BACK for another year, Rookie Me Central’s 24 to Watch in 2024 returns and this year, the focus is on underage players, being those who are yet to have an AFLW Draft chance. For the list of 2024, it will range between players who are predominantly 2006 (top-age) and 2007-born likely to take the WAFL Women’s by storm or set themselves up for the future.

South Fremantle’s Molly O’Hehir is one of those players with a glass ceiling. For a player of her size and athleticism, it is rare that she can also be a potent user of the ball and do so much damage on-field wherever she plays.

MOLLY O’HEHIR PROFILE

DOB: 24/05/2006
Height: 179cm
Position: Tall Utility
Club: South Fremantle

SUMMARY

O’Hehir is a young gun who is fun to watch because of the way she takes grass and looks to drive the ball forward wherever possible. Boasting strong hands and a great leap, O’Hehir is as reliable as they come in the air, but has the speed and defensive pressure to get the job done at ground level too. Once she has the ball in her possession, she generally makes good decisions and can hit targets consistently.

Over the past two seasons at WAFL Women’s level, O’Hehir’s production rate has fluctuated, but her talent has never been in question. Even if she is not winning a lot of the ball, she has all the traits that get recruiters excited. From leaping high to running fast, taking the game on with an aggressive style, and being able to play across all three lines, it is hard not to like the potential that O’Hehir offers.

Having grown three centimetres to 179cm now, O’Hehir is of genuine key position height, but moves like a small-to-medium player. She reads the ball well in flight, so it is no surprise that settling at half-back – where she played at the AFLW Under 18 Championships and Under 17 Futures game, is where she believes she plays her best footy.

O’Hehir is just as capable at half-forward, through the middle or on a wing, and she averaged 13.7 disposals, 2.0 marks, 2.7 inside 50s and 3.3 rebound 50s to earn All-Australian honours at the national carnival as a bottom-ager. Loaded with more experience and skills after being rightfully included in the AFLW Academy, expect O’Hehir to take her game to another level in 2024.

WAFLW 24 TO WATCH IN 2024:

>> #3 Claudia Wright (Claremont)
>> #4 Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder)
>> #5 Mia Russo (West Perth)
>> #6 Renee Morgan (South Fremantle)
>> #7 Olivia Crane (Subiaco)
>> #8 Natasha Entwistle (East Fremantle)
>> #9 Noa McNaughton (South Fremantle)
>> #10 Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)
>> Taya Chambers (East Fremantle)
>> Carys D’Addario (Swan Districts)
>> Jorja Haines (Peel Thunder)
>> Megan Norbury (West Perth)
>> Juliet Kelly (Claremont)
>> Kaitlyn Roper (West Perth)
>> India Bonadeo (Claremont)
>> Tiani Teakle (East Fremantle)
>> Dakota Sexton (Peel Thunder)
>> Alira Fotu (South Fremantle)
>> Holly Britton (Peel Thunder)
>> Jasmine Bazeley (South Fremantle)
>> Sienna Gerardi (Swan Districts)
>> Grace Freeman (East Fremantle)