ANOTHER season of WAFLW Women’s action is just around the corner, with the season kicking off on March 28. As we did with the SANFL Women’s competition, Rookie Me Central will count down 15 players to watch in the upcoming year, focusing on either top-age or bottom-age prospects to keep in mind.

We continue our top 15 players to watch countdown – which will run over the three weeks to finish on the eve of the WAFL Women’s season – with high-upside tall India Bonadeo who starred at the Under 16s carnival a few years back but due to a combination of injuries and being in the dominant Claremont program, is yet to really breakout at League level.

Claremont

India Bonadeo

Height: 174cm

Weight: -

DOB: 05-08-2008

Positional Analysis

Bonadeo caught the attention of plenty at the 2023 AFLW Under 16 Championships when as a bottom-ager she starred at Arden Street. An athletic tall, Bonadeo has proven she can play anywhere on the field be it forward, back or in the middle and impact accordingly. She scored a WAFLW debut last seoasn for the Tigers and did not look out of place with 13 touches, three marks and three tackles, but is set to add to that games tally in 2026.

2025 Stats

WAFLW | 13.0 disposals | 3.0 marks | 3.0 tackles | 1.0 inside 50s (1 game)

AFLW U18s | DNP

Key Strengths

As she has shown throughout her career, Bonadeo has no problems finding the ball in any area of the ground. While cracking in for a debut has been tough – and injury has also delayed her from that – Bonadeo has looked that class above at Rogers Cup level. Back in 2024, she showed her ball-winning ability and natural smarts alongside the recently drafted Mia Russo with 24 touches, seven clearances, five inside 50s and a goal against Vic Country.

At her size, Bonadeo is strong overhead, incredibly versatile and looks a massive threat any time the ball is in her area. She oozes X-factor and goal sense inside 50, and can also read the play well behind the ball.

2026

It will be a fascinating watch on Bonadeo for 2026, with the Claremont youngster likely to cement her spot in the super side providing she can remain healthy and injury free. Given her versatility, she and fellow Tigers gun Hannah Seaborn are likely to cause all sorts of headaches for the opposition, particularly if paired together up forward.

Bonadeo will adapt to senior level with time, and add to her solitary one League game last season, which was on top of her seven Rogers Cup matches. It is easy to see her explode up this list – and draft boards – if she can find that continuity and really impress in such a strong side. She got her chance at the Under 17 Futures game as well and looked very comfortable in the front half.

Summary

India Bonadeo is the great unknown in terms of having less exposure than others on this list, but is enormously gifted and if the Under 16s were a glimpse of what she is capable of, then watch out. It has not been the easiest road since, playing just eight regular season matches in the last two years, but her class should rise to the top, and if she stays fit, could be the bolter in this year’s draft.