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 Perth forward Mel Grage who had a breakout 2025 campaign for the Demons and Western Australia.

Perth, Western Australia GirlsMedium Forward

Mel Grage

Height: 165cm

Weight: -

DOB: 28-03-2008

Positional Analysis

A tenacious forward who can impact both offensively and defensively, Grage came along in leaps and bounds throughout 2025. She was no guarantee to play in the Perth League side, but after impressing in her first game, held her place throughout the season and ran out in 11 games, only missing due to national championships commitments.

Grage is a natural forward with the way she pressures the opposition and lock the ball inside the arc, but has the running capacity to work up the ground and back. She could slot into the defensive 50 as well, but the forward 50 is where she makes a huge difference.

2025 Stats

WAFLW | 6.5 disposals | 1.6 marks | 4.5 tackles | 1.8 inside 50s | 8 goals (11 games)

AFLW U18s | 4.5 disposals | 1.8 marks | 7.0 tackles | 1.0 inside 50s | 1 goal (4 games)

Key Strengths

Grage’s defensive pressure stand out, with all bar two games seeing her record three or more tackles, including two matches of eight or nine tackles at WAFLW level. Alongside her pressure, she can still get the ball in her hands and set her teammates up, and while Perth was not the highest scoring side during its inaugural season, Grage still booted eight goals, all of which came across seven of her last eight games.

For a 165cm talent, Grage is strong in the air and compete with bigger defenders, but her advantage is once the ball hits the deck she can pounce and make a mess of her opponent. Though not as explosive as some others, Grage is very nimble and can evade opponents by getting out of traffic well.

2026

Looking ahead to this season and Grage is set to further consolidate her place in both Perth and Western Australia’s front half. She adds that vital forward half pressure which is always a buzz for coaches and fans, while having the capacity to consistently hit the scoreboard. If she can find more of the ball and build her tank a little more, then she can impact further afield more consistently as well.

Summary

Mel Grage is a player who you know exactly what to expect. She will tackle and put her body on the line consistently, and compete with bigger opponents one-on-one or once it hits the deck. Grage showed promising signs for the Demons last season, and it lead into the national championships. If she can have a similar rise through the ranks in 2026, watch out.