PERTH bottom-ager Mia Carlshausen has flourished in the Demons’ WAFL Women’s side with the bottom-age prospect finding a home in defence. Coming into the year, Carlshausen – who had been part of Perth’s inaugural Rogers Cup side – tipped she would play up forward and through the middle, but has spent the best part of her 2025 season down back so far.
We spoke to Carlshausen at the West Australian Preseason Testing event about her football journey, inspirations and goals for the year ahead.
Q: Mia, tell us a little bit about your footy journey?
MC: “I started at my country town. Started in the local Auskick team there with the boys and then came to Perth for boarding school and got right into my footy so it’s been good so far.”
Q: Being part of Perth just Rogers up till now, what’s it been like biding your time through that with League footy coming up?
MC: “It was obviously really good starting in the Rogers team that came through. You got to know the girls quite well and stuff like that. I’ve spoken to the League coach Jess Sedunary and she’s pretty keen and invited me to League so pretty pumped about that as well.”
Q: Jess is known for her fitness and running, how’s that been over the preseason?
MC: “Yeah good, she’s hard but she’s a good coach and she brings a lot of attributes that many other coaches not from a women’s football background can’t. She brings a lot to the coaching side.”
Q: You’ve got a few new recruits from other clubs, what’s that been like?
MC: “I think our first League side pretty young. But obviously we’ve got Jess there and she just wants us to stick to our guns and what we want to achieve this year. Not too worried but at the same time, but she’s done all that she can to help us be ready for it, so it should be good.”
Q: For you personally, what role do you see yourself playing in the team this year?
MC: “I think like an inside mid/forward role but she can throw me anywhere and I’ll be happy.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
MC: “Just being around the ball all the time and I find the ball quite well and read the play I think. That’s about it, and my kicking ability.”
Q: What about your improvements?
MC: “Definitely my fitness and probably my marking and aerial ability as well. But talked to the coaches about and do what they say.”
Q: What goals do you set throughout the year and hope to get to in the future?
MC: “Playing AFLW is definitely a dream. I guess it’s everyone’s dream at the moment, but just making those minimalist steps to be able to achieve what I want to achieve during the season and going from there when my time comes.
Q: Who’s had the most influence on your career?
MC: “Probably my dad, he’s just been there for all the time and obviously tell him my goals and he knows what I need to achieve so he goes above and beyond to be able to help me achieve those things. From a player perspective, I think a lot of the girls, one of our attributes is staying connected and through the summer program so far we’ve managed to do that in the first few weeks so it’s been good fun.”
Q: Just finally, who do you look up to at the elite level or model your game on?
MC: “Definitely Bella Lewis and Courtney Rowley. Courtney’s one of my coaches and Bella’s obviously around the club at Perth so they’re definitely been a few rolemodels that I’ve looked up to.”
