DESPITE not coming away with a win at the national championships last year, the Sandgropers unearthed a host of bottom-age talents who will lead the state’s title-tilt in what looms as their best crop of draft prospects in history.

>> FULL SQUAD: Western Australia names 2025 AFLW U18s squad

NATIONAL ACADEMY MEMBERS:

Alicia Blizard (East Fremantle)
Tall Forward | 174cm | 15/11/2007

The ultra-athletic tall forward looms as one of a number of targets inside 50 having impressed as a bottom-ager in last year’s national championships. Boasting some of the best defensive pressure for a player of her height, Blizard is still working on her aerial ability but is never out of the contest thanks to her ground level play and natural goal sense.

Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder)
Tall Defender | 173cm | 03/08/2007

Unfortunately back stress fractures put Cowcher’s WAFLW season on ice for now, playing four games before taking it easy ahead of the national campaign. She has two West Australian MVPs in the bank already and is a crucial player to the Sandgropers’ backline. A strong of an interceptor as they come, she has a booming kick to match her velcro-like hands.

Olivia Crane (Subiaco)
Tall Defender | 179cm | 08/10/2007

Returning successfully from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Crane picked up where she left off in the Lions’ defence, often acting as that loose defender who can read the play well and chop off forward forays. She can neutralise an opponent which makes her such a valuable two-way defender, and has the aerial ability and kicking skills to do a lot of damage downfield.

Alira Fotu (South Fremantle)
Tall Forward | 178cm | 17/09/2007

Fotu is set to play her first WAFLW game for South Fremantle this year on the weekend so will have a delayed start to her national campaign. She has been recovering from a knee injury of late and juggled her football and basketball commitments over the summer. While she has not played a lot of hte former in 2025, she still looms as an exciting talent for the Sandgropers.

Mia Russo (West Perth)
Midfielder | 162cm | 06/08/2007

An explosive midfielder who won the Under 16s MVP two years ago at the National Development Championships, Russo has been a permanent fixture in the Falcons midfield through the 2025 WAFLW season. Hampered by injury through the national carnival 12 months ago and only playing one game, the talented onballer is looking to get back to her best in her top-age campaign.

Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)
Key Forward | 180cm | 02/09/2007

Wolmarans is a big game player and ready to assert herself on the competition once more. Booting more goals than any other West Australian as a bottom-ager 12 months ago, she has maintained that form through the 2025 WAFLW season. Capable overhead and at ground level, she possesses a massive threat to any opponent and will be a key figure for the Sandgropers inside 50.

TOP-AGE/OVER-AGE TALENTS:

Melinda Bobby (South Fremantle)
Defender | 170cm | 03/07/2006

Deservedly earning a spot in the squad due to outstanding form, Bobby did not play in the trial game but remains an option for the state side. She provides competitiveness one-on-one and can play on a range of opponents as well. With South Fremantle having plenty of change throughout the season, Bobby has been one of the constants and will be a valuable addition to the Sandgropers.

Carys D’Addario (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 168cm | 01/03/2007

After missing last year’s national championships, the strong inside ball-winner will lineup in the middle for the Sandgropers and be a constant presence on the inside. She is already one of the most prolific ball-winners at WAFL Women’s level and has been touted as one of the readymade prospects in the draft. She can push forward as well, but will do her best work at the coalface with a truckload of clearances.

Eva Flynn (South Fremantle)
Forward | 165cm | 18/09/2007

An athletic and exciting forward, Flynn has some smart skills and great goal sense that enables her to weave onto her left foot and create some magic. Still developing her game to become even better, she has found a home in the Bulldogs’ attack at WAFLW level, and works up the ground to in order to add a point of difference on the wing or around the stoppage when in the forward half.

Sienna Gerardi (Swan Districts)
Forward | 163cm | 16/10/2007

There is explosive and then there is Gerardi. The talented basketballer has ridiculous wheels that when she gets goalside, it is goodluck and goodnight to any defender trying to catch her. Has dabbled a little up the ground and could spend some time on the wing, but has the goal sense and footy IQ to be that crumber at the feet of all those tall forwards inside 50.

Ella Gilbey (Claremont)
Forward | 170cm | 12/02/2007

Gilbey is another incredible athlete, blowing up the numbers at the West Australian Preseason Testing event. Well balanced from her speed to athleticism and endurance, Gilbey will likely play forward with some stints up the ground to add her explosiveness around the ball. She can kick some nice goals and has had some big games for Claremont this season, building on her consistency.

Lucy Greenwood (East Perth)
Forward/Wing | 163cm | 23/03/2007

Got to represent Western Australia as a bottom-ager last year and has been around the mark in terms of draft prospects sitting just outside the National Academy, Greenwood is another exciting speedster. She has elite agility and great vision and decision making skills, while being clean as a whistle at ground level. Watch for her to rotate between forward and the wing – maybe even inside – with her skills on display.

