ANOTHER season of WAFLW Women’s action is just around the corner, with the season kicking off on March 28. As we did with the SANFL Women’s competition, Rookie Me Central will count down 15 players to watch in the upcoming year, focusing on either top-age or bottom-age prospects to keep in mind.

We kick off our top 15 players to watch countdown – which will run over the three weeks to finish on the eve of the WAFL Women’s season – with high-upside ruck-forward Avuya Nomlatyu who got a taste of national championships action last year.

Western Australia GirlsRuck Forward

Avuya Nomlatyu

Height: 183cm

Weight: -

DOB: 10-10-2008

Positional Analysis

Nomlatyu stands at 183cm so is a good height for a key position player. Rotating with Cara Dziegielewski at the national championships last season, the East Fremantle tall can play both forward and ruck, with the former likely to be where she ends up more often than not. Though yet to debut for the Sharks at senior level, no doubt that will not be far away, as she continues to progress through the pathways.

2025 Stats

WAFLW | Yet to debut

AFLW U18s | 7.8 disposals | 0.5 marks | 10.0 hitouts | 3.3 tackles | 1.0 clearances | 1.5 inside 50s | 2 goals (4 games)

Key Strengths

Nomlatyu’s game is centered around her sheer strength, with her towering presence a real handful for most opponents. She is strong overhead and will use her body at ground level, and while she will continue to develop her marking, she presents well and has a powerful kick to-boot.

Alongside her evident strengths, Nomlatyu’s ability to play both forward and ruck certainly helps, making her a versatile tall who can impact in a number of positions. Developing the rest of her athletic game, expect her to come along in leaps and bounds in her top-age season, working well bottom-age All-Australian Dzielgielewski at state level.

2026

As mentioned, Nomlatyu can still develop areas of her game to become a more well-rounded player in her top-age season. With further improvements through both her marking and athleticism, she can be even more of a threat around the ground and in contests, because once she has the ball, she is damaging with it.

Boasting a powerful kick that can clear defensive zones, she can be that key target inside 50 for both club and state, and having some minutes through the middle will also get her hands on the ball too. Watch for her to cement her spot in the Sharks’ WAFLW lineup.

Summary

Avuya Nomlatyu spent the season developing in Rogers Cup and booted nine goals across her first five games for the Sharks in 2025. She had a really solid national championships, and was in the East Fremantle League side against West Perth over the weekend. Given her presence and power, expect her to be a key youngster to watch throughout 2026.