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 continue 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 West Perth top-age utility Lunay Van Den Heever who will look to add to her three League games in 2025.

West Perth

Lunay Van Den Heever

Height: 170cm

Weight: -

DOB: 20-06-2008

Positional Analysis

Van Den Heever is ultra versatile and has the flexibility to play up either end of the field, particularly off the flanks. She only played the three WAFLW games last season, but was a mainstay in the Falcons’ run to yet another flag in the Rogers Cup, playing 15 games. Van Den Heever has the power and strength to match it with senior opponents and in time with further endurance could have stints in the midfield.

2025 Stats

WAFLW | 13.0 disposals | 2.7 marks | 4.0 tackles | 1.0 inside 50s | 3 goals (3 games)

AFLW U18s | DNP

Key Strengths

Van Den Heever averaged a goal per game at League level last season playing forward, and will likely play the role that her sister Kayla started with when she first appeared at WAFLW level. While her older sibling has moved on to more midfield minutes at times, the pair could still combined inside the forward 50 arc.

The younger of the siblings boasts similar power to her sister, and competes well in the air standing at 170cm. She is fierce at groundlevel and will defend the arc as well as being able to hit the scoreboard as she did in 2025. For the Sandgropers, it is likely she will be exposed to multiple positions, so could well get that half-back role as well as half-forward, and further illustrate her versatility.

2026

Looking ahead to 2026, Van Den Heever has the potential to slot straight into a West Perth side that has really prompted its talented youth stocks over the last couple of seasons. Coming into her top-age campaign, Van Den Heever has already represented the Multicultural Academy and was named best on ground in that game, so is well positioned for a massive season.

With further improvements to come in her tank, Van Den Heever can impact more consistently and for longer with the focus squarely on building that endurance. Watch for her to be an impact player, and add a little bit of X-factor to West Perth’s front half.

Summary

Lunay Van Den Heever is one of five top-age West Perth players in the State Academy, and after featuring for the League side in the practice match last weekend, will likely look to cement her spot in the senior team. She is a player who has some eye-catching talent and can go to another level this year.