WESTERN Australia was the first side to finish its AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships campaign, capping off the four-game carnival with two wins after two losses. The Sandgropers had their chances in every match, though ultimately fell short against Queensland and South Australia before knocking off Vic Metro and the Allies.

>> FULL SQUAD: 2025 Western Australia AFLW Under 18s

RESULTS

RECORD: 2-2 | 98.2% | LLWW

Game 1: def. by Queensland 8.8 (56) to 9.5 (59)
Game 2: def. by South Australia 4.6 (30) to 8.2 (50)
Game 3: def. Vic Metro 4.4 (28) to 3.6 (24)
Game 4: def. Allies 7.4 (46) to 3.12 (30)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Western Australia lead for the entirety of its match against Queensland before a late Georja Davies goal from the final kick of the game denied the Sandgropers a win. South Australia then came from behind to run over the top of an inaccurate WA in game two, before turning it around later against Vic Metro in incredibly blustery conditions. The Sandgropers evened the ledger funnily enough despite being outplayed for forward half ascendancy, but were far more effective going inside 50 against the Allies.

WHAT WORKED

The midfield group for the most part stepped up with Carys D’Addario, Renee Morgan, Mia Russo and Juliet Kelly providing a rock solid on-ball core, while bottom-aged ruck Cara Dziegielewski really held her own for the most part. The half-back line which was lead by Olivia Crane and Maya Louvel-Finn was reliable, while up forward Olivia Wolmarans and Alicia Blizard had their ups and downs but remained a threat inside 50.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Carys D’Addario (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 168cm | 01/03/2007

Averages: 21.8 disposals, 1.3 marks, 5.5 tackles, 6.3 clearances, 2.5 inside 50s

A deserving MVP, D’Addario was clearly the most consistent player across the four games as a crucial inside midfielder. Her stoppage craft, strength and clean hands stand out, as does her reliable and powerful kick going forward. She starred at the coalface, but got involved in transition on the outside as well. A really big carnival after missing her past two and certainly lifted her draft stocks.

LEADING GOALKICKER

Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)
Key Forward | 180cm | 02/09/2007

Averages: 12.5 disposals, 4.3 marks, 2.3 tackles, 1.8 inside 50s, 1.5 goals

It was a bit of an up-and-down carnival for the naturally gifted Wolmarans, with her bookended games against Queensland (two goals) and Allies (four) where she piled on the goals to take out her club’s leading goalkicker award. Otherwise she kicked 0.4 in the remaining matches, but had her chances, and even when not hitting the scoreboard, looked a threat inside 50 for the Sandgropers.

RISING PROSPECT

Maya Louvel-Finn (East Fremantle)
Defender | 169cm | 20/03/2007

Averages: 12.3 disposals, 2.0 marks, 5.0 tackles, 3.8 rebound 50s

Plenty to choose from in this category, but the performance of Louvel-Finn in the last game against Majella Day was crucial in helping Western Australia get across the line. She reads the play well, is strong both in the air and at ground level and has a penetrating and efficient kick. Boasting remarkable athleticism for a strong one-on-one player, there is plenty of like about Louvel-Finn’s upside too.

ONES TO WATCH

Western Australia has a stack of draftable talent in 2025 with the state’s strongest cohort yet. Headlined by the six National Academy members in Wolmarans, Russo, Evie Cowcher, Crane, Alira Fotu and Blizard as well as D’Addario and Lucy Greenwood just for a start. Then there’s Morgan and Louvel-Finn who have both staked their cases, with Kelly, Ella Gilbey and Layla Quinn-Schofield the next group after that.

THE FUTURE

Dziegielewski and fellow West Perth prospect Lexi Strachan are the two names to really remember for next year from the Sandgropers. Though the crop is not as strong at the top-end as in 2025, there still is talent there with Perth’s Mia Carlshausen and Mel Grage, East Perth’s Charli Bassett, Peel Thunder’s Heidi Ireland, South Fremantle’s Marie Polimeno and East Fremantle’s Avuya Nomlatyu all amongst the 2008-born crop.