AS PART of a new series leading into the 2023 Western Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s season, we count down 23 players to watch who are under 23. We are only looking at those players who were born January 1, 2000 or later, have played a WAFL Women’s senior match and have never been on an AFL Women’s list. Today we continue our countdown at number #12 in West Perth rebounding defender, Liliana Grassenis.

#12 Liliana Grassenis (West Perth)

DOB: 18/12/2005
Height: 177cm
Position: Key Defender
Local club: Joondalup Kinross

Stepping up against far more experienced players last season, key defender Liliana Grassenis learnt plenty of valuable lessons in the West Perth back 50. Though the team was often under siege, Grassenis was able to stand up and impress aerially despite only being 16 years-old throughout the season. A late December birth suggests there is much improvement to come from the 177cm player who will play a key role for the Falcons and Western Australia in 2023.

In the 2022 WAFL Women’s season, Grassenis averaged 9.6 disposals, 1.6 marks and 4.6 tackles, providing a presence both in the air and at ground level. While some fundamentals such as her kicking could further improve, the harder aspects to master – her intercept marking and reading the play – are very impressive for her age. She is a player who can play a defensive role, or rebound out of the back 50, and though not a huge production player due to having to often play a nullifying role, she still manages to find the ball.

For her state, Grassenis played the AFLW Under 17 Championships in 2021, where she picked up the 12.5 disposals per game, before slotting into the Under 18s squad last year as a bottom-ager. There she averaged the six disposals, two marks and three tackles per game. As one of the key talls heading into 2023, expect the West Perth defender to be given some big jobs for the Sandgropers at the national carnival, and test herself against some of the best in the country.

This year Grassenis will have more support in the defensive 50 to be able to simplify her role for the Falcons, and perhaps have more freedom to win the ball and not be under as much pressure with that support around her. Though her kicking is the next step to improve, her aerial prowess – in any condition – is a clear standout trait that will have plenty of spectators and clubs taking note of the 17-year-old.