MURRAY Bushrangers Carmela Perri does not shy away from the big challenges and is determined to not only get drafted, but finish the year as one of the top performing players in 2026. The Bushrangers midfielder had a big 2025 campaign and has been working hard on her overall game, with the internal belief in Perri from Murray also evident.
We spoke to Perri at the Talent League Girls Preseason Testing event about her footballing journey, game, influences and main goal for the year ahead.
Q: Carmela, give us a rundown into your footy journey?
CP: “Well I actually first starting playing soccer and then dad decided to get a boys team together so I was able to play in that from when I was nine. Then I’ve built my way up. I ended up playing with them until I was 14. Joined the girls footy club at Thurgoona Bulldogs. Then I ended up getting invited to the Murray Bushrangers preseason squad. For two years straight I actually didn’t make the squad so I ended up going back, playing girls footy and focusing on what I needed to improve on which was my fitness. Then I got invited two years ago from now to trial again and I ended up making the squad, and from then on I’ve played 16s Vic Country and hopefully going to get drafted this year.”
Q: So Thurgoona’s on New South Wales border, are you Victorian?
CP: “Yeah I actually live in Mount Beauty so it’s a bit of a travel to get around, but it’s good.”
Q: What position do you see yourself playing? Midfield again or a mix?
CP: “Definitely midfield. But I reckon a rotation either forward or maybe half-back or something.”
Q: What do you see as some of your strengths?
CP: “Definitely my contested ball work and below knee level. My endurance and my explosiveness is definitely something I’ve been working on with Tim Madden.”
Q: What do you want to improve on at the moment?
CP: “My weakness is probably my contested marking, I need to improve on that a bit, but working on it.”
Q: Who’s had the most influence on your career?
CP: “Definitely Tim Madden and (Bushrangers coach) Tyson Saunders and the whole Bushies staff have really turned it around. But definitely Tim Madden, he’s my high performance person I see outside of footy.”
Q: Which AFLW club do you support?
CP: “Carlton.”
Q: Is there a reason? Just family?
CP: “Yeah just family, and I love Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh. I try and play my game around them.”
Q: Which players do you look up to or model your game on?
CP: “Monique Conti, she’s a really strong midfielder. Then again Patrick Cripps, Walsh, Jagga Smith now.”
Q: What goals do you set for yourself this year?
CP: “To try and get drafted top 10 in the AFLW Draft.”
