behind

FIRST QUARTER

It did not take long for Wolmarans to make an impact in the game, kicking her first goal after winning it just 28 seconds after the first bounce. She broke through a tackle and slotted a goal on the run that bounced home to get the side up and about.

Wolmarans would kick her second major near the end of the term, after getting on the end of a team play and snapping it off the right once she was close to the big sticks. Though the two goals were the highlights, Wolmarans did push up to the wing at one stage and won a couple of handballs in a one-two. Even on the odd occasion she was beaten for the ball at ground level, the tall would apply pressure to the opposition.

SECOND QUARTER

Wolmarans first featured four and a half minutes into the term, getting her hands to it at ground level but just being bumped off it. After a comparatively quiet start to the quarter compared to the first, Wolmarans pushed up the ground to the wing and won a free kick. She delivered to a contest that was effective enough, then kept pushing forward, got held for another free this time inside 50 and delivered a pinpoint pass to a teammate.

In the final minute of the term, she won it in the middle through transition to handball clear then went hard forward to dive on the loose ball at ground level around a stoppage to punch clear for a teammate to win. Just before the siren, Wolmarans found space in the pocket and took an easy uncontested mark 30m out when her opponent did not go with her and she duly delivered from an angle.

THIRD QUARTER

The third term is where Wolmarans’ performance went from impressive to outstanding. She kicked three goals in the quarter, starting with a point blank major after a free kick for a great tackle, and 25m penalty for not receiving the ball back taking her to the goal line.

Five minutes later, the Subiaco tall had a clean take off an awkward handball in her direction but steadied to turn around and slot the goal. She had a few more lively moments including having to compete against two opponents and still bring it to ground, then pushing deeper once her teammates had won it to get it back via a handball. She was rushed with her kick though and it swung to the right for her solitary behind on the day.

She won another touch at the 15 and a half minute mark when she won a handball after a teammate smothered it, then moments later played the role of defender with a timely spoil to keep it inside the attacking 50. She was rewarded with a sixth goal in the 17th minute when she leapt above an opponent to clunk a huge mark 15m out and make no mistake.

FOURTH QUARTER

The fourth term was Wolmarans’ quietest but to be fair the sting had well and truly come out of the game. Though she did not add to her 6.1 score at three quarter time, she still won the ball in transition in the 14th minute and was able to kick it to a dangerous spot with a one-on-one in the goalsquare.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Overall Wolmarans is developing into a nice prospect for next year. She is not the complete package just yet, ironing out the consistency and growing into her key position frame. Still, for her development she has been an ultra-exciting tall in a similar athletic mould to Amy Franklin and will gain plenty of confidence from her six-goal haul to take forward against stronger opponents such as East Fremantle this weekend.