WESTERN Australia’s Under 18s squad got a nice warm-up ahead of the 2025 AFLW Under 18s National Championships first match on Sunday when the Sandgropers overcame reigning premiers Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium. The Black Swans conceded the first two goals of the game in the opening term, but clicked into gear after that and secured a 6.9 (45) to 2.6 (18) victory.

We took note of just some of the players who caught the eye in the match. The Sandgopers were missing five of their six National Academy members in Mia Russo, Olivia Crane, Evie Cowcher, Alicia Blizard and Alira Fotu, as well as Swan Districts speedster Sienna Gerardi.

#2 Mel Grage (Perth)
Forward | 165cm | 28/03/2008

The inclusion to the state squad was a lively type in the front half, roaming to half-forward and presenting well for a medium-sized forward. She showed her forward craft in the third term when grabbing it off hands front and centre at the top of the goalsquare and kicking truly. She had another shot that went side, but continually lead-up at the football which was great to see. Grage also showed defensive intent which was also important.

#3 Lucy Greenwood (East Perth)
Midfielder/Wing | 163cm | 23/03/2007

The East Perth talent showed off her evasion techniques and smarts with several sidesteps or smart moves to get out of trouble. She won a couple of centre stoppages as well with a burst from congestion then lace-out kick forward, but unfortunately the Claremont defence kept playing in front. Greenwood is the type of player who does not need a lot of touches to standout and that was the case here, still finding plenty of it, but her brilliance in escaping would-be tacklers really stands out. At one point her ability to change direction on the wing was ridiculous, with a one-two handball then kicked to half-forward.

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

Playing against her WAFLW side, Gilbey gave the defenders a few headaches. She set up a goal to Nomlatyu and worked up and down the ground so well. Her huge tank and elite speed enables her to work over opponents and she was very unlucky not to hit the scoreboard given her running patterns. Still, she had a couple more score assists and her sidestep during the second term set up the first Wolmarans goal. Her vision and execution allowed the Black Swans to get the momentum going through the second term forward.

#8 Charli Bassett (East Perth)
Forward | 158cm | 19/11/2008

Another bottom-age forward who adds that touch of class as well as toughness, Bassett was part of that mosquito fleet up forward, and she was lively throughout the match. Her brilliant run-down tackle on Jayme Harken in the second term was a highlight, and later in the match, Bassett showed some nice dancing feet to sidestep an opponent on the mark inside 50 and kick deep to the hotspot. Adds a nice point of difference at half-forward and continued her really solid WAFLW form.

#12 Mia Carlshausen (Perth)
Defender | 169cm | 10/04/2008

The skilful ball user was tasked with the kickouts in the game but also provided important intercepting from behind the ball. She produced a great spoil early though then she dove onto the ball and was pinged for dragging it in. She continued to use the ball fairly well out of the back half and gaining important distance on her kicks. Won a couple of free kicks late in the game too. One-on-one, Carlshausen loves the back position to nudge her opponents under it before marking too.

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

Started on-ball and essentially played through the midfield throughout the match. She showed strength on the inside, shrugged would-be tacklers and released well by hand. Took a couple of juggling marks during the third term, and though not explosive has such a great awareness around the stoppage, sidestepping opponents to kick forward. Her work in tandem with D’Addario on-ball is very strong and the pair will make a key duo from that first-possession winning aspect. She can also go outside and may well do that when the likes of Russo or Juliet Kelly are on the inside.

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

Was clearly the most prolific midfielder on the day, having the ball on a string consistently throughout the four quarters. The Swan Districts midfielder hardly plays a bad game and her ability to read the ball off hands at stoppages is sublime. That, along with her clean hands at ground level and execution through traffic make her a vital player for the West Australian side. She is yet to play at the national championships, and will certainly add great value on-ball. When not burrowing herself on the inside, she is strong overhead and competes against just about anyone. With any time and space can use the ball and has the footy IQ and awareness which enables her to dispose of the pill quickly too.

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

The sole multiple goalkicker on the day, Wolmarans indicated she is set for another huge carnival with her work rate up the ground and ability to gain separation on the lead really standing out. She dropped a few marks she would normally take, but once she got front position, did well to protect the ball drop and time her leads effectively. Kicked the first goal of the game from close range off a handball receive, then slotted a second from a juggling mark 25m out just a few minutes later. Wolmarans completed her day with a long-range goal in the fourth term, as part of a series of shots from distance. Largely played as that roaming centre half-forward with some stints deep.

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

Louvel-Finn has been a rock for East Fremantle this season and she was for the Under 18s side too. Reading the play exceptionally well, the Sharks youngster dropped into the hole and knew when to peel off her opponent or remain accountable. Was particularly busy early when the side was under siege, taking a number of strong marks and delivering cleanly down the ground. Will be a key player out of that back 50 for the Sandgropers at the national championships.

#31 Cara Dziegielewski (West Perth)
Ruck/Forward | 180cm | 19/04/2008

Starting in the ruck then rotating forward, Dziegielewski can find plenty of the ball around the ground and even if she does not win it, gets involved defensively too. She won a number of key clearances and tries to keep the ball in motion. Up forward she soccered it off the deck then picked it up and set up Rikisha Nannup for a goal. Presented further afield as well, though her best role is in the ruck where she can get involved around the ball and get clean hands down to her midfielders thanks to her huge vertical leap.

#40 Avuya Nomlatyu (East Fremantle)
Forward/Ruck | 183cm | 10/10/2008

The left-footed tall is one of the few yet to debut at WAFLW level but showed plenty of upside in the match against Claremont with her ability to compete one-on-one and take it out of the air. On a few occasions when moved into the ruck, Nomlatyu pulled it down and threw it on her trusty left boot to gain distance and clear the immediate area. She started forward where she marked and slotted a goal from 15m out.