Emma Henderson (Claremont)
Defender | 165cm | 14/10/2006

Another over-ager who earned a call-up off the back of sustained form in the WAFL Women’s, Henderson has held her place for the unbeaten Tigers. Playing all nine matches in the 2025 season, she is averaging 11.4 disposals and 4.1 tackles per game, adding some key pressure out of the back half. Expect her to play a role on an opposition forward throughout the carnival.

Zoe Keley (South Fremantle)
Ruck/Forward | 183cm | 14/12/2006

Back for another year to add some important tall depth to the state side, Keley looms as a long-term prospect with some draftable traits. She is only a few weeks off being a top-ager and can rotate into the ruck or being an additional target forward which can take a key defender and open up the possibilities for others too. Has experience that will be key for the Sandgropers.

Juliet Kelly (Claremont)
Midfielder/Defender | 173cm | 28/07/2007

Made headlines with her ridiculous 48-disposal game this season against East Perth, and has been a ray of consistency since coming into the team. Boasting elite endurance, Kelly can play inside, outside or at half-back with a tank that works over any opponent. Highly rated internally given her dedication and ability to fulfil any role handed to her, she is another who was injured last year but has a chance here.

Maya Louvel-Finn (East Fremantle)
Defender | 169cm | 20/03/2007

One of the most consistent players in the WAFLW throughout 2025, Louvel-Finn has done her draft chances no harm this year as a pivotal interceptor and rebounder for the Sharks. She can compete in the air or at ground level, generally uses the ball well by hand or foot and her second and third efforts are fantastic. Watch for her to have freedom with ball in hand while remaining accountable too.

Renee Morgan (South Fremantle)
Midfielder | 169cm | 04/05/2007

One of the major players to watch outside the National Academy members, Morgan is such a well-balanced prospect. With few flaws other than her speed, Morgan is neat on both sides of her body, can win the inside or outside ball, make her teammates better and apply fantastic defensive pressure. With much more matchplay behind her heading into these championships, she is one to watch.

Addison Opalinski (Perth)
Defender/Wing | 175cm | 29/11/2007

A tall hybrid defender who can play a key role on a tall or small, as well as push up to a wing, Opalinski has nice athleticism for a player of her size. She is raw, but has a booming kick and done a great job often under pressure for the Demons this season. Opalinski has potential to grow her game and could fulfil a number of roles. Did represent Perth instead of the trial match last weekend however.

Sunni-Quay Peters (Subiaco)
Defender/Wing | 174cm | 29/01/2007

Was earmarked as one to watch at Under 16s level two years ago, but unfortunately missed last year’s national championships. Finally getting her chance at WAFLW level, Peters has been able to hold down a place in Subiaco’s unbeaten side mostly in defence, but also spending time up on a wing. At 174cm with athleticism, Peters can play on talls or smalls and match up well.

Layla Quinn-Schofield (Subiaco)
Forward | 166cm | 27/07/2007

The damaging left-footer is one of the most penetrating and piercing kicks in the draft crop. When she can wheel onto her preferred side going inside 50, she will often nail a pass to a leading target or put it into a dangerous position. Quinn-Schofield has had midfield minutes this season so is an option in there as a point of difference, but will most likely play at half-forward.

Ava Stewart (Swan Districts)
Tall Utility | 180cm | 25/11/2007

A versatile tall who has shown she can play at either end, Stewart possesses nice athleticism that also enables her to play on smaller opponents as well. Capable of competing strongly in the air, she backs up with some nice groundlevel play and will be one who can switch end-to-end when required or the Sandgropers need a different look for their setups.

Sienna Timmermans (Perth)
Defender | 175cm | 18/03/2006

Another over-age addition to the squad, Timmermans has been a lock in Perth’s inaugural side this season behind the ball and just playing her role. She has been tasked with some big jobs and that may well be the case again, with the netballer another crosscode player who is only in her first season of WAFLW this year so could be a surprise packet.

BOTTOM-AGE TALENTS:

Western Australia is a top-age prominent squad, but still boasts 10 bottom-age talents who are not eligible until 2026. The headliner from the group is West Perth midfielder Lexi Strachan who has thrived in the Falcons’ midfield, while Cara Dziegielewski has been palming the ball down to her consistently holding down the number one ruck role in such a young side. The Falcons have a third bottom-ager in the team in Rikisha Nannup which is the most of any side.

Other consistent WAFL Women’s players are defenders, Marie Polimeno (South Fremantle) and Mia Carlshausen (Perth), while their respective teammates Shaya Yarran and Mel Grage were inclusions to the initial summer squad. Peel Thunder utility Heidi Ireland, East Fremantle forward/midfielder Charli Bassett and East Fremantle tall Avuya Nomlatyu complete the squad.

FIXTURES

Round 1: vs. Queensland | Sun June 22 @ RSEA Park
Round 2: vs. South Australia | Sun June 29 @ Revo Fitness Stadium
Round 3: vs. Vic Metro | Sun July 6 @ TBC (Western Australia)
Round 4: vs. Allies | Sat July 19 @ Blacktown International Sportspark