FIVE State Academy members took part in the WAFL Women’s action over the weekend with just one – West Australian Under 18s MVP Carys D’Addario – able to walk away a winner and into the 2025 WAFLW Grand Final. We recap how each of the prospects performed in the penultimate match of the season.

Subiaco:

#8 Olivia Crane (Defender)
Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50

Crane had a mixed bag of a day, though did well with her positioning and reading of the play as one would expect. Often under intense pressure, the usually effective Crane did make a few errors by foot, but also looked to gain distance and open up the play at times. Competed both at ground level and in the air and tried hard for the full four quarters.

#22 Olivia Wolmarans (Forward)
Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

After a quiet first half, Wolmarans looked like being a match-winner with two second half goals including a long-range bomb from 40m after a great one-on-one mark. Cutting the deficit back to eight points with that kick, she then set up Ruby Hobbs with a kick to her advantage close to goal in order to give Subiaco the unlikeliest of sniffs late. Did give away a couple of late free kicks with bumps from frustration, but overall looked dangerous in the front half when having the opportunities.

#24 Sunni-Quay Peters (Defender)
Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles

Did not see a lot of it, and just played her role in the back 50, looking to flick out a handball to a teammate while under pressure, or aiming to throw it on the boot to clear the danger. Her defensive pressure at ground level was a highlight, and competed well one-on-one.

#27 Layla Quinn-Schofield (Forward)
Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Had her moments throughout the match where she was able to set others up for shots on goal, then had a couple herself. While an initial snap from 25m out looked on target, it was stopped in the goalsquare, though her second attempt – a set shot from 40m after winning a holding the ball free kick – sailed past the hands on the line. Her physicality and defensive pressure in the front half was a feature, and she always put her body on the line even if it didn’t benefit her, but instead her team.

Swan Districts:

#5 Carys D’Addario (Midfielder)
Stats: 26 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Hard to fault her performance, or season really with D’Addario having another starring role in a Swan Districts win. The Under 18s MVP was not overawed by the occasion, not only matching it with Dhara Kerr Medal favourite Krstel Petrevski, but winning the head-to-head battle and having some crucial touches. Her opening goal – the first in the game – opened the flood gates for her side, with her first major of 2025 being a 40m snap coming at the perfect time. She set up a couple more and saved some as well up the other end, brilliant performance.