DESPITE having an incredible bottom-age season both for Subiaco and Western Australia, key forward/ruck Olivia Wolmarans is all about the team focus. The top-age prospect is a member of the National Academy, having earned best afield honours in the Under 17 Futures game, kicked the most goals for her state at the national carnival, and booted half a dozen majors in a game for the Lions.

The latter was the first of those achievements, coming way back in Round 1 of the 2024 WAFLW season. Up against East Perth, Wolmarans looked unstoppable up forward, kicking 6.1 from 17 disposals. She would finish the year with 15.19, including goals in seven of her 13 matches, but her first outing was unforgettable.

“I don’t know how I did that, I’m still shocked to this day,” the humble Wolmarans said. “I think it was a just a good environment, Subi girls, good coach it just helped me with that.”

The West Australian was unsurprisingly a star for the Sangropers inside 50, providing a target for them, particularly against Vic Country and then South Australia. While her state side would go through the carnival winless, she enjoyed the experience and said had they gelled a little quicker, it could have been even better.

“It was a new team, so we just had to get a feel for each other first, but once we clicked, we were really good,” Wolmarans said. “Goals were just lucky, it’s not all about the game, it’s just about performance, but it’s good to get a game.”

Most of the 2024 Sangropers forwardline will reconvene at the national championships this year, and Wolmarans hopes the experience of last season, along with some early focus on team bonding will assist in getting them ready from the start.

“We’ll see once the champs have started, but we’re just trying to develop the younger girls and just get that click again,” Wolmarans said. “Not like last state where we took too long to click, so we’re just working on being leaders now and just following the girls through in our footsteps.”

Now into her top-age season, the Subiaco tall hopes to take over from the past West Australian leaders and provide a guiding voice for her younger peers.

“I think I’ve developed more as a leader,” Wolmarans said. “I was always the bottom-ager, so I was always just following the girls, and now while following those girls with some good girls such as Zippy (Fish), Jaime Henry, now I’m that person and now I’m just going to be a good leader for the other girls.”

Her form from the national carnival translates to the Futures game where the talented prospect could not wipe the smile off her face after being awarded best on ground for her side.

“I was actually really happy about that,” Wolmarans said. “I think I was just smiling the whole time holding that medal on the plane back, but that was another really good experience getting to go to Geelong with those girls. “It’s not just me that kicks the goals, it’s the team that helps me get the goals.”

An invite to the National Academy followed, with Wolmarans recalling fondly of the moment she received the call.

“I was on my way to Starbucks and Tarkyn (Lockyer, Academy head coach) calls me and I’m just with my grandma and I’m just screaming like “Yes, Yes!”,” she said. “It was really good getting that call, really proud of myself and my family.”

For an AFLW Draft prospect who has already achieved so much, the drive to go to the next level is strong, but she remains grounded as she looks to become as strong as she can be from a holistic point of view.

“Obviously trying to get drafted (is my main goal), but I think more on the leadership wise, I want to be a leader for people instead of just being a player,” Wolmarans said. “I want to be a team player and that’s my goal for this year.”