AFTER injury plagued her last two national championships, West Australian Carys D’Addario showed what she is capable with some continuity in her game. Winning her state’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), earning All-Australian honours and then finishing second in Swan Districts’ WAFLW best and fairest, it has undoubtedly been an all-round successful year for the top-ager.

“Obviously it was great to get the continuity, that was my goals coming into it so I was happy that I was able to produce some good quality footy and I really enjoyed this year,” D’Addario said. “Not only with the state girls, but with my Swans girls as well. I think we a had a successful year, both sides so really happy.”

D’Addario said she was “super honoured and grateful” to be named MVP of her state, and then went back to help Swan Districts reach a grand final from third spot. A finals series the teenager described as “awesome”.

“I think people might have seen us as underdogs, but I went into it knowing that we could definitely do it, we had that belief and not many people get to play finals,” D’Addario said. “It was a really cool experience and I’m proud of the way we went about it. “Shame not to come away with the win, but I think we went really well, so really happy.”

D’Addario created a slice of history herself a week earlier when she kicked her first goal for the 2025 WAFL Women’s season in the preliminary final. Receiving the ball out the back of congestion near the 50, D’Addario launched off a couple of steps and watched it sail home which kick-started a brilliant start for the Swans against Subiaco.

“I think coming from the changerooms and out, the energy was really high,” D’Addario said. “I thought that kind of got me into the game and it was exciting because I hadn’t kicked a goal for Swans yet this season. “So everyone got around it and then once that happened I think that brought me into the game especially.”

The potential first round draft prospect has shot up after her season that was, and she credits her performance not just with an ability to remain on the park, but also her outside game development.

“Just getting that continuity and being able to run out full games and I feel like being clean is one of my strengths as well, but I’m really working on my outside game as well, so outside the contest,” D’Addario said. “I had games in this season where I felt like I was doing it. “Something that I’m still working on but something I definitely feel I’ve improved on from last season.”

Having just completed the facets of the National Draft Combine from interviews to the physical components, D’Addario conceded it was “a bit nervewracking” but at the same time “exciting”.

“It’s a great opportunity just to be here with all the clubs and I really look forward to all the interviews and just being here with all the girls and just absorbing the experience,” the Swan Districts talent said. “It’s really good and cool that we’re at the MCG as well I think that’s really cool.”

It will be a more relaxed time for D’Addario in the lead-up to December’s AFL Women’s Draft, with the 18-year-old finished school and just working at the moment.

“I’ll just use this time to spend time with friends and family and have a bit of a break, but then preseason will start back up and pretty much straight back into it and just trying to get myself ready, but not think about too many things at the same time,” she said.

With the AFL Women’s Draft now fully national, D’Addario has thought about the potential of relocating, and said she would be comfortable at home or abroad.

“It would be nice to stay at home with family, but I would go anywhere, I think you’ve got to take opportunities and I would just be grateful and happy to go wherever. I have thought about it and I’d go anywhere,” D’Addario said.