2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Heidi Ireland
PEEL Thunder prospect Heidi Ireland had a memorable bottom-age season in 2025, predominantly playing WAFL Women’s League football, while also making the West Australian Under 18s state side. Mostly deployed as a defender who could also be a stronger body in the midfield, Ireland has a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits. We spoke […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Scarlet Gallo
SUBIACO top-ager Scarlet Gallo got a taste for WAFL Women’s League action last season when she played six matches at the top West Australian flight, while also building her game through the Rogers Cup (10 matches). The forward/midfielder was elevated into the WA summer squad leading into 2026, and is hoping to go to another […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Cara Dziegielewski
AN ALL-AUSTRALIAN at bottom-age level, Cara Dziegielewski is one of the leading West Australians in this year’s AFLW Draft. Alongside close friend Lexi Strachan, the West Perth duo form two thirds of the Sandgropers’ National AFLW Academy talent. We spoke to Dziegielewski at the WAFLW Preseason Testing day about her football journey, experiences through the […]
Preseason Q&A: Benji van Rooyen (Claremont)
CLAREMONT ruck Benji van Rooyen continues to grow heading into his top-age season, both on and off the field. Now standing at an imposing 203cm, he will hope to follow in the footsteps of his two elder brothers who traversed the same footballing pathway before him. With brother Jacob currently on Melbourne’s books, van Rooyen […]
Preseason Q&A: Garrison Kenh (East Perth)
HAVING seen its club-tied talent spread across the competition in last year’s draft, West Coast will hope to hold onto its latest Next Generation Academy (NGA) star in Garrison Kenh. The soccer convert is a Carlton fan who models his game on Adam Saad, boasting similar speed and dare off half-back. The 182cm athletic phenom […]
Preseason Q&A: Lucas Robinson (South Fremantle)
A RICHMOND supporter initially in West Coast’s zone, but now a Fremantle Next Generation Academy (NGA) member who idolises Nat Fyfe. That’s the unique journey Lake Grace native Lucas Robinson hopes to take to the top as he embarks on his top-age season in 2026. The midfielder helped Hale School take out the Alcock Cup […]
Preseason Q&A: Koby LeCras (West Perth)
WEST Australian draft prospect Koby LeCras grew up a West Coast supporter, where his uncle Mark forged an impressive 219-game career. His father Brent also played six games at North Melbourne, though the 192cm forward is not officially tied to either club. LeCras possesses similar goalkicking prowess to his uncle, presenting as a mobile marking […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Mel Grage (Perth)
TENACIOUS small forward Mel Grage had a breakout year in 2025, surpassing even the bottom-ager’s expectations. Only predicting she’d run out for Perth in the Rogers Cup, Grage finished the season as a lock in the League side, as well as representing Western Australia on the national stage. Now back in the WA summer squad, […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Avuya Nomlatyu
EAST Fremantle tall Avuya Nomlatyu is searching for her WAFL Women’s League debut in 2026, having played through the Rogers Cup last season, and then secured her place in the State Under 18s side. There she teamed up with West Perth ruck Cara Dziegielewski through the ruck, and the duo look set to combine once […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Charli Bassett
A PROMISING junior with plenty of upside, East Perth’s Charli Bassett had a breakout bottom-age campaign to show signs of what she could become in 2026. Deployed in a number of roles from forward to the wing and even on-ball at times, the West Australian representative earned her place in the summer squad and looms […]